Booting from ext SSD or USB key UBUNTU System

[askyr]

Booting UBUNTU from ext USB disk was possible till lately, but does not work any more after last win11 updates. The problem is possibly connected with the known dual boot linux-windows difficulty, but none of the suggested approaches works. My laptop has the last BIOS version and Win 11 Home 24H2. When i try  recovery booting with selection of the startup device, I get a diagnostic of "device failure". The ubuntu boot unit is not seen by BIOS. On an ASUS laptop with same settings, win11 and same update  level, UBUNTU booting works. The registry of the HP system does not have any SBAT key. Any suggestion?

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@askyr, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

Here's a structured approach to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem of your HP Notebook 15-ay103nl no longer booting Ubuntu from an external USB or SSD after the Windows 11 24H2 update:

Check BIOS Settings

• Disable Secure Boot:
  • Enter BIOS (press Esc → F10 at startup).
  • Navigate to System Configuration > Boot Options.
  • Disable Secure Boot and enable Legacy Support (if available).
• Enable USB Boot and ensure the USB device is prioritized in the boot order.

Recreate the Bootable USB

• Use Rufus with the following settings:
  • Partition scheme: GPT
  • Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
  • File system: FAT32
  • Use the latest Ubuntu ISO (e.g., 24.04 LTS).
• Alternatively, try balenaEtcher or Ventoy.

Test USB on Another System

• You mentioned it works on an ASUS laptop, this confirms the USB is likely fine.
• Still, try recreating it to rule out subtle compatibility issues.

Try GRUB Workaround

• On the GRUB screen, press e to edit the boot entry.
• Add nomodeset before quiet splash.
• Press Ctrl + X to boot.

Create a Custom UEFI Boot Entry

• Boot into Windows and use bcdedit or efibootmgr (from a live Linux session) to manually add a UEFI boot entry pointing to the Ubuntu bootloader (\EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi).

Check for USB Port Issues

• Try different USB ports (especially USB 2.0 vs 3.0).
• Avoid using USB hubs or extension cables. 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[askyr]

Max3Aj, Thanks!

It worked immediately, with Rufus and the parameters you suggested:  Ubuntu ISO was booted correctly.. 

One more question: The Grub screen you mention - the only one I have seen comes up on the ASUS, where Grub has been added to the "boot devices", if I select to boot from it. It wants some input,  it does not find the Ubuntu System loaded alongside a WinTOGO on the same external SSD. But then that UBUNTU system boots if I select the device associated with Ubuntu self.

For other people having difficulties, they should check if their windows system gets locked on the internal SSD or HDU, when the system is closed. This happened to me, confused a lot the issue, and was probably depending on the kind of "dirty" installation of my system win11. I made a clean one, and the system volume is not any more locked when the  system is closed.