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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I could use some troubleshooting help for a Linux laptop (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by ArchmageAzor@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

29 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I was helping my friend install Mint on his laptop, it all went well and the installation finished, but the driver for the wi-fi module wouldn't turn on properly, or something. I assumed this was due to secure boot messing with the drivers, so I tried to disable it in the BIOS (it's an older laptop, no UEFI). But I have spent the last 3 hours trying and failing to open BIOS, and even GRUB. Nothing I try seems to work.

I tried all the function keys, as well as delete, escape, and enter, and the only thing I found is that F12 opens a boot options menu.

I tried holding and mashing shift throughout the boot procedure to get to GRUB.

I tried using the novo button (it's a Lenovo laptop) which did open a new menu allowing me to select a "BIOS options" button, but it just rebooted after showing me a few rolling lines of text.

I tried plugging in the installation media I used before, which does take me to it's GRUB, but choosing the UEFI options option there just causes a reboot.

I tried disconnecting the battery and the CMOS battery and waiting for 30 seconds in hopes of disabling fast boot, which didn't work.

I edited GRUB config files to change the timeout to 10 and the type away from hidden, which didn't do anything.

I disconnected the disk in hopes of it defaulting to the BIOS, which works for some laptops.

No option worked. I just cannot access BIOS or GRUB. I really don't know where to go next, and could use some help.

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's less likely to be the chipset, and more likely to be crap hardware. The chipset wouldn't cause PCIe disconnect/interrupt issues, but shitty power handling in a laptop would. Can I wager it happened when plugging/unplugging power or ramping up CPU or GPU util? That was a thing on those Lenovo convertibles for years, but they did throw that shoddy consumer hardware into the Thinkpad line which made it go downhill fast.

[–] data1701d@startrek.website 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You're right that it was power-related - one of the options was an ASPM modification - but the issue seemed to be common to this chipset accross laptop brands.

The fix I used came from this post: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=286109

My machine was a Thinkpad, but this article was also talking about problems on HP, Asus, etcetera. I think the 8852BE might just be cursed

To be fair, I was using an E series Thinkpad, but in my defense, the E series seems to have improved a lot in the past few years - this was luckily the only issue I've had. I've had much more difficult times with Linux on other laptops. Heck, even my desktop had more setup than this when I was first starting out, though it was because I was using a Broadcom Wi-Fi card, as I also dual-booted with a Hackintosh and macOS only supports Broadcom Wi-Fi chipsets.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah, if you want to understand the dual-edged sword of Broadcom, just go look at the hardware support matrices of open source router platforms. NONE will support Broadcom, because they want to nab licensing for their drivers. You can't install a working ddrt, tomato, opensense, openwrt...etc on ANY Broadcom hardware platforms, but the manufacturers using them still are many.

It's finally starting to subside, but there was a decade where they ruled the wireless space. They refuse to capitulate on the open drivers issue though, it's insane.