Installing on real hardware

Table of Contents

Understanding “Real Hardware” Installation

Installing Linux on real hardware means putting it directly on a physical computer’s internal drive (SSD/HDD), so it boots natively without needing virtualization software. This is different from:

Testing it from a live USB only (no changes saved permanently).
Running Linux in a virtual machine inside another OS.

Installing on real hardware gives you full performance and direct access to your hardware, but it also means changes to your disk are real and can affect existing data or operating systems.

This chapter assumes you already know how to create a bootable USB and choose a distribution. Here we focus on the actual installation process on a physical machine.

Preparing the Machine

1. Backup Anything Important

Before you touch partitions or install an OS on a real machine:

Copy important files from the computer to:

An external drive, or
A cloud storage service, or
Another computer over the network.

Even if you plan to keep an existing OS, installation mistakes can wipe partitions, so treat this as mandatory, not optional.

2. Check Hardware Compatibility (Basic Level)

Most mainstream distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, etc.) work well on common desktops and laptops. Still, check:

CPU architecture: Most guides assume x86_64 (64‑bit Intel/AMD). ARM devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi) often need special images and have their own procedures.
Minimum RAM and storage: Your chosen distro will list requirements on its download page.
Secure Boot support: Most major distros can install with Secure Boot on, but some smaller ones may require disabling it.
Special hardware:

Very new laptops or Wi‑Fi chips may need newer kernels or proprietary drivers.
Some RAID or “fake RAID” controllers add complexity; beginners should prefer AHCI/standard setups.

If you’re unsure, search the web for your laptop/PC model plus the name of your distribution (e.g., “ThinkPad T480 Ubuntu 24.04 install”).

Configuring Firmware (BIOS/UEFI) for Installation

Your computer’s firmware (BIOS or UEFI) controls boot order and some hardware behaviors. You typically access it by pressing a key (often F2, Delete, Esc, F10, or F12) immediately after powering on.

Common Steps

Enter the boot menu or setup:

Look for text like “Press F12 for Boot Options” when the PC starts.

Set USB as the first boot option (if needed):

In the firmware setup, adjust boot order so the USB device is above the internal drive.
Alternatively, use the one‑time boot menu key (often F12 or F8) and select your USB manually.

BIOS vs UEFI Behavior (Practical View)

Without going into boot internals:

Modern systems usually use UEFI.
Your installer USB often appears twice in the boot menu:

Once as UEFI: <USB name>
Once as Legacy: <USB name> or similar

For simplicity:

On modern systems, prefer the UEFI entry.
If you already have an OS installed in UEFI mode, always boot the USB in UEFI mode as well.

Secure Boot and Fast Boot

In the firmware setup:

Secure Boot:

Many major distros install fine with Secure Boot enabled.
If you have issues booting the installer (blank screen, immediate return to firmware), consider:

Disabling Secure Boot temporarily.
Installing Linux.
Optionally re‑enabling Secure Boot later, if supported by the distro.

Fast Boot / Quick Boot:

Sometimes skips USB detection.
If your system ignores your USB, try disabling Fast Boot.

Booting the Installer on Real Hardware

Once boot order is set and the USB is plugged in:

Power on (or reboot) the machine.
Choose the USB from the boot menu if necessary.
You will typically see:

A menu like:

Try Ubuntu without installing
Install Ubuntu
Advanced options

Or a graphical menu with similar choices.

For a real‑hardware install:

Use Try mode first if you want to:

Check that Wi‑Fi, audio, display, touchpad, etc. work.
Decide if you like the desktop environment.

Then either:

Start the installer from within the live session (there is usually an “Install” icon on the desktop), or
Choose Install directly from the boot menu.

Choosing Installation Type on a Physical Disk

Once you start the installer, you’ll eventually reach a screen asking how to use the disk. The exact wording varies by distro, but common options on real hardware are:

Erase disk and install

Uses the whole drive for Linux.
Deletes all existing partitions and data on that drive.
Simplest option if the machine is dedicated to Linux and you’ve already backed up.

