How do I boot a HP Pavilion x360 from USB?

[RustyKnight]

I have an HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop with Windows 8.1, and it is useless. I want to try a Linux via a liveUSB but not matter what settings I use the laptop always boots into Windows.

 

I've tried booting for a USB flash drive and a USB DVD, with different Legacy settings, and still I get Windows 8.1.

 

In case you are wondering, Windows is useless because it won't install updates, I left it all night checking for updates, connected by LAN to a 20MBs connection all night and it was checking.

 

Also every time I try using apps they won't start until I've "Repaired the Windows Store".

 

I tried updating it to Windows 10 but had the same problem, it won't boot from the USB drive.

[Starbuck]

I've tried booting for a USB flash drive and a USB DVD, with different Legacy settings, and still I get Windows 8.1.

I take that you have enabled booting from USB within the bios and made it the first option? (meaning it will try booting from the USB before the Hard Drive)

Also, is the USB a bootable USB?

 

I have never installed Linux before.

This link may help:

 

Remove win 8, install Ubuntu 16.04 64 bit on a laptop with UEFI

[RustyKnight]

The USB was a bootable one as was the DVD I tried in the IUSB DVD drive.

 

I tried both with both USB options at the top of the list in the BIOS and the hard drive below them, wouldn't work either way.

 

I found a review of the laptop on a Linux website and it said it was easy to boot a Live version of Linux by changing the "Legacy" setting in the BIOS - it didn't work for me.

 

I'll have another play around with it and see if I can get anywhere.

[Starbuck]

Hi RK,

 

as was the DVD I tried in the IUSB DVD drive.

That's an external drive, isn't it?

If so, I'm not really surprised that it didn't work.

iUSB:

This is very useful software for iDevices users, it lets you share all types of files easily and quickly via wifi.

The main functions of iUSB:

- Share files directly to iDevices via wifi (support IPv4 & IPv6 network).

I knew that I recognised that make and model of laptop..... it's the same as my daughters.

Always a problem when a cd/dvd drive isn't available.

You really need to concentrate on using a USB stick.

This way you could run Linux from the usb stick and save anything directly back to the usb stick.

You can run Linux from a DVD, but it's very slow.

I tried both with both USB options at the top of the list in the BIOS and the hard drive below them, wouldn't work either way.

 

I found a review of the laptop on a Linux website and it said it was easy to boot a Live version of Linux by changing the "Legacy" setting in the BIOS - it didn't work for me.

I'd make sure that the bootable USB has been created correctly.

Also.... are you connecting the USB stick to a USB2 port, not a USB3 port?

 

Creating a bootable Ubuntu USB stick from Microsoft Windows

Edited August 28, 2017 by Starbuck

[Rustys]

Hi if you do not mind I have a few questions.

 

1. What distro and version of Linux are you attempting to try out?

Ubuntu, Mint, Puppy

I use Linux Mint Cinnamon 18 to me closely resemble Windows 7.

 

2. How did you create the USB Linux stick? Size of the USB drive?

I have used PenDriveLinux and Rufus both have worked for me.

Have also done an install onto a USB just like I would a HDD.

Found that 32 GB or larger work best.

 

3. You stated that you changed the BIOS to Legacy did you remember to turn off Secure Boot and make sure that the USB was still set to boot prior to the HDD.

[RustyKnight]

Oops sorry Starbuck

 

That was a typo - no it isn't an IUSB - its a standard USB external DVD writer for PC.

 

I'll try creating the USB stick from Windows instead of Linux. I tried it in all 3 USB ports but had no success from any.

 

Rustys (nice name ;) )

 

I used Linux Mint Cinnamon, and created the USB stick using Unetbootin on Ubuntu Mate.

 

I tried booting from DVD with a Puppy disc I'd used on a desktop PC so I know it was OK. I didn't try the USB on another PC though.

I tried it with Legacy on and off as well as Secure Boot on and off, the USB was always before the HDD.

[Rustys]

Have you tried the USB on another system yet and what was the results? Some system (if it is enables in the BIOS) you can press like F12 to one time change to boot from. Do not know if you have tried that or not

 

Have never used Unetbootin before have been using USB Image Writer from within Mint and have had no issues as of yet.

Rustys (nice name ;) )

 

Do you have a version of Linux installed on a system or just using the DVD/USB?

 

Which version Number of Mint are we working with. I know that 18 works with out disabling Secure and do not have to change to the Legacy using DVD have not tested using USB.

 

Now are you wanting to run Mint as live to see how it work with your system or run it as if it was installed on your HDD off the USB.

[Rustys]

Tested USB how I did it and the results.

 

Made the USB using the USB Image Writer that comes with Linux Mint 18.

Went into BIOS made sure that the USB was set as First Boot

Secure Boot was on

Legacy Off

Booted to the USB several times worked just fine loaded like it should used and navigated just fine.

[RustyKnight]

I haven't had time to try it yet but I made a Linux Mint 18 USB with Linux Live, from a guide on the Linux Mint page (I'm on the wrong computer for the link).

 

If I can get Mint to boot on the x360 from USB with persistence, and it works OK I was thinking of getting a low-profile USB drive that I could leave plugged in to use Mint without having to worry about dual booting it.

 

At the moment I have a desktop PC with Windows 7 and another with Ubuntu Mate.

[RustyKnight]

i've tried again now and its working, I have Mint up and running and everything seems to work fine.

 

I tried adding an image but it won't let me.

 

Now I have it all up and running I'm wondering if it would be possible to dual boot - just because it would be better than using the USB stick idea.

[RustyKnight]

I'm attempting to set it up to dual boot.

[Rustys]

Fantastic keep us updated and if you need help let us know.

[RustyKnight]

:mad: I'm annoyed again now - the LiveUSB version worked perfectly, even the touchscreen.

 

Now its installed I have to press F9 to get a boot menu otherwise it boots Windows, that's not a big problem though.

 

The annoying thing is the screen was rotated 90 degrees when I first booted, I fixed that but the touchscreen is still working at that angle.

 

I can use it as it is but without the touchscreen.

 

I'm just annoyed that the Live version worked perfectly but the install doesn't.

[Rustys]

Have been reading that a lot of people are having that issue.

 

Have a look at this thread and if you have any questions feel free to ask

 

[solved] - Mint 18.1 Cinnamon Touchscreen Rotation

 

I will be out of town (31-8-2017) to the doctors so may have more of a delayed response.

 

The say to check Cinnamon Settings by going to

 

Menu

Select Preferences

Then General

see if there is the Disable automatic screen rotation, make sure it is OFF.

 

May need to install iio-sensor-proxy from the Software Manager

[RustyKnight]

Thanks Rustys, I read through the links then checked the General settings and changed "Disable automatic screen-rotation" to "ON" and its working. Edited September 1, 2017 by RustyKnight

[Rustys]

Excellent go team.

 

Lets see how it goes for a while. Keep us informed.

[KenB]

Thanks for jumping in Rustys - much appreciated :)

[Rustys]

Any time...

 

Rustys