Failed To Install On Acer Aspire

_person_name40 · June 15, 2025, 11:15am

And Lu_ca, how did you manage to install Linux on your Acer?

oldfred · June 15, 2025, 1:43pm

Standard DVD is 4.2, not sure the double size works as boot and since older system, better to use lightweight flavor anyway. See Post 53 by ogra for links.

Have you checked you have latest UEFI firmware from Acer? Many different models of Acer from about that timeframe had to have UEFI firmware updates. Check manual and Acer support site for your model. Manual may also have info on USB boot settings.

When I tried to down load manul it said I did not have correct model and it maybe
“Acer Aspire E17 ES1-711 manual pdf”
But Acer site wants serial number do get to its correct support page.

lu_ca · June 16, 2025, 4:48pm

When I updated to Windows 10, due to the bug, the system started freezing. Other than that, all the USB ports worked… I simply created a bootable pendrive, and following a tutorial I installed it.

lu_ca · June 16, 2025, 4:53pm

I even had my Hopper Distro with this laptop… I must have installed +/- 50 distros.

_person_name40 · June 19, 2025, 6:22pm

LS
I used every possible switch, but it didn’t work.
Now I downloaded Linux Lite ( 3,10 GB ) on my telephone and start all over again. First on USB and if it doesn’t work then on DVD.
Thank you all for your support
Harry van Veen

_person_name40 · June 21, 2025, 6:49pm

I found this page when searching for gnu grub version 2.12
It says there must be a command line to load a kernel.
Harry van Veen

oldfred · June 21, 2025, 10:38pm

Have seen many posts on manual booting an install. But you cannot boot a defective DVD. I stopped using CD/DVDs years ago as I often burned a “coaster” or bad burn.

Download a lighter weight flavor of Ubuntu that fits on a standard DVD. I think we have mentioned this many times.

_person_name40 · June 25, 2025, 12:17pm

Latest thing I did is downloading Linux Lite on my telephone. Will try to get it on USB/DVD.
Besides I have a grubline prompt. Searched for the right command to load a kernel. But cannot find the right path.
And I don’t know if it is possible, but I can get the SSD out (again), use it as an external disk and install Linux on it.
Also have a nephew who is a Linux IT’er, but he is only available from the first of July.

_person_name40 · July 17, 2025, 5:46pm

Finally I gave up with the old Acer. Bought a second hand HP 650 G4. Now Windows 11 blocks Ubuntu.

oldfred · July 17, 2025, 7:46pm

you have to turn off Windows fast startup, bitlocker and change some settings in UEFI.
HP - escape + F9 for UEFI boot menu, F10 for UEFI/bios settings

Even with one drive, does it have RAID on? You need AHCI.
You may have to check manual of other settings. HP not the most friendly system to install Ubuntu on, but most get it to work.
You have to use system settings to change boot order once installed.

You really should start a new question with HP in title as those with HP knowledge will not look at your question with Acer in title.

stonypiles · July 8, 2026, 10:52pm

Solution for Acer Aspire Lite / AL15 models:

The BIOS hides the Secure Boot option and blocks USB boot until you unlock the hidden supervisor menu.

Steps:

Enter BIOS
Go to the “Security” tab
Press CTRL + S → a new option appears: “Set Administrator Password”
Set any BIOS admin password
Save and reboot
Enter BIOS again
Now Secure Boot is unlocked → set it to “Disabled”
USB boot and Ubuntu installation work normally

This hidden CTRL+S menu is required on Acer Aspire Lite models. Without it, the system refuses to load the kernel and USB/DVD boot fails. copolit help me to FIND this today :))))

celticwarrior · July 9, 2026, 12:00am

While this may be true for some Aspire variants, it isn’t applicable to this case because the OP already booted from external media. And CoPilot deceived you: Secure Boot has nothing to do with it. It’s true some models required setting an admin password in order to boot from external media but then Secure Boot enabled or disabled is irrelevant.

ericmarceau · July 9, 2026, 1:28am

Harry, the best way to verify if your computer hardware is recognized by, and compatible with, Ubuntu, you need to create a bootable media containing the Live ISO of your chosen release on either DVD (if it fits within 4.5GB) or USB stick for anything larger.

Then, enter your BIOS to ensure the boot device selection priority sequence has the Plug-n-Play device (USB/DVD) before your internal hard disk, then reboot your computer and wait for the Live session of Ubuntu comes up.

If it comes up with no issues, meaning that you get the Desktop, and can choose to open a terminal or open a browser session and can play a YouTube video, with sound, then you can pretty much say that your hardware is compatible and can perform a proper install.

WARNING: Plan the detailed steps of your install before attempting it, expecially if you plan to keep Windows on the existing main internal disk and you want to install Linux in parallel with that. If so, others will need to help you with that.

Depending on your hardware, if it is older, be advised that some hardware definition files have been purged from newer versions of the hardware database. For those instances, you may need to try installing an older version of the OS, where your hardware is recognized, then perform upgrades from the older OSs to the newer OSs until you reach a state that is acceptable to you.

The upgrades should allow you to keep the old hardware definition files, if such are required. (If anyone knows otherwise, please share that info with us here.)