Cannot get into boot mode | Linux Mint Community🍵 | Page 1

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 12:00 AM

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This is apart of the Linux Mint installation process.

I have Mint in my USB and I’m trying to get to the final part of the process. However, I can’t seem to get into boot mode.

I haven’t used this laptop before. It’s a Thinkpad X1 Extreme gen 2, I believe. I tried different keys and I don’t know if I should be holding or pressing the button on repeat. I’ve tried F12, enter, and F1.

I’ll try more buttons today, but I’d appreciate it if someone could spare their time for me to shorten my own time on this.

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 12:01 AM

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Thinkpad is Lenovo

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Google two things:

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Lenovo boot menu key
Lenovo bios key

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also ensure you prepared your USB properly

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use either UUI from pendrivelinux.com

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or ventoy as per #1295728709306683482 index> "preparing to try it yourself"

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@severe delta

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 12:30 AM

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balmy mesa use either UUI from pendrivelinux.com

What’s UUI?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 12:30 AM

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it's there in the website. "universal usb installer"

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 12:31 AM

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Oh I used one through a YouTube video

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I think I used Rufus

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 12:31 AM

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well try what u have. if run into a major MOK error about mmx64.efi then use either of the two i said

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 12:31 AM

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Okay I’ll do that

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Do I keep pressing the buttons throughout the whole startup or stop when I see the logo?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 12:32 AM

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see #1295728709306683482 index for the early steps

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 12:32 AM

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severe delta Do I keep pressing the buttons throughout the whole startup or stop when I see t...

right at the time the pc turns on, and u see the manufacturer's logo

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u just tap the boot menu key once or twice. that's it. then choose 'uefi usb storage device' or similar naming

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 12:56 AM

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I got something figured out

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So I followed another YouTube video where I was required to reset then press enter

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This is what I found

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Do I press f1 to find the boot menu? @balmy mesa

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Wait

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:04 AM

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severe delta Do I press f1 to find the boot menu? <@725510568492138497>

F1 will take you to BIOS.

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from there, you can build up your boot list

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as in the priority list, and what devices it should include

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i really dont know why the heck u reset the BIOS for

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actually press F12 as it says there @severe delta

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:15 AM

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Omg I did it

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:15 AM

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balmy mesa i really dont know why the heck u reset the BIOS for

I was following the YouTube video

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But at the end of the day I did it

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balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:17 AM

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good, hit enter on first option to "boot live".

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then test EVERYTHING in the live desktop. all connectivity, all devices

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:18 AM

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balmy mesa then test EVERYTHING in the live desktop. all connectivity, all devices

What’s the best way to do that?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:18 AM

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play with it.

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the settings manager, explore all things

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play with everything in the menu, on the panel (taskbar)

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settings is just a switch box icon pinned on left column of start menu

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:20 AM

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Noice

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:21 AM

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can also do the terminal command (program) called inxi. type inxi -b <enter> for a basic rundown

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:22 AM

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Oooo I see it

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I’ll remember that command lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:23 AM

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inxi --help gives you more flexible switches

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eg. -F for full rundown; -Fxxx for full rundown with maximum details.

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does it show UEFI or BIOS mode in the Machine category, @severe delta ?

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:25 AM

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When you press which command? The inxi -fxxx command?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:25 AM

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no the first time u ran it , as -b

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u can hit up arrow key to review/repeat old stuff

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also note for general knowledge, Linux is extremely lettercase-sensitive.

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not just Mint. ALL linux.

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:26 AM

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Yes uefi is lenovo and trying to find bios

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:27 AM

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balmy mesa not just Mint. ALL linux.

I will remember that lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:27 AM

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if it says UEFI : something, then that's all there is to know

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(with no word "legacy" following it in square brackets)

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:27 AM

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Nope I see no legacy

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:28 AM

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if it was truly pre-2011 computer it would say BIOS:

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or very likely so

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:28 AM

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Damn yeah it’ll be a miracle if a pre 2011 laptop had an gpu like mine 🤣 but idk if it was seen as advanced back then

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:29 AM

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do u see some driver listed for the gpu from the inxi?

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AMD and Intel are usually covered already by the linux kernel

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:29 AM

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Oh hmmm I see graphic devices

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Geforce gtx 1659 mobile / max-Q

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:30 AM

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yep that wont be covered.

