Peter Hillier-Brook wrote: > >> Trying to install Buster to a new Acer Aspire A515-56. The install (from > >> live DVD) hangs asking for disk device ID. This info is at least 12 > >> screws from immediate resolution, except for the BIOS(?)/UEFI output of: > >> > Thanks Dan. That's useful info, but until I am able to install Debian > it's a little theoretical :-) > > My problem is that the installation stops at the "finding disks" step, > says it can't locate a driver and could I help, from a comprehensive > list of devices. I paraphrase the question as the m/c is now turned off.
Oh. That's harder. Luckily, this exists: https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Acer/Aspire%205%20A515-56 and says: Driver support is much better in Bullseye than in Buster, due to how new the hardware is, so it may be advisable to install bullseye instead of buster (I have not tried this). I installed Buster and managed to get a functional system by installing a newer linux kernel and linux-firmware-nonfree from buster-backports, and installing firmware-iwlwifi and firmware-sof-signed from the bullseye repo. Do this at your own risk. and also: You need to disable Intel Volume Management Device Bootcamp in the UEFI to get the Debian installer to recognise the internal SSD: Boot into Windows and disable Intel Octane Storage Management for the SSD Disable fast startup in the power settings in the Control Panel Set Windows to boot into safe mode temporarily, and shutdown the system. Power on the computer, and press F2 to open the UEFI menu. Goto main tab, press Ctrl+s, go to VMD Controller, and set it to disabled. Enable F12 Boot Menu Save and reboot into Windows in safe mode and restart - check that Windows boots successfully when safe mode is disabled If a blue screen occurs on startup, go back to the UEFI menu and re-enable VMD Controller, boot into Windows, and try again. Insert your installation media Reboot and press F12 to open the boot menu, and boot the installation media I found https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/607762/installing-linux-on-my-new-aspire-5-a515-55 useful in this (note: the model and UEFI settings are slightly different in this forum post) {i} A wired ethernet connection is essentially required to use the netinst installer and install non-free firmware (if you're using installation media without the non-free iwlwifi drivers). This is because the wired connection works out of the box, but extra non-free drivers are needed for the wi-fi card. You could also use another Debian computer to download the packages onto a USB stick, and you can manually install the required extra packages from it using dpkg - but using a wired connection is easier.
