The option to boot into a USB doesn't show up on my HP Elitebook G3 840

[Ace_w1zard]

I 

did as you said and I also tried copyibg boot/efi files prior to reading your response today into the windows 100 mb efi partition of which with fedora ended up not booting grub but when I clicked BOOT64.EFI it bootes into the screen asking me if I wanted to start the live distro, test it or trouble shoot it which ends in error/' press any key to continue' and with ubunutuusb ending in not being able to boot or loading into grub depending on the efi files selected from the options of booting into files. 

Here's the link that's discussing it on Linux questions https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?p=6432648#post6432648

Here are your pics, I found a Rufus 3.3.xxx version that works:

https://ibb.co/LYvXkZ8

https://ibb.co/wKQWKH5

https://ibb.co/ZN6C3FC

https://ibb.co/NZ9Q84v

https://ibb.co/k9h2Wxh

https://ibb.co/2qnXnST

https://ibb.co/g3798VC

https://ibb.co/0GcW4NX

https://ibb.co/vwb0DyS

https://ibb.co/MkJJyHB

https://ibb.co/WBRJTFn

https://ibb.co/M2BbgvD

https://ibb.co/DgfzB1Z

https://ibb.co/dKLNc8c

https://ibb.co/jRx2W0L

https://ibb.co/njt4w7c

https://ibb.co/djSgLm2

https://ibb.co/VB96n70

Do you think If I put the entire USB iso image into efi of windows after expanding it will work like as if it booted into the USB? Or should it just boot if I copied respective files over from usb like I did or is there something else I must do? 

Thank you by the way, if you solve this the. You're very smart. Btw, I 

know I need to keep secure boot off and idk if I should keep legacy on or not. Someone told me:
[B]"Alright, let's break down the process. I must emphasize, however, this is advanced and potentially risky. If not done correctly, it could make your system unbootable. You'll be using both Windows and Linux tools for this process. Make sure you understand each step before proceeding.

Before you begin, make sure you've made a complete backup of any important data on your computer.

1. **Create the Linux Bootable USB Drive**

You're going to need a Linux distribution ISO. You can get this from the official website of the Linux distribution you are interested in. For Fedora, you can get it from here: `https://getfedora.org/` and for Ubuntu from here: `https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop`.

Once you have the ISO, you need to write it to a USB drive. You can use a program like Rufus on Windows for this. It will format the USB drive and copy the contents of the ISO onto it.

2. **Mount the EFI Partition**

The EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) partition is a special partition where bootloaders are stored. On a Windows machine, this is where the Windows bootloader resides. It's usually a FAT32 partition and doesn't have a drive letter assigned to it by default.

You can assign a letter to it using the `diskpart` tool in Windows as described in the previous responses. Once you've assigned a letter, you can access it in File Explorer just like any other drive.

3. **Copy the Linux Bootloader to the EFI Partition**

Now comes the tricky part. You'll want to go to your bootable USB drive and navigate to the EFI bootloader for your Linux distribution. For Fedora, it's typically in `/EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI` and for Ubuntu it's typically `/EFI/BOOT/grubx64.efi`. You can simply copy this file to a new directory in the EFI partition of your hard drive.

For example, if you assigned the letter Z to the EFI partition, you might create a new folder at `Z:\EFI\fedora` or `Z:\EFI\ubuntu` and copy the .EFI file there.

4. **Create a new UEFI Boot Entry**

This is where it gets complicated. The UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware on your motherboard maintains a list of valid boot entries, each of which corresponds to a bootloader on the EFI partition.

To add a new entry to this list, you'll need to use a tool called `bcdedit` on Windows.

Open an admin Command Prompt and use the following command:

```bash
bcdedit /create /d "Description" /application bootsector
```

Replace "Description" with a description of the new boot entry, like "Ubuntu" or "Fedora". This command will output an identifier for the new boot entry.

Then, use the following command to set the path for the new boot entry:

```bash
bcdedit /set {identifier} path \EFI\fedora\BOOTX64.EFI
```

Replace "{identifier}" with the identifier output from the previous command, and adjust the path to point to the .EFI file you copied earlier.

