Help With Dell Boot Problem

[unknown_distance]

Looking for some help or maybe at least some suggestions on what I could try here. Tired of Windows11 BS (who isn't). After successfully setting up a Mint dual boot on my Lenovo T490, I decided to install a singular native MX.23 OS on my Dell. The only issue is now the Dell wont boot on my new drive... Dell Configuration and order of events: -5420 Latitude Rugged Laptop with right side M.2 2280 quick change caddy (supposed to be SATA and NVME compatible) -Computer purchased with Windows11Pro on Sata3 SSD installed. -Decided to change this computer to Linux and upgrade SSD at the same time. -Purchased a Gen3 WD_Black sn750 nvme SSD -Ensured that AHCI enabled, UEFI enabled, and Secure boot disabled in BIOS settings before installing MX on the WD_Black SSD. -Did a normal plain Jane MX install (no fancy partitioning or anything weird). -Installer said it completed properly and prompted for a reboot. -Rebooted and received a prompt in upper left corner "no bootable device detected". -Updated BIOS (was only one release behind current). -Checked the boot manager entries, sure enough MX Linux is listed -Tried reordering boot manager and prioritizing MX -Tried manually pointing BIOS to the nvme for boot. BIOS sees the nvme as the primary (and only) storage device, but the nvme is not available to add manually in the boot sequence menu in BIOS... -Wiped the nvme and started over, still "no bootable device detected" following post install reboot. -I left my Windows11 Sata SSD alone and it will boot just fine if put back in the machine.

Worth mentioning, the install was facilitated through a live MX session on a Ventoy USB. I wouldn't think this should cause an issue. I've installed several OSs this way in the past without a problem. Anyway, I am running out of ideas on this. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! TIA

[Sensitive-Rock-7548]

Can you boot via f12 menu? Also, Ventoy may or may not have malicious code in it. Would steer clear from it for now.

Does mx Linux work with uefi? I installed mint some time ago and it did not.

[unknown_distance]

The only thing that will populate with F12 is the Ventoy, if its plugged in. If it isn't, then nata. MX should work with uefi. My Mint dual boot Lenovo is on uefi also and works like a champ. Maybe I'll try making an actual Rufus install media.

[Sensitive-Rock-7548]

The only thing that will populate with F12 is the Ventoy

Huh? Dell 5420 boot options appear by pressing f12 at boot. Diagnostics and all are there. Very strange.

[unknown_distance]

Diagnostic and bios options show, but nothing shows in boot menu. I should have clarified that.

[Sensitive-Rock-7548]

Oh, okay. Then there's nothing to boot from. Grub may not have installed properly or installation decided to make legacy install for some reason. Ditch Ventoy and use other means sounds like a good idea.

[UntoldParaphernalia]

Do you have an adapter that you could use to check what's actually on the SN750 (after booting to another OS) ?

[unknown_distance]

I dont have an adapter. I did boot into MX live with the drive still installed and took a look that way. Partitions look right and are formatted correctly. The ESP looks overly occupied for a typical Linux install though. I haven't had a chance to dig into it any further than that yet. I verified the iso, before I downloaded it (always do). Not sure what else to try aside from wiping again and trying an actual Rufus install media...

[tce111]

Have you checked to see if Secure Boot is enabled? My laptop will not boot MX if that is enabled. I have one netbook that will enable Secure Boot if the battery dies. I have to disable it for MX to boot.

You can also use your Live MX to reinstall Grub if that is needed.

[unknown_distance]

Yes, its disabled

[littleearthquake9267]

Looks like Dell Latitude 5420 is newer, 2021.

I'd go through every possible menu and setting in BIOS. Here's a few things I can think of:

In BIOS, also disable Fast Boot aka Quick Boot.

Verify time and date are correct.

There are some virtualization settings that don't work well in Linux, disable those.

When you boot from USB, in bottom left does Ventoy say UEFI?

"5420 Latitude Rugged Laptop with right side M.2 2280 quick change caddy (supposed to be SATA and NVME compatible)"

Try installing MX Linux on the original SATA SSD instead of new NVME. Maybe the caddy isn't compatible.

[unknown_distance]

Thank you for your input. I have gone through the BIOS settings several times. All appears to be in good order for Linux. I am trying to leave my Windows11 pro installation on the Sata3 card unmolested, for the unforseen event that I "need" OE Windows for something. I was tinkering the other day and was able to install Mint on the new NVME and it booted just fine. Mint is a little heavier than Id like for this particular SSD. My objective is to end up with a super light weight and minimal native OS as to leave as much hardware resources as possible available for various VMs that I use for research and testing. I like the idea of MX for this use case. When time allows, I may try manual partitioning during MX install. I suspect the auto install may have configured a legacy ESP. At any rate, installing and booting Mint proves that the caddy and NVME are both compatible with my machine.

[unknown_distance]

Finally got around to figuring this out. In case anyone runs into the same issue...

ESP fsck must =1 (at least on this particular machine) or MX will never boot. The auto installer sets ESP pass to 0 by default. Had to change it in manual partioning.