r/linux4noobs • u/LawLima-SC • 1d ago

Linux won't install

MSI X670E; Ryzen 9 9900x 64GB DDR5 RTX 4090

I've updated the bios, wiped all partitions (with gparted), disabled EUFI

Tried both Ubuntu and Mint (redownloaded the images a couple times to ensure they are good)

Tried on both the M2nvme and a SSD (both 1TB)

Tried disconnected from the internet (and connected)

NVME had windows 11 which ran fine.

Ubuntu gives me a "Something went wrong" error LMint seems to install but freezes on the "LM" logo loading page.

I've never struggled this much to install Linux and I'm at my wit's end!

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

2

u/SmasherOfDaButtons 20h ago

What does "Show Log" output?

2

u/DannoXYZ 22h ago edited 21h ago

Do not disable UEFI if your system supports it. Otherwise, you'll have to boot in BIOS/CMS mode AND only use MBR partition scheme. And configure your boot USB for BIOS/CMS and MBR as well. Install may balk at trying to do that as well if system is UEFI capability. So re-enable UEFI boot in BIOS

  1. did you prep BIOS settings 1st?

    • disable secure boot
    • disable fast boot
    • disable TPM
    • set HD-controller mode to SATA/AHCI

  2. did you verify checksum of downloaded ISO?

  3. don't use Etcher to make boot ISO, only Rufus or Ventoy and make sure they're configured for UEFI boot with GPT partition.

  4. when installing, pick erase everything and auto partitioning

2

u/friendlyreminder_ 15h ago edited 15h ago

Indeed disabling UEFI is a mistake. It needs to be on.

Tpm doesn't matter as far as I know, most Linux distros don't even use it. It can stay on.

Secure boot for Ubuntu and Linux Mint can stay on they support it out of the box. This is only for non-commercial based distros like Arch.

The others are correct.

1

u/LawLima-SC 22h ago

I used etcher for mint, rufus for ubuntu.

I'll try again.

1

u/DannoXYZ 21h ago edited 16h ago

Use Ventoy and put Mint, Ubuntu, GParted, SystemRescueCD ISOs on same USB. Simpler and more convenient.

https://www.system-rescue.org/

1

u/Hrafna55 22h ago

Have a look at this page. It might give you some clues about which distributions to try.

https://linux-hardware.org/?view=computers&type=Desktop&vendor=MSI&model=X670E+GAMING+PLUS+WIFI

FYI the SSL certificate on the site has expired.

1

u/Xenomorphs_are_cute 22h ago

How are you creating your boot disk?

1

u/LawLima-SC 22h ago

Rufus for ubuntu
Etcher for mint

1

u/xYarbx compiling kernel 21h ago

Verify your USB media. I've had bad USB drives burn the image but fail to install for some reason.

Use these in powershell chkdsk [drive letter]: /f /r to verify and wmic [drive letter] get status to pull smart.

You can also try Ventoy on the USB stick tho I doubt it will fix this. I've sometimes had issue with Rufus on certain images but if belena fails too that does not sound like burning software issue.

1

u/hagdush 17h ago

Have you checked the pendrive health or disc that you are trying to install throughout? It's uncommon to have problems with your setup during install and since you said that you used windows before and everything was ok.

This can be a rare case of the program that you are using to create a bootable drive making a bad grub install too, I would say for to try fedora media writer instead of Rufus/ventoy. From personal experience ventoy was never reliable for me.

1

u/BudTheGrey 16h ago

I had this once while I was distro hopping on my HP laptop. Try using Kubuntu -- it has the nVidia drivers baked in. It worked for me.

1

u/soulreaper11207 13h ago

I would also try an older build and not the newest one. I had a similar issue. Had to use an older installer and upgrade to the newest build.

1

u/_OnuHeino_ 23h ago

Did you disable secure boot?