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I own a new Lenovo S20-30 laptop which came with Windows 8.1 preinstalled with the hard drive partitioned. I want to convert this laptop to Ubuntu 15.4. with NO dual boot. I want it to be an exclusive Linux machine. This laptop can boot off the E Drive with a USB Drive.

I used a brand new Kingston 4 GB USB Drive. I followed Ubuntu installation instructions to the letter

  1. I went to Pendrivelinux.com and downloaded the Universal USB Installer V1.9.5.9 to my USB Drive.

  2. I went to Ubuntu and downloaded Ubuntu Linux V15.04 to my USB Drive.

  3. Using The Universal USB Installer I installed Ububtu Linux 5.4 on my USB Drive.

  4. My BIOS is updated to the latest BIOS from Lenovo's Website, which was posted on March 9, 2015, Filename/BIOS Version: accn22ww(v2.08&v1.1).

  5. My BIOS is configured to boot from the USB Drive first

  6. When I reboot the USB Drive is not recognized as a boot drive and the system still boots into Windows.

Again, I want to boot up and install Ubuntu Linux 15.04 and have the system be an exclusive LINUX machine. I have an identical Lenovo S20-30 rynning the standard Windows 8.1 and want to compare functionality and performance running the same applications on identical machines.

Has anyone installed Ubuntu Linux on a Lenovo S20-30 before?

What do I need to troubleshoot and check?

I am an experienced Windows person but new to Linux so please be gentle and don't assume I know much about Linux. That's what this is all about, I want to become Linux expert and hope I can one day soon be fully on Ubuntu Linux and never look back

I went back in to my BIOS and look at the configuration very carefully setting by setting. I was finally able to find the best combination of BIOS settings to get my Lenovo S20-30 to boot up from my USB Drive and Ubuntu 15.4 is fully installed now as the ONLY operating system on myS20-30.

I have painstakingly documented every BIOS setting below along with the settings I changed to sucessfully boot up from my Ubuntu Boot USB.

So now its time tolearn learn learn Ubuntu. I hope my post below proves helpful to others.

Here is some additional BIOS Information

Information: Product Name: LenovoS20-20 BIOS Version (Mostcurrent): ACCN22WW(V2.0) EC Version:ACEC22WW(V1.1) CPU: Intel CeleronCPU N2830 @ 2.16GHz Windows License: WIN

Configuration: USB XHCI Controller: Enabled Wireless: Enabled SATA ControllerMode: AHCI Power Beep: Disabled BIOS Back Flashisabled Hotkey Mode: Enabled

Security: Supervisor Password:Not Installed User Password: NotInstalled HDD Password: NotSet Secure Boot: Enabled Secure Boot Status:Enabled Platform Mode: UserMode Reset to Setup Mode: Enter Restore FactoryKeys: Enter

Boot: Boot Mode: UEFI is set now. The only other option to select is Legacy SupportSee the note below USB Boot: Enabled

Note for Boot Mode:the information window states: Windows 8 or 8.1 64 Bit please useUEFI Boot Mode. Other Legacy OS please use Legacy Support Mode

Additionally I havereset the Bios to Legacy Support with the same result whenbooting up

When selecting BootMode of Legacy First I am presented with two choices for“Boot Priority”. 1. Legacy First 2. UEFI First

Withthe following note: Determine EFI Device first or LegacyDevice first. If Enable it is the EFI Device first,If Disable it is the Legacy Device First

I did cold boots with each combination selected: UnsuccessfulBoot configuration to boot from the USB Drive: LegacySupport UEFI First

Successful Bootconfiguration to boot from the USB Drive: Legacy Support

Legacy Device First

Organic Marble
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Paul J
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2 Answers2

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There is a detailed tutorial on installing Ubuntu alongside Windows in Lenovo S20-30. You can refer this link to get your USB booted.

To completely remove windows and install Ubuntu, refer to this or this thread and have a look at the Official documentation on UEFI firmware. After you have understood what you have to do, then boot from live cd/USB and select Use the Entire Disk option to install Ubuntu over windows.

Community
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Ron
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First of all I didn't understood what you meant by: "This laptop can boot off the E Drive with a USB Drive". Doesn't matter.

  1. I don't know for sure why Ubuntu recommend to use Universal USB Installer, it didn't work for my Lenovo Y580 as well. UNetbootin might not work either, assuming you have UEFI/GPT machine since Windows 8.1 was preinstalled. Use Rufus instead.
  2. You shouldn't download ISO to USB but to HDD. I guess you misspelled that.
  3. To use Rufus firs you should select ISO and then adjust other settings(UEFI/GPT), otherwise it wil reset your options(small bug in software).
  4. Again, I don't believe you have BIOS rather UEFI. Enable USB boot and set order to first boot from USB. If you considering don't use Legacy mode no need for that.

So, your bootabe USB is set to go. You can use it in Live mode, before installation, to check if your devices are working properly: ethernet, bluetooth, WiFi...If not look around this site for an answer.You won't be disappointed because Ubuntu is much lighter on resources than Windows.

And since you are now to askubuntu , do check if anyone else has post a similar question first.

VRR
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