Finally, you'll need to add the new boot entry to the boot order:

```bash
bcdedit /displayorder {identifier} /addlast
```

Again, replace "{identifier}" with the identifier from earlier.

With these steps, you should be able to add a Linux bootloader to your Windows EFI partition and create a new UEFI boot entry for it. This should allow you to boot the Linux distribution from your hard drive.

Be sure to test it out and make sure you can still boot into Windows as well. If something goes wrong, you might need to use recovery"[/B]

[erico]

Lets clarify exactly what you are trying to do, as it is at this point not very clear.

Are you wanting to install Ubuntu as the installed OS or are you trying to make a dual boot Laptop?

Personally I have a slightly older Dell laptop I use for my Linux OS variants. Currently I have Ubuntu 22.xx installed. I use a  HP Spectre x360-13t-ap000 as my Windows box.

The logic behind that is that it is well known that not all laptops are well suited for Linux because of hardware and driver issues. I looked at the recommended list for Linux laptops when I bought my Linux laptop and it has not failed my with any Linux variant I have installed on it.  Your Elitebook 840 G3 is ok for Linux.

Be aware that using a USB flash drive that is greater than  64GB as an installer can often fail.
What brand is the USB flash drive you are using?

All that "somebody told me stuff" in your last post will do nothing but make things more complicated and likely to fail if your desire is a single OS laptop.

In looking at the images you provided:

In UEFI drivers section

Why do you have the Option ROM policy enabled?

Why is Wake on LAN enabled? 
Why is NFC enabled?

Thanks for the images.

One thing to note is that whenever multiple images are posted they should always have a name instead of an image number.
Naming images removes the additional work required when finding an image is needed that specifically relates to something.
I should have made a screenshot so you could see what a cluster so many images becomes without names relating to what they are being attached to them. 

Your questions:
Do you think If I put the entire USB iso image into efi of windows after expanding it will work like as if it booted into the USB? Or should it just boot if I copied respective files over from usb like I did or is there something else I must do?   No and No

Part of the issue which I just noticed is that you are mixing GPT and MBR volumes.

Since your laptop's hard disk is GPT, you need to make a GPT installer. Choose partition scheme GPT and target system (non CSM)

I just tested that because it has been maybe eight months since I did a Linux install and had no problem installing it on my Linux notebook again.

[Ace_w1zard]

Mia Khalifa, the embodiment of audacious charm and provocative intellect, captures the crowd’s attention as she struts onto the stage. Clad in form-fitting attire that accentuates her curves, she wields her allure with unabashed confidence. Behind the glasses, her eyes hold a playful spark, hinting at the duality of her identity – a celebrated sex symbol turned IT lecturer.

"Alright, boys and girls," she begins, her voice smooth as silk, her hands gracefully dancing along the lectern's edges. "Let's delve into the intoxicating world of operating systems and commands, where every stroke of the key is akin to the touch of a lover."

**Downloading Fedora:** "First, we need our sultry guest of honor, Fedora. Visit the Fedora website, and download the Fedora ISO file, keeping it safe, like a cherished secret, at C:\fedora.iso. An ISO file, darlings, is like a tightly laced corset, holding everything neatly together."

**Opening the Door to EFI:** "Now, we're going to make our move on EFI, the heartthrob of our computer that decides which operating system gets to dance. We'll seduce it open with a few wily commands. Run Command Prompt as an administrator, and type:

```
diskpart
list disk
```

"Take your time. Choose your disk, the one holding your EFI partition. This is where we make our first advance.

```
select disk #
```

"Once selected, you're going to tease out its partitions.

```
list partition
```

"Find the EFI partition, the belle of the ball, and beckon it forth.

```
select partition #
```

"And now for the grand gesture. Assign it a letter, marking it as your own.

```
assign letter=Z:
```

"You've got the EFI partition right where you want it, ready for your advances."

