Greetings from a brand new user to Zorin with a tiny bit of experience in Mint.
This Win 10 PC currently meets the minimum requirements with 8GB ram and 1366x768 Radeon graphics. The processor is an AMD A9 A9-9410 2.9GHz.
It has a 128GB SSD and a 2TB HDD. I am wanting to install Zorin on the SSD and use the HDD for one or more data partitions.
I am wanting to totally rid myself of Windows. I have tried to install Zorin multiple times using UFEI but Windows would totally ignore my boot order in the bios -ignoring the installation USB- and F12 which is enabled. Changing to Legacy mode has allowed me to proceed with using F12 and I am now up to setting up a new partition table.
Here I am out of my depth and hope for some advice about how to proceed.
My resources are:
/dev/sda/
2TB used of 4TB All of that can go. It is Windows and apps, and an earlier installation of Zorin which I don't want.
/dev/sdb/
Free space - 1 MB
/dev/sdb1/ - efi - 104 mb - 104 MB used
/dev/sdb2/ - no type listed - 16 MB - used unknown
/dev/sdb3/ - ntfs - 126838 MB - used unknown.
sda is selected as the default device for boot loader installation.
Save your personal datas.
Delete all partitions on the SSD.
Turn off secure boot and fast boot in your BIOS.
Look in your BIOS if it is legacy or UEFI. If possible switch to UEFI.
When you create the USB Boot stick you should set GPT (partition scheme) for UEFI (target system) or MBR for Legacy BIOS.
Use the automatic install of Zorin.
There choose "use whole disk and delete all datas...". When you are asked
which disk shall be used choose the ssd with 128 GB.
For place of bootloader installation set also this disk (SSD), and not the hdd.
Thank you Forpli,
Does the hardware need any of what is on the SSD to work?
It sounds like I need to redo the USB Boot stick to be sure it is the correct choice.
I would love to delete Windows now so that it is not interfering with my choices in the installation.
When you create the boot stick in Windows, Rufus is recommended. Ventoy is also a good tool.
Linux needs his own drivers and can't use the Windows drivers, so you can delete everything.
So, You don't want create a Dual-Boot system, yes? I only ask to be sure. Because when Windows is gone, it is gone.
Like @Forpli already wrote would it be good to turn off Fast Boot and Secure Boot in BIOS. And when You are in BIOS, You could check if Your BIOS is in UEFI or Legacy Mode. Depending on that, You should choose for Partition Sheme for creating the bootable USB Stick GPT for UEFI and MBR for Legacy. Because You have Windows Rufus would be a good Tool to do that. Of Course save all Your Data. Again: when it's gone, it is gone.
Then start the USB Stick and choose the ''Try Zorin'' Mode. There search for GParted and start it. In this delete all Partitions of Your Drives. After that install Zorin.
Thank you Ponce-De-Leon, for the welcome and the advice.
Yes, Windows 10 is at the end of its life and there will be no more security updates for this machine. This model is not able to be upgraded to Windows 11 so keeping Windows becomes more of a security risk than it already is. I have Windows 11 on another machine.
Your last paragraph is what I need to know for now, though I am sure there will be many more questions as I learn.
Well, I have come to a standstill after my attempts to install Zorin. I am now met with a message on powering on, "No Bootable Device."
I have thought of installing Zorin on alongside Win 11 on my desktop but will instead try and install it on a small external 512 GB SSD I have and staying with the old Win 10 laptop. That will allow me to continue learning and perhaps fix the problem, whatever that is.
So I am now exploring YouTube videos on using Rufus for installing multiple programs on a usb/ssd.
Okay, how exactly do You have installed Zorin? Or You don't have installed it yet?
When I understand it right, You want create a Dual-Boot System first? If yes, You can use the Option ''Install Zorin alongside Windows'' during the Installation Process. With that You can choose how much Disc Space you want use and all the other Stuff with Partitions and Boot Loader makes the Installer automatically.
Rufus is a good Tool for creating Boot Sticks. It is simple to use. But You can't have multiple Systems on one Stick with it - only one system per Stick. For a Multi System Stick, You would need Ventoy for Example.
I don't want Windows on the Windows 10 Acer Aspire. It is not possible to update this laptop to Windows 11 and Microsoft support for Windows 10 is ending in a few months - no more security updates. I have Windows 11 on a desktop and a laptop.
I have followed your instruction to try Zorin and used Gparted to delete all partitions on the two drives. I have then installed Zorin on the SSD and rebooted. The computer then stops with the message, "No Bootable Device."
In the bios settings I had moved the SSD to the top of the boot order but now there is an entry at the top for Linpus Lite. Rebooting and holding F12 brings up the Boot Manager with nothing to select.
Any ideas? I wonder if there is some remnant of Windows lurking somewhere.
Or perhaps going back to downloading the iso file for Legacy rather than UEFI might be a factor. There is currently nothing on the HDD with all partitions deleted.
Thank you for sticking with this installation. Much appreciated.
@Smokey Can you confirm in BIOS that Secure Boot and Fast Boot and TMP are all set disabled. Also in BIOS that storage mode RAID/AHCI is set AHCI (not RAID).
Can you tell us whether BIOS is UEFI or Legacy and that you correctly chose GPT or MBR when using Rufus to create your USB.
Can you use Gparted from USB in "Try Zorin" mode and post a photo/screenshot of your partitions.
Also from "Try Zorin" mode, you can try and run Boot Repair and see if that fixes your boot issue or provides some information or error messages.