Install Ubuntu on HP Envy

[MonkeyFrog]

I am unable to install Ubuntu on this machine because of the RST setting in Device manager -> Storage Controllers. Can you tell me how I can change this to AHCI?

[Raj_05]

Hi @MonkeyFrog,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

To change the RST (Rapid Storage Technology) setting to AHCI on your HP Envy x360 Convertible 15 for installing Ubuntu, you'll need to adjust the BIOS settings. Here’s how to do it.

Back Up Your Data: Before making changes, ensure you back up any important data.

Access BIOS:

• Restart your laptop.
• Immediately press the Esc key repeatedly (about once every second) until you see the Startup Menu.
• Press F10 to enter the BIOS Setup.

Change SATA Mode:

• In the BIOS menu, navigate to the System Configuration tab.
• Look for an option labeled SATA Operation or similar.
• Change this setting from Intel RST or RAID to AHCI.

Save Changes:

• Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS.
• Confirm any prompts to save changes.

Boot from Ubuntu Installer:

• Insert your Ubuntu installation media (USB/DVD).
• Boot from it by selecting the appropriate option in the Startup Menu (usually by pressing F9 for boot options).

Install Ubuntu:

• Proceed with the Ubuntu installation as usual.

Note

• If you previously installed Windows with RST enabled, you may need to reinstall Windows after switching to AHCI, as the existing installation may not boot with the new setting.

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. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[MonkeyFrog]

Hi Alden4,

Many thanks for your prompt reply.

"Press F10 to enter the BIOS Setup. Change SATA Mode: In the BIOS menu, navigate to the System Menu"

From here there is only a menu option to go to UEFI Device Configuration.-> Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology.

Then there are two non-RAID Physical Disks:

SATA 0.2, ST1000LM049-2GH172 WGSxxxxx, 931.5GB

PCIe 1.0, INTEL MEMPEK1JO16GAH PHBTxxxxxxxxxxxx, 13.4GB

The first drive has Controller Type AHCI, Controller Interface SATA, which seems to be as required.

The second one has Controller Type NVMe, Controller Interface PCIe. This seems to be the start-up drive and what is giving Ubuntu a problem. It doesn't seem to be possible to change anything here.

Do you have any idea of what I can do to fix this? Maybe move the boot sector to the SATA drive if that is possible? If so, how?

Best regards,

MonkeyFrog

[Raj_05]

Hi @MonkeyFrog,

Thank you for your response, 

It sounds like the issue stems from Ubuntu's installation on a system with Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) and multiple drives (SATA and NVMe). Since you're encountering issues installing Ubuntu on the NVMe drive, one approach would be to switch the system from using RST to AHCI mode. However, if the system won't allow you to easily switch, or if there are issues with the NVMe drive, moving the boot sector to the SATA drive could be a workaround.

Here’s how you could proceed:

Switch from RST to AHCI Mode

RST can cause problems with Linux-based operating systems. Ubuntu struggles with NVMe drives in RAID/RST configurations, so ideally, you should disable RST.

Steps:

1. Enter your BIOS/UEFI by pressing F10 during boot.
2. If there is an option to disable "Intel Rapid Storage Technology" and switch to AHCI mode, select it for the NVMe drive.
   • Sometimes this is listed under Storage Configuration or SATA Operation Mode.
   • It could be locked due to OEM firmware restrictions.

Backup Important Data

Before making changes, back up any important data, especially if you are changing BIOS settings or moving boot partitions.

Try Boot Repair with Ubuntu Live USB

If you don't want to or can't switch to AHCI, try booting into a live Ubuntu session (from USB) and use Boot-Repair to attempt to fix the bootloader issues on the NVMe drive.

Steps:

• Boot into Ubuntu live session from USB.
• Open a terminal and install Boot-Repair:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair

• Launch Boot-Repair:

boot-repair
 

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the bootloader. It may install the GRUB bootloader onto the SATA drive.

Install Ubuntu on the SATA Drive

You can install Ubuntu on the SATA drive to avoid the NVMe issues entirely. During the installation:

Select the "Something else" option when asked where to install Ubuntu.

Choose your 931.5GB SATA drive for the installation.

Create a partition scheme if necessary, e.g.:

• / (root) partition for the main system files (ext4 format, ~50GB or more).
• /home partition for your personal files.
• Swap partition (optional, depending on your RAM size).

[Raj_05]

Install the GRUB bootloader on the SATA drive.

After installation, you should be able to boot Ubuntu from the SATA drive without issues.

Moving the Boot Sector to the SATA Drive (If Already Installed)

If Ubuntu is installed on the NVMe drive but you want to move the bootloader to the SATA drive:

• Boot into a live Ubuntu session.
• Open a terminal and list your partitions:

sudo fdisk -l

• Install GRUB to the SATA drive (assuming it’s /dev/sda):

sudo grub-install /dev/sda

• Update the GRUB configuration:

sudo update-grub

• Reboot, and in the BIOS, ensure the SATA drive is set as the first boot device.

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. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support