Windows 11 really stinks. I have been using windows 11 pro for almost as long as it has been available, and I have had nothing but problems. I have finally decided to try switching to Linux, but I can't figure it out. I have download zorin os v17.3 v18 and v17.3 lite. (all being the core versions except the lite version) I haven't managed to get any of them to work. I have checked the checksums, all of them are good, and match what is posted on the zorin site. I have tried using BalenaEtcher, Rufus, and Ventoy to make my bootable usb. No matter what I try I either am stuck at the "intel inside" screen, or it gets past it and just sits at a black screen. I have tried all kinds of different UEFI settings in the very primitive menu. If anyone is wondering I have also tried ubuntu 25.10 and resolute mini with no luck. My computer is a Coolby YealBook X 14" notebook laptop from 2023. The specs are 14-inch FHD 1220*1080 screen with intel celeron j4005 processor 14nm, 2 cores 2 threads. 12gb of High-Speed RAM and 256 ssd. I doubt this is important but it has 2.4/5g Dual-band WIFI and Bluetooth 5.1 and a 34.2wh battery.
In your BIOS Settings, ensure you are set to AHCI and not to RAID.
Ensure Fast Boot and Secure Boot are disabled.
Ensure when you create the LiveUSB in Rufus, that you set it to UEFI+GPT, not to MBR (Legacy)
If using Rufus, I recommend using DD Mode to burn the .iso to the stick.
The Coolby YealBook X (Celeron J4005) is kind of a minimally constructed off-brand, so BIOS support is probably pretty limited on it. This means extra steps are needed to try to install GnuLinux.
For the Black Screen: When you manage to boot the LiveUSB, you may need to tap e for Edit - at the screen prompt that shows it and locate quiet splash on the grub file shown. Behind the word splash you can add one of these parameters (try each until you find one that works)
i915.modeset=0
noacpi
i915.force_probe=*
was that a typo ? for
tap e for Edit
I have already tried disabling secure boot and fast boot. I have also already tried every combination of settings in rufus, but I haven't got anything to work. I just tried it again, and I am just stuck at the intel inside screen.
You did not mention this and this is important:
I do not have any options for AHCI or RAID.
enable USB legacy support, too
I do not have an option for usb legacy support, or any legacy support settings.
Much of the above relates to the manufacturer.
Is TPM disabled? Also see this basic pre-installation advice: Before you install
if he installed win 25H2 microsoft is activly preventing any linux installs on the ssd/nvme you may have to do a low level format of that drive to get linux to install...leave it to windows to get butt hurt if folks leave....lol
I have everything disabled that I can.
I did not get the 25h2 update yet... I am trying to put it off as long as I possibly can.
I have an update. I have tried a new usb and some other things. I still am not really getting any results, but I have a bit more/more complete information. I have found that if I try booting from my usb drive, if secure boot is off, it just get stuck at a screen saying secure boot is disabled. If secure boot is enabled, I am just stuck at a black screen with a white dash in the top left corner. One of the other things I tried is, I went into my ventoy config and changed some screen settings and other settings some people recommended for similar problems, but it did not work.
You can install Firewalls and lock the system down, to prevent any updates from MS. You may also install a debloat tool and get rid of many background processes, to speed up the system a bit. I think, the manufacturer has locked down your laptop, it probably won't even allow a Windows ISO installation. There are "tiny11" ISOs for Windows (archive.org).
Maybe you can copy most important files to a USB drive, sell the laptop on eBay, and re-use the scrap money for a cheaper but functional mini PC around $100 at discount, or an older refurbished premium laptop.
I think, the laptop is programmed to refuse installations unless it gets a secret administrator code.
My computer will boot an official Microsoft windows iso. which is interesting, as I was starting to think it doesn't boot from external drives. Also, selling and replacing my computer is not a option at the current moment.
In your bios, you may not see legacy boot, it may be called "CSM" or "CSM boot support".
I couldn't find a manual for your laptop to confirm. Do you have a physical or pdf manual?
I do have a physical manual for the laptop, the only bios related thing in the manual is "to enter bios, press esc while booting"
general update: I have managed to get arch linux to boot, only problem is I don't want a rolling release. I just can't get anything that uses grub as a boot loader to work. I just get stuck at a black screen with a solid dash.
Well arch also uses bootloader. The user has option to choose one while installing.
And if your observation about grub is correct then you can try PopOS, it's a stable LTS distro and uses systemd-boot bootloader instead of Grub.