Boot from USB | Linux Mint Community🍵 | Page 1

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:23 PM

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I run Linux Mint on a laptop with a broken screen, connected to an external display. I'm selling the laptop in-order to buy a Surface Pro 4 (and run a distro on it). I want to reinstall Windows 11 from a USB drive in-order to have it stock for whoever buys it. However, the BIOS and boot menu won't show on my external display no matter what I try, meaning I can't see what I'm doing. Is there a way to boot from USB inside of Mint itself?

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:24 PM

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how did you prepare the Windows 11 USB first off, and will that pc support Win 11?

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:26 PM

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buoyant sky how did you prepare the Windows 11 USB first off, and will that pc support Win 1...

i used rufus and disabled the limitations so the usb is prepared

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:26 PM

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ok

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well, do you also have a backup USB with Mint live ISO on it, in case things really go crazy bad?

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:28 PM

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yup

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the only way i was able to get mint on this laptop was using windows' built in boot from usb

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:30 PM

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what kind of video ports does it have, be specific

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:32 PM

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just one hdmi port

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:32 PM

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hdmi should work

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see this: #1295785554251874414 message

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:33 PM

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is there a way to specifically get to the boot menu itself as i won't be able to see what i'm doing in bios?

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i'm in bios i think, i can't navigate it though

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it's an hp laptop if that helps any

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:35 PM

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show a pic of screen

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:36 PM

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laptop screen and monitor screen, can't see a thing

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:37 PM

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yeah idk

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ur bios should show thru hdmi. is that a true monitor, or TV?

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:38 PM

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true monitor, my desktop bios show up fine

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just this laptop that has an issue

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:38 PM

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HP uses F9 for boot menu

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:39 PM

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alright, i'll try that and just guess what device is selected

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:39 PM

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so, i guess u could press that within 1 second of poweron, and then after 2 seconds or so, press the down arrow and enter

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with usb drive in, ofc

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:40 PM

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spammed f9, it just booted me into mint

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:40 PM

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does usb have an activity light at least?

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:40 PM

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yup

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:41 PM

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you just have to press f9 once. within 1 or 2 seconds after u give the laptop the power

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then tap down arrow, then enter

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dont rush it either

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:43 PM

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same issue, i'll try it a few more times

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my laptop doesn't have distinct f keys, they share with brightness, volume, and things like that

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should i hold fn when i press f9?

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:46 PM

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prob.

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:49 PM

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still not working, is there a way to boot from the usb device straight from the terminal?

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:50 PM

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not that I know of. the bios is the only way

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why not see if u can get the screen replaced?

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:51 PM

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more expensive than what i'm looking to buy as a replacement

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the only way i'll be able to buy the surface pro is by selling this laptop, won't be able to afford a fix even if i wanted to

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:52 PM

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what u expect to receive for a laptop with an utterly broken screen? peanuts?

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just leave Mint on it, and use bleachbit to wipe the existing free space, and all ur personal cookies/data, etc

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:54 PM

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buoyant sky what u expect to receive for a laptop with an utterly broken screen? peanuts?

it's a nice laptop broken screen laptops are still useful to some at a half-okay price

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:55 PM

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buoyant sky just leave Mint on it, and use bleachbit to wipe the existing free space, and al...

fair, i may have found a way to boot with the terminal, otherwise i'll take your advice and just keep mint on it

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i figure people would be more enticed by windows 11 than mint

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:55 PM

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there's also another way involving: making an internal drive (eg; sata with ventoy, and with windows 11 iso on it) then have the original internal drive externally connected with a usb bridge cable. the laptop will boot the internal one (which is ventoy, and the winstaller) and should be abled to then install onto the other via usb bridge

buoyant sky Jul 2, 2025, 11:56 PM

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cold shadow fair, i may have found a way to boot with the terminal, otherwise i'll take your...

yea the manual article i linked

cold shadow Jul 2, 2025, 11:59 PM

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don't think that's working, i'll just take your advice and reset it to stock mint and sell it that way

buoyant sky Jul 3, 2025, 12:00 AM

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make sure to use bleachbit

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run in root mode, tick on the "free space" tickbox so it thoroughly wipes stuff u pre-deleted

cold shadow Jul 3, 2025, 12:01 AM

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alr, and it'll get rid of absolutely everything?

buoyant sky Jul 3, 2025, 12:01 AM

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ur userhome folder will be there

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i suppose u could make a new account, give it FULL admin privileges

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then delete the original user ONCE U TEST IT that the new account works to install/manage software, etc

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then bleachbit all space

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then sell the pc with the new user account name and password securely written and taped to the lid

#Boot from USB