Linux on HP Envy

[rudio]

Hi,

I replaced the 1 Gb WIN10 HDD with a brand new SSD to install Linux. However the Linux install failed dismally. Why?

I have done this with complete success on older laptops and desktops in the past.

I enabled the legacy mode in the setup utility, booted from usb cd/dvd drive from  a brand new Ubuntu dvd (16.4).

Could boot but not connect to WiFi or any network. Had to start by pressing Esc and then Enter, obviously a non

fuctional install.

Suspect I have to reinstall the old HDD and hope at least it will be ok as a WIN 10 machine again.

Any ideas out there, or will this be a futile effort.

Thanks Rudio

[Nate28B]

While I wouldn't say I'm an expert at LInux, I do make some use of its functions while in  Windows.  I have also successfully installed Ubuntu, dual booted with Windows, and resolved wifi, ethernet issues there.  I always suspected that Linux has a hard time picking up the wifi card because they are meant to use Windows drivers.

You may want to try installing in UEFI mode instead of legacy. Even if this isn't what you want permanantly, it will at least see if it is a bootable media problem or the like.

I looked up your machine's specifications but didn't see any reason why it wouldn't run Linux. For any doubt, you could do the  "Try Ubuntu before you Install"  thing at (https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/try-ubuntu-before-you-install) and dual boot with you Windows machine.  This isn't exactly as accurate as the literal "install LInux on the ssd and change everything on the bios, etc until it works" draconian option but would allow you to see if redoing the install media helps or make changing boot options easier.

And if the dual boot is stable we may be able to find out the wifi issue while we have a running system.

I can't quite remember how I got the wifi to work so I will set up my machine to dual boot also so I can see the problem on. I have also become rusty on Ubuntu's exact setup options because I usually use other flavors.

[rudio]

Thanks for the response Nate, but I installed it on a brandy new SSD, no dual boot here!

I have tried several installs  using the dvd. But they are not fully functional, I can also manage to get

a no bootable device found flag. 

If I eliminate legacy it won't install at all!  (Grub fails to install on the drive.) So I suspect

I ended up with a this is what it looks like version. I read somewhere thatmicrosoft

modifies the BIOS (EUFI I think today) to prevent Linux from working properly.

Very frustrating.

R

[Nate28B]

Sorry about the ambiguity in some of that.  I meant remountthe hard disk with windows on it and dual boot from within that. Again, I know it isn't ideal, and I know the windows safe boot, file system settings, etc garbage can be a real pain, and that's coming from someone who uses Windows most of the time.

I might have to think about the install media thing because it should work even easier with a brand new drive. And the windows garbled bios settings shouldn't (generally speaking) prevent a working install. They may however prevent certain Linux features from working.

I almost have the Ubuntu media ready on my system and will look for anything I can see with Windows 10 in the way.

[rudio]

Nate,

To add murk to the pot ... it is working!

I used another dvd and was able to load it properly!

Had to us legacy to read the usb dvd drive and enabled Virtualization Tech,

presto bango loaded fine.

Happy as a clam I am, took only 2 days.

Loads in a few seconds to Linux opening screen.

[Nate28B]

Well that's good! Make sure that the wifi is working though.