[tlug] linux installed on lenovo ideapad

[steve <sjs@example.com>]

Hi all.

This is just a note on an install I did today.  I don't know if anyone will be interested but...I just installed 24.04.1 LTS on a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6" Touchscreen and so far I'm really happy with the result.  Last week was a different experience.

Last week I tried to install Linux on a new Lenovo ThinkPad but finally gave up after a couple of days and sent it back to the vendor for a refund.  I tried everything I could think of but the ThinkPad wouldn't recognize the thumb drive.  It seemed like  the options in the BIOS had changed since last time I tried (also on a Lenovo but Windows 10).  Secure Boot was off by default and all the UEFI and Legacy stuff was gone.  I found boot order and moved the USB drive to top priority but that didn't help.

What I'm wondering is if Microsoft is modifying the BIOS as part of their Windows 11 install.

Anyway, I got a good price on another laptop from a local place that had a good return policy so I tried again.

This time, when I first turned the machine on with the thumb drive installed and hit F12, it asked me what I wanted to boot and the thumb drive was one of the options.  I selected the thumb drive but  it proceeded to the Windows install anyway.

I noticed an option during the install that allowed you to stop the after Windows was installed (step 1 of 3) but before the security and updates were applied.  I exited install and restarted the machine and hit F12 to select a different boot option.  This time it let me boot the thumb drive and the install went smoothly.  

The only difficulty I had was installing Japanese.  After installing the Japanese language pack you have to reboot (Not just log-out/log-in) or Ibus can't find Mozc.

At this point I wonder if I'd followed the same process as with the ThinkPad (i.e. let windows 11 completely install) what the result would have been.

Steve S.