Install alongside existing OS (Automatic dual‑boot)

Keeps the existing OS (e.g., Windows) and shrinks its partition.
Creates Linux partitions in the newly freed space.
Sets up a boot menu so you can choose OS at startup.
Recommended for beginners who want to keep Windows/macOS and avoid manual partitioning.

Manual / Custom / “Something else”

You choose partitions and mount points yourself.
Required for advanced setups (custom partition layout, multiple disks, encryption schemes, etc.).
Use only when you understand drive and partition naming; this is covered in the partitioning chapter.

Identifying the Correct Drive

On real hardware with multiple drives (for example, an SSD and HDD):

The installer may list drives as:

/dev/sda, /dev/sdb, etc. (or /dev/nvme0n1 for NVMe SSDs).
With sizes (e.g., 512 GB, 1 TB) and brand/model names.

Ensure:

You select the correct drive.
You do not erase a drive containing data you want to keep.

Take extra time here—this is where irreversible mistakes often happen.

Typical Simple Installation Scenario (Single‑Boot Linux)

If you want Linux as the only OS on the machine:

Boot from the installer USB.
Start the installer.
When asked about:

Language, keyboard layout, time zone: choose your preferences.
Updates / third‑party software: choose based on your needs and internet connection.

At the disk selection screen:

Choose Erase disk and install (wording may vary).
If you have multiple drives, carefully select the drive to wipe.

Confirm you understand that all data on that drive will be lost.
Continue and wait for file copying and installation to complete.
When prompted, remove the USB and reboot.

After reboot, the system should start directly into Linux.

Handling Common Real‑Hardware Issues

1. The Computer Ignores the USB

Possible causes:

USB not first in boot order and no boot menu used.
USB not created correctly as a bootable image.
Fast Boot preventing USB detection.

Fixes:

Re‑enter firmware and:

Move USB to top of boot order, or
Use the one‑time boot menu key and choose the USB explicitly.

Recreate the USB following the bootable USB chapter.
Disable Fast Boot in firmware.

2. Black Screen or No Display After Selecting “Install”

Common workarounds:

In the boot menu for the installer, look for an Advanced options or Safe graphics entry and choose that.
Some installers allow you to press a key (e.g., e in GRUB) and add boot options like nomodeset for graphics issues.
For laptops with dual GPUs (integrated + NVIDIA), using “safe graphics” for installation is often helpful; proprietary drivers can be set up later.

3. Wi‑Fi Not Working During Install

Options:

If you have Ethernet, plug in a cable; most wired cards work out of the box.
Continue installation without network:

You can install updates and drivers after reboot.

For some laptops, you may need proprietary firmware packages post‑install; this is usually distro‑specific and handled by its driver/tools chapters.

4. Touchpad / Keyboard Issues on Laptops

If your trackpad or keyboard behaves strangely in the installer:

Try a USB mouse or keyboard during installation.
Use “Try” mode to confirm behavior; if it’s broken even there, you may need a newer distro version or kernel.

Post‑Installation: First Boot on Real Hardware

After installing and rebooting:

Remove the USB when the installer asks, so the system boots from the internal drive.
You may see:

A boot menu with one or more entries (especially if dual‑booting).
Or directly your Linux login screen.

On real hardware, pay attention to:

Display resolution and graphics:

If things look wrong or slow, you may need proprietary drivers (especially NVIDIA).

Networking:

Check if Wi‑Fi and Ethernet work after installation.

Power management on laptops:

See if suspend/resume and battery reporting work as expected.

Fine‑tuning these aspects is covered in other chapters (drivers, first‑time setup, desktop basics), but installing on real hardware is the crucial step that makes those possible.

Safety Tips and Good Habits

Always verify which disk you’re modifying before confirming partition changes.
For laptops: ensure the battery is charged or keep the charger plugged in during installation.
For desktops: avoid power loss during installation; if possible, do not install during unstable power conditions.
Keep your installer USB:

You can use it later for rescue, repair, or reinstalling.

By following these steps, you can confidently move from testing Linux on a live USB to running it natively on your physical machine.

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