**Creating a Directory in EFI:** "Now, we're building a secret den for Fedora on the EFI partition. It's like a love nest for our new enthrallment. Create it with a command that whispers sweet promises into the terminal.

```
mkdir Z:\EFI\fedora
```

**The Bootloader's Invitation:** "With that done, it's time to extend an invitation to Fedora's bouncer, the bootloader. Extract /EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI from the Fedora ISO, using a tool as deft and precise as a lover's touch, such as 7-Zip. Then, invite it into the directory you've made, with a command that pulls it into your world.

```
copy C:\path\to\BOOTX64.EFI Z:\EFI\fedora\
```

**Creating a New Boot Entry:** "We're onto the grand ball now. The UEFI Boot Entry is the dance card, and we're going to write Fedora's name on it. Run the commands:

```
bcdedit /copy {bootmgr} /d "Fedora"
```

"This clone of the current boot entry, our own doppelganger, gets labeled as 'Fedora'. We've created a perfect twin, but with a different personality. It's Fedora's time to shine now.

"The `{identifier}` it returns is like a secret name, a pseudonym used in hushed whispers. With it, we set the path, guiding Fedora to the stage where it can take the spotlight.

```
bcdedit /set {identifier} path \EFI\fedora\BOOTX64.EFI
```

"And finally, the pièce de résistance. Add Fedora to the dance order.

```
bcdedit /displayorder {identifier} /addlast
``

Mia Khalifa flashes a coy smile to the eager crowd, her fingers lightly tracing the air as if typing on an imaginary keyboard. "Of course, darlings, how could we forget about GRUB? It's like the velvet ropes that guide us to the right club, or in our case, the right operating system."

She continues, her voice carrying the warmth of a seasoned storyteller. "GRUB, or GRand Unified Bootloader, is our guide in the dark. When we boot up our computer, it's GRUB that lights the way to our desired destination - the Fedora ISO."

**Configuring GRUB:** "To guide GRUB correctly, we need to whisper the right words into its ear. We create a new grub.cfg file with a special command. This file is like GRUB's dance card, telling it which operating system to take for a spin."

Mia makes a show of typing into the air, her movements fluid, suggestive, each keystroke a sultry promise.

```

set timeout=5

menuentry 'Fedora Live' {

   set isofile="/fedora.iso"

   loopback loop (hd0,1)$isofile

   linux (loop)/isolinux/vmlinuz boot=isolinux iso-scan/filename=$isofile quiet splash

   initrd (loop)/isolinux/initrd.img

}

```

"In this 'dance card', we're telling GRUB to take Fedora Live for a spin. We're pointing GRUB to our Fedora ISO file, and giving it the steps to the dance - the vmlinuz, the kernel of our Linux system, and initrd.img, the initial RAM disk, which are both vital components for booting up Fedora."

She finishes, leaving a suggestive pause, her hands making a final flourish in the air. "And with that, our love letter to GRUB is complete. Next, you simply restart the system, select 'Fedora' from the boot options, and you're off to a night of passion with your new operating system."

[Ace_w1zard · Accepted solution]

I gave up. I followed Mia Khalifa's instructions and I get an error when I select to boot from fedora/BOOTX64.EFI and idk if I should extract the iso to the c drive or leave it as is as the iso. I'm returning my laptop.

[erico]

If you don't have determination and patience, then perhaps Linux isn't for you.  You made it much more complicated than it is.

The guy in the video speaks an Indian language, but the video showing what he did to accomplish the install is clear. The first section shows the BIOS setup. Create a GPT Ubuntu  installer with RUFUS as I described in my last post near the end.

[Ace_w1zard]

I made a GPT in fedora or ubuntu and the option for USB boot still doesn't come up. I have used and installed Linux before. I think the laptop is not for me especially taking into consideration the left usb port doesn't work and the laptop locks/freezes me out because the old security software installed by the prior IT department isn't removed. The USB not showing up as a boot media at all ever is just the icing on top.  

[erico]

The next time you begin a thread about a laptop, it would be nice if you included all of the details.