this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
3 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

51482 readers
273 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I have an older desktop (circa 2010) that I'm trying to repurpose into a small game server and NAS. It doesn't have UEFI. I've tried booting from USB and from DVD. I can get into the BIOS boot menu and select the device to boot from, but after I select it just goes to a blank screen.

I'm using the onboard AMD GPU. This is a fresh hard drive. I've tried the boot media on my laptop and it boots fine. I've put the old Windows 7 SSD back into the desktop and it boots fine. I've tried different images: Fedora Silverblue, Antix x64, Antix 386. Everything is giving the same results.

Can you recommend any other troubleshooting tips?

top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Xanza@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

In your BIOS, ensure that you have compatibility mode enabled for USB devices. Sometimes it's called legacy mode. If not, your PC could refuse to boot from some devices. Sounds like what's happening here at least. Usually if this mode is disabled the USB device won't show, but its worth a shot.

[–] gnuhaut@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

I have had USB thumb drives that just wouldn't boot on some computers. Try a different USB drive maybe.

[–] Spider89@lemm.ee 2 points 21 hours ago

If you are using this as a server, I recommend Debian. If GRUB displayes, try text only/videosafe.

If this image doesn't work, try x86 version.

[–] tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz 1 points 23 hours ago

It could be that you're trying to boot images that only do uefi boot? Or is the machine old enough to not support 64-bit stuff? I resurrected my first Thinkpad (2003) with a Debian 32-bit install, that'll surely boot on yours as well!

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago

What are you using to create the boot media? Try Rufus, and make sure it's BIOS and MBR.

[–] Stowaway@midwest.social 1 points 2 days ago

Try USB 2 ports using a USB 2 drive, and try different ports. Ive seen issues where I had a perfectly good drive and it wouldnt boot at all. Using a different port it installed fine. Similar issues using USB 3 drive or ports in machines only a few years old.

[–] driving_crooner@lemmy.eco.br 1 points 1 day ago

Could you install Linux on a drive om other pc and then move it to this one?