My Journey into Linux Land

[Laetum]

I used to use Linux Mint until I gave up on the incomplete driver support.

[arrix]

I used to use Linux Mint until I gave up on the incomplete driver support.

So which distro has better support?

[nick]

I'm planning to turn an older 64bit laptop into dual boot because I want to use some Windows programs but don't want them "calling home" or getting updates and other helpful things, but it would be nice to have basic WWW access for downloading files and general websurfing, shopping etc.

Will that work? Could I turn off all WWW access in Windows, run Linux and download a file from WWW, then shutdown Linux, then boot Windows and find the file and use it in a Windows program?
Does Linux play nice with online banking and shopping? Every once is a while I'd not be able to do online banking/school and they'd tell me to try it in MS Internet Explorer, but that was years ago.

I've got an otherwise perfectly good 32bit laptop and want to make it a pure Linux but it wont take the 32bit Linux disc I burned or take it from thumbdrive or direct download and the trouble shooting instructions are all Greek to me. I'm looking at dozens of pages of documentation and manuals just to get 32bit Linux on a standard ex-Windows PC and no one seems to want to tell me how to "just make it work". Maybe I'll hire some kid off Craigslist to do it in 2 minutes and make me feel old and stupid. Did Bill Gates suddenly become the richest man in the world because he understood not everyone wants or can learn years worth of back end cryptic computer stuff just to make an unrelated program work, or at least understood stealing that concept from Jobs AND pushing it as a standard if mediocre system was the way to go?

You can run Windows in a VM.

[Big Chudungus]

Among many of the anti-trust lawsuits filed against MS, back in the day, was that they formed a cartel with the hardware manufacturers to create Windows-only hardware that lacked support for any other operating systems.

This might be my problem because I generally buy the cheapest new laptop.

Can't seem to "disable fast boot" by holding down Power key and listing for 3 beeps. No beeps. I'm trying to use a pre-loaded Mint USB off Amazon.

I guess I'll trying downloaded version but does that always mean I've got to burn a CD to create an "image"? Probably same issue with Fast Boot can't be disabled?

Hiring some kid off Craigslist is sounding better all the time.

[Robotron2k84]

Which make and model laptop?

[Big Chudungus]

this guy recommends installing Linux on whole separate "hard disk" which these days is normally solid state AFAIK, so that you can format disks at will without other issues, and this eliminates stuff that seems to be keeping me from installing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWQMYN12QD0

Once a "portable" or external Hard Drive is setup for Dual Boot is it possible to unplug it and still boot Windows?

My question is will a 100gig thumbdrive function as a "hard disk" for Linux dual boot? 100gig is more than plenty and I'd rather have just a thumb drive rather than "external Hard Disk" with cord flopping around. Also, would it be possible to set up a portable Hard Disk with Linux and use it to Dual Boot on more than one PC???.....by just plugging in a thumbdrive?

That almost sounds too good to be true but if possible seems like it should or could be a standard feature because why not include a free thumb drive with new PCs?

[Big Chudungus]

Which make and model laptop?

Toshiba Satellite D75D-B100

[kimber_ss]

I am a Kali user on flashdrive. It's not for everybody. Setting up "persistence" can be tricky at first.

Persistence allows the operating system to "save" data locally on the computer. Kali is used by both Black Hat and White Hat hackers.

White Hat hackers are generally "pen testers". They get authorization from a website to undergo "friendly" attacks. Look for vulnerability. Then provide a fix for the vulnerability.

[Big Chudungus]

Persistence allows the operating system to "save" data locally on the computer.

I thought the whole point of dual boot with dual HDs was nothing would be saved on the other disk. You plug in the Linux drive and when in BIOS you tell the PC which disk to boot from, correct? Then once that OS is booted it doesn't see the other disk except maybe as some greyed out disk when "This PC", correct?

[Robotron2k84]

Toshiba Satellite D75D-B100

From the info I could find, it sounds like your issue is that UEFI and secure boot are still enabled.

For a Win8 laptop, I’d get into the system config (F2) at boot, or similar, and tell the BIOS to boot in BIOS-only mode, not (u)EFI mode. This may prevent your Windows installation from booting, however.

The other thing is to disable secure boot. Not all instances of Grub are signed with the appropriate certificate and may fail to load. You may need to reboot several times to actually disable secure boot, and it’s not the same procedure from laptop to laptop. Some require a code to be entered, some can only be done from inside the OS, others need a real-mode utility run on startup. I couldn’t find a specific procedure for your laptop, so see if it can just be disabled from within the BIOS and stay that way across a few boot cycles.

Once that’s done, you should be able to boot off of the USB.

[FeuerFrei]

Toshiba Satellite D75D-B100

Side note.
I got into Linux to avoid the upgrades/purchases of new machines/Winders OS. Linux distros are available to run everything in my computer bone yard. Nothing gets tossed except when it is gutted and nothing else in the yard can be used to repair it.

My machine is older than 8 years. Works all day every day reliable and I bought it used for $100. used stuff examples > https://discountelectronics.com/

*IIRC some "uefi" will have a "legacy" option that'll need to be turned on to run USB bootable os

[Big Chudungus]

From the info I could find, it sounds like your issue is that UEFI and secure boot are still enabled.

F

pretty sure I got those set right and rebooted and they still G2G but I can't disable "fast boot" by pressing power key and waiting for 3 beeps. No beeps.

I'm I misreading what I'm supposed to do? I'm starting from fully "off" PC and just holding the power-on button down waiting for beeps (then I'm suppose to release within 4 seconds then they will bring up some menu)

But I'm gonna try the thumbdrive dual HD install in the youtube I posted once I get to "work".

[Robotron2k84]

I don’t know the model of computer that you have, very well. However, is there an option in the BIOS for SCM boot? Is it enabled?

Also, can the fast boot be disabled altogether from the BIOS screen?

Additionally, some Toshiba laptops use F3 to disable the fast boot.

[FeuerFrei]

CSM = Compatibility Support Module ln bios?

[Robotron2k84]

CSM = Compatibility Support Module ln bios?

I think Toshiba calls is SCM - Software Compatibility Mode. And some of their newer systems require entering advanced boot from within Windows and restarting, or to enable the F12 key.

Not straightforward.

Or this sequence:

Step 1: Shutdown your PC while pressing the Shift key to turn off your computer completely. Note: By default, Windows 10/8.1/8 only puts the computer into "Hibernation" not shut down your device completely.
Step 2: Now restart the computer by pressing the power button - IMMEDIATELY start tapping the F12 key on the keyboard until the "Boot Menu" screen appears.
Step 3: Using the arrow keys, select and press "Enter".
Step 4: On the next screen you are asked to confirm if you want to continue with recovery. Select "Yes".
Step 5: The computer will bring you to the Advanced startup screen. Click on UEFI Firmware Settings and then Restart. Windows will now initiate the BIOS.