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its driver probably says N/A or nouveau rn

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:31 AM

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I see a driver that says i915 and another one that says nouveau

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:31 AM

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mhm

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do mokutil --sb

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this will check the secure boot UEFI and tell u its state

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:31 AM

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Secureboot enabled

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Is it good to do regular checkups on it?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:32 AM

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ah so if u choose to install, u will either (in order for nvidia drivers from Driver Manager to apply) have to either : turn OFF secure boot, OR register the driver for it to be allowed to run on the OS thru some commands

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see BOTH of these links. Secure Boot Linux Mint setup upon reboot> #1384959631633154119 message
Jeremyb's way: #1295763692415356968 message

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the first link shows how to register Mint after installation.

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the second for nvidia the dkms jeremy mentions it all

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:34 AM

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Alright ill check them out lol

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If this is a new laptop, can I just erase the disk and install mint? @balmy mesa

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I have nothing important on here because I brought this yesterday lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:44 AM

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have a look at the DISKS app first

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ensure the system can see the drive indeed.

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it's by that literal name

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:47 AM

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Linux mint 22.1 cinnamon 64-but partition 1 (3.0 gb ISO9660)

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Is that right @balmy mesa

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:48 AM

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um no . ISO 9660 is a CD/DVD data format, so that is your live ISO

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you should see three things minimum. the HDD/SSD, the USB, and a live Loop

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well...?

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:54 AM

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Sorry I’m juggling things

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:55 AM

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balmy mesa you should see three things minimum. the HDD/SSD, the USB, and a live Loop

Wait so they should all be in the disks?

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I see the 512 gb disk, 16 gb drive, 2.5 gb loop device

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 1:57 AM

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balmy mesa you should see three things minimum. the HDD/SSD, the USB, and a live Loop

I don’t see hdd/add unless I’m stupid (highly possible and also I’m on laptop so idk if that changed anything)

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 1:57 AM

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512 GB

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it will say the model number n stuff

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sounds like the main drive, but u can indeed crosscheck the model on google

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if u were ONLY seeing the USB, and loop, then further issues ahead.

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ensure main drive isnt RAID

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:00 AM

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balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:00 AM

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yeah u can blow that away.

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naughty Bitlocker encryption already turned on by Windows

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just choose erase n install from the installer

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:02 AM

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Alright noice

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:02 AM

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and dont elect any advanced feature, nor encryption

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:02 AM

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No I don’t wanna add more to my load already 🤣

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Ok I’ll write changes to disks

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:03 AM

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in the official linuxmint.com page, under the About tab, documentation, there's an official install guide

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plus the links above re: secureboot

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:04 AM

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Okay I’ll see it once I install mint?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:04 AM

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u should read first link now

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so u know immediately what to do upon reboot, before it times-out

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:05 AM

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balmy mesa see BOTH of these links. Secure Boot Linux Mint setup upon reboot> https://disc...

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note, if u CHANGE or ADD a proprietary driver at any point down the road, WITH secure boot ON, you WILL have to do the jeremyb commands to re-register or register them.

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:10 AM

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So I should do this befor installing Linux?

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So if I am correct, reboot means install, right? Then, after I install Linux, I write

sudo mokutil -i /var/lib/shim-signed/mok/MOK.der mokutil --list-enrolled sudo mokutil --test-key /var/lib/shim-signed/mok/MOK.der

Then `sudo mokutil --enable-validation?

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Wait actually should I follow the first guide instead?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:20 AM

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no. reboot means restart the machine. this is after the linux installation is complete, and you are ready to do so

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:21 AM

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If I don’t get the mok boot the first time, is it ok if I try again?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:21 AM

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dont bother

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did the installer ask u to create a (essentially temporary) Secure Boot password, early on?

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or just turn sb off in BIOS. ur not using Windows anymore, so its less of an issue now

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:23 AM

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So all I have to do is get to the mok, enroll or change secure boot, write password then restart?

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Alright and yes I already wrote it on paper

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:24 AM

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well install ur nvidia drivers.

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then reboot

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then register as per jeremy's commands

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then reboot again. and check inxi -Gxxx

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:26 AM

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How do I install my drivers? I don’t think I see it on there

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:26 AM

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did u successfully reboot into the final install?

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:27 AM

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No I’m just waiting

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:27 AM

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ah

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so u've installed, still in live mode?

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:27 AM

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No u said to know beforehand so I haven’t installed Linux lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:28 AM

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balmy mesa see BOTH of these links. Secure Boot Linux Mint setup upon reboot> https://disc...

read first link

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that's done on reboot post-install, probably from a blue screen

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:28 AM

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severe delta So all I have to do is get to the mok, enroll or change secure boot, write passw...

