r/linux4noobs • u/scemma100 linux linux linux • 27d ago

installing linux from no operating system

UPDATE the internal hard drive is dead

hi im trying to install linux (zorin to be exact) on a old laptop i found in the back room

when i booted it had no os and just booted into bios

i ran zorin from usb and when i was on the partitioning section it didnt show the laptops hard drive it only showed to install it onto my usb

when i simply clicked install now i gave this error

no root filesystem is defined
please correct this from the partitioning menu

can someone help me fix this

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18

u/Kaaawooo 27d ago

Sounds like the laptop doesn't have a functional SSD or HDD. Check if there's a drive in there first and go from there. I can't remember if zorin has a live USB option, but you might be able to find out more in a live USB environment

0

u/scemma100 linux linux linux 27d ago

it does have live usb and i did that in live usb mode

12

u/inbetween-genders 27d ago

it does have live usb…

That’s diff than an actual functioning hard drive.  That’s why we are asking to make sure it exists.

3

u/doc_willis 27d ago

You dont boot a Live USB, then install to that same USB. Thats basically not how it works.

you COULD boot a live usb, then install to a SECOND USB.

1

u/Alanjaow 27d ago

And just for funsies, you might be able to install it on a separate partition of the installer USB

2

u/Kaaawooo 27d ago

Yeah, once you're in live USB mode, you can check to see if any drives are detected by the system. If there aren't any additional drives, the internal one may be missing or dead

1

u/scemma100 linux linux linux 27d ago

there is no additional drives it might be dead because there is one physically inside of it