On 25/01/2021 17:58, Dan Ritter wrote: > 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. > > Hello Dan, I've been using Bullseye for several months, but thought I'd better stay with Buster as this m/c was bought for a naive friend. It now looks as if Bullseye is the better bet so I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Many thanks for your help. Peter HB