This is the summary of the first link right?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:29 AM

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mhm

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:29 AM

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Alright so I’ll install now?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:30 AM

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secure boot password can be something easy

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like 123456789

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it's the user password and acount that is vital for administrative purposes and log in for linux

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@severe delta

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:45 AM

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balmy mesa like 123456789

Too late I have a complicated one lol

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I’m installing it right now

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@balmy mesa when I enroll MOKI, all I see is “view key 0” and continue

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So I just continue?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:58 AM

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yes

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 2:59 AM

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I’m typing but the screen shows nothing on the password screen

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 2:59 AM

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this part has always been quite muddled for tons of people, including myself. Hope that first link helps.

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just enter the pw

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n hit enter

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:00 AM

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Password doesn’t match

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:00 AM

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ensure that capitals lock are off

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:01 AM

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But my password has capitals

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:01 AM

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or ur language/keyboard/accents arent something diff

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:01 AM

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And I used special words

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:01 AM

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this is why 12345 is best

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:01 AM

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Oh hmm

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:02 AM

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just turn secure boot off in bios

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:03 AM

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I don’t see enroll mok anymore

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:03 AM

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balmy mesa just turn secure boot off in bios

Okay like how I went into bios beforehand?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:04 AM

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severe delta This is what I found

F1 according to this

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:24 AM

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yeah i'm just updating things rn lol

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ummmmm...

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balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:31 AM

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type sources in start menu

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:32 AM

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Beforehand I switched to an Australian mirror

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:32 AM

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that lets u choose what world server feeds the system the ubuntu and mint repos

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ensure ur internet is working by browsing web

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:34 AM

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balmy mesa ensure ur internet is working by browsing web

Yes done

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Alright I’m gonna eat lunch while waiting cuz this is taking forever lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:39 AM

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severe delta Alright I’m gonna eat lunch while waiting cuz this is taking forever lol

sign into discord later if u wanna vc a bit

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:40 AM

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Wait I disabled secure boot since the update finished

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:40 AM

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im on Floridian time just fyi

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:40 AM

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Do I keep it disabled? Alright thanks for letting me know as well

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:41 AM

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launch driver manager

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:41 AM

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So save, go into laptop mode then drive manager?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:41 AM

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probably best go with the 470 nvidia driver for ur older card

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:42 AM

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Alright

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Does the welcome tab always open when u use the laptop?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:44 AM

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u have the option to read it thoroughly and disable it then

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 3:44 AM

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Ok I’m downloading drive now

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Oooo alright I’ll keep it there until I get familiar with it

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Ok gonna eat lunch now

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 3:54 AM

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check out #1375141638929907773 message

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and #1295846191409528952 message

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and Fundamentals in #1383493960474955930 message

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:12 AM

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Wait before using time shift, shouldn’t I finish the secure boot first?

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@balmy mesa so since I deactivated secure boot, what do I do now?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:13 AM

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leave it

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:13 AM

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So all good to go?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:13 AM

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did u install proprietary nvidia driver then reboot?

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:14 AM

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Yes

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:14 AM

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do inxi -G to confirm

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:14 AM

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It has all the details there but what do u want me to look for?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:15 AM

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driver should say 470.xxx

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:15 AM

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The version?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:15 AM

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yes for the nvidia graphics device

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:15 AM

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V: 470.255.02

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Yes it’s for device 2 nvidia

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:16 AM

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yep. well that's good.

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:16 AM

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Noice so no need to worry about it anymore?

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:16 AM

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correct

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:17 AM

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Thank you very much and I will be making my snapshot now

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Since I’ve heard of people doing crazy mistakes on here lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:21 AM

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you can also do a neofetch command in terminal, as a rough system details info thing

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:22 AM

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Oooo btw u know how important privacy is, right? Have u heard of element

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:22 AM

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not at all heard of element

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:22 AM

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I’ve heard of people bridging matrix and discord together and idk if it’s worth it cuz wouldn’t they track u anyway

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:23 AM

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can't comment

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:23 AM

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Oooo ok it’s like a messaging platform that hosts chats and matrix is one of them

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Alright thanks anyway

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:23 AM

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i think Mint ships with Matrix as a help chat thing

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:24 AM

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Yes I think I saw element when I first installed mint

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I’ll check it out once I install gramps because I have a fixation on family trees rn lol

balmy mesa Jul 10, 2025, 4:25 AM

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note the holy order, for a safe and enjoyable and efficient time

severe delta Jul 10, 2025, 4:26 AM

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Saved 👏

#Cannot get into boot mode