So I just replaced all the important hardware except the GPU, which is an old but functional GeForce 1030. The new mobo is msi b650 tomahawk, the cpu is an amd 5 or whatever, and the ram is all compatible and stuff (at least according to pc part picker; this was my build cherry being popped)
I sorted out the shim error by disabling secure boot, but then the installer blacks out on me. I also updated the bios to the latest stable version (which I’ve heard causes problems on some mobos, but I had the same problem before and after reflashing).
With Rufus making an ISO image, I could choose between options on the live media, install or boot live and then install, plus the troubleshooting (all of these options, including low graphics mode, gave me a black screen that then moved me back to the list after 30 seconds). I tried again with etcher as I read that can help. It made the problem worse and now when I boot to that usb it’s just a black screen and it stays there. Forever. No option list or anything. I tried using the vid card hdmi, but that’s got no output at the moment, I assume because I haven’t installed drivers for it yet.
I’m not sure what option to pick for downloading the media, however, as the gtx nvidia option didn’t work and it’s very unclear what the integrated graphics model is. I just chose AMD legacy for that test. It did not work. I wasn’t able to find an install option that doesn’t have a separate GPU as a default, but I’m possibly dumb so that’s maybe on me.
I tried hooking into the shitty graphics card, I tried removing the graphics card entirely, and I’ve been through every help article on the topic I could find (tho most are for installs that actually did install, and give a black screen on boot) and have tried all the suggestions I could find.
The only thing I did not do is install fedora silverblue and rebase, because frankly I’m not that confident in myself. I’ve only ever used Debian-based systems, I’m not very good with them, and the guide to do it was intimidating, at best.
Anyone have any ideas that I could try to get this beast to load or boot? It still boots into the old Ubuntu install, with errors probably because the hardware changed or smth, but when I remove that drive and try without that backup boot option it still just doesn’t want to go. So at least it’s not an issue with trying to dual boot, which I don’t want to do. I want to overwrite the Ubuntu install on the same drive, cuz it’s a smol 128gb drive. Perfect for isolating my OS.
If I don’t find a solution I’ll probably just boot to the drive that still has Ubuntu and just update it (pc hasn’t been booted in years), but this pc is for gaming so I’d prefer something more friendly to gaming.
I’ve been at this for umm 5 hours now… so any help would be immensely appreciated.
If you need more info of any sort lmk and I’ll provide whatever I can. :)
Additional info: only one monitor is attached, and that and the wired keyboard are the only two peripherals. Some people have had issues with a second monitor holding the actual screen info, but that is not the cause here. I also don’t have windows on this thing at all, which I know does cause some issues sometimes.
So I did the ctrl-alt-fkeys and none of them did anything. I’m re-doing a live image now because the one I tried gave me a kernel panic (which is progress) with the only “monitor” or anything else that wasn’t 4k or vga-only that I could find.
It’s still a tv and hdmi, but a much smaller 720p, and that got me something to work with anyway.
I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the help thus far :)
The goal is to just find if SOMETHING works, or NOTHING works. Telling the difference is the first step in debugging the problem.
If you have any other monitor you can plug into, just try it. Also consider switching to DP if that’s an option.
Another thing: since you got a kernel panic on just booting, have you checked your .Emory timings and everything? You said you switched out your CPU, but are you sure that memory is compatible and set the proper timings? Does your BIOS have voltage and temp monitors? Sure your PSU can handle all this new hardware?
Ah, actually no this is an error I came across before, and the help article said using dd mode on Rufus or the etcher program should fix it, so I’m going to try that again with etcher, and see if it does. Like I said getting a screen saying kernel panic is big progress! It beats the lingering black screen (probably from it actually working but not displaying, like you said)
I don’t have another actual monitor that doesn’t only take VGA. I have been using TVs in place of monitors for a very long time because I mostly use my computer for media-related activities (hosting and maintaining Plex and watching that locally) so I don’t need much.
But like I said the tv I pilfered from my kitchen at least displayed why I had the black screen so I’m making progress and I hope I can move it seamlessly when I have everything :)
I never really considered I was using too good of a display device… that was never mentioned as a possible cause in any of the articles I found, they were mostly other hardware related problems, like dual monitors or something.
Also I bought the motherboard, cpu, and ram (also a new cooling system, bc my liquid cool was very old and idk if it still works) all together based on pc part picker and advice I got in another post on the rimworld comm, so it should all be compatible, tho the gpu is iffy. Nvidia is always iffy.
Ok, so update from yesterday; I had to stop.
Anyway the new bazzite stuff didn’t work. Fedora live test environment sort of worked but it failed at 4.8%, which is identical to another issue I saw saying it has to do with windows and if you make it on Linux it should work.
Also to answer those other questions at the bottom - voltage and temp readings are normal, psu was a replacement for one that burned out and is 700w so it should be more than enough. The parts should all be compatible, pcpartpicker said they are, but no, I don’t know that they are for sure. Still, my old Ubuntu install loads just fine, tho with some minor errors. Wouldn’t that mean everything does work?
It would mean your old install works just fine-ish. If you’re loading new everything and still having issues at all, then something is wrong. You shouldn’t be having any of these issues at all.
Would you happen to have a different USB drive to this from? Also try and make sure you’re plugging it into the slower USB ports on your machine, and maybe skip any front ports extended by a USB extender inside the case.
Good news! I got fedora silverblue to install, tho not bazzite directly, and rebased to bazzite and it seems to be working. Figured what’s the worst that could happen if I tried, you know?
Anyway thanks for all the help!
👍
I don’t have another flash drive big enough for this, no. The other one I have is 8gb and the utility says it requires 10, but I have been using the back ports. I’ll try again with one of the bottom ones and a bazzite install since I would need to remake the fedora one anyway. I had tried that previously but before having a workable display.
And hey, this kinda stuff happens whenever I try to do something a bit new. I refer to myself as the walking incarnation of Murphy’s law. I’m used to it 😊 it sucks for sure but I’m used to it lol (and I do tend to learn quite a bit in the process so not a total loss)