Hi all - I am completely new to Linux, and wanted to try using Zorin OS as a dual boot with Windows 10. I have an HP Spectre x360 (2018, with 8th gen core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD).
I managed to shrink the Windows C drive by 30GB to give room for an install (using the instructions here), and followed the instructions here to create a bootable USB drive. I managed to boot to this (disabling secure boot in BIOS), and used the "try" option. This booted fine from USB, I enjoyed the desktop experience, and so proceeded to do an install of Zorin OS Core, just using the default settings from the wizard (as I don't know anything about different partitions and sizes). This all seemed to be successful.
However, after I then restarted my PC, I have so far been unable to boot to Zorin OS at all. In the bootloader, if I select "Zorin OS", it just loads a black screen. If I use recovery mode, it shows the two lines "Loading linux 5.11.0-38 generic..." and "Loading initial ramdisk...", and then just hangs. Secure boot is still disabled in BIOS, and fast start-up is disabled in Windows.
Selecting the Windows bootloader does work, and I can still boot into Windows 10.
I would be very grateful for any suggestions - as I say, I am completely new to this, so your patience is appreciated!