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.