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Cannot install KUBUNTU from Live USB, EMMC Drive not seen

cn flag

I recently bought an IdeaPad 1 82GV. It has an AMD3020E @1.2 GhZ, 4GB RAM, 64 GB EMMC drive and runs Windows 11 in S mode. I bought the device as a platform for Linux experiments, on a whim, with zero research, as it was on Sale. I had a look at KUBUNTU,XUBUNTU AND LUBUNTU on Live USB...after a little BIOS jiggery pokery. I decided to wipe Windows and install Kubuntu 20.04.3 LTS as it has a flashy KDE interface and I love bling.
I get an error, "ubi-partman failed with exit code 141 from usb install". A little digging and it seems that the Installer cannot 'see' my hard drive. A little more digging and it appears that I am out of luck due to the very minimal BIOS on this machine. It is quite locked down. I suppose I am on the verge of selling this machine. Does anyone out there have any ideas on how I might proceed, without risking 'bricking' the device. Thanks in advance for taking the time to write, best wishes!

in flag
You’re out of luck with that particular device. Lenovo has locked the UEFI/BIOS down on the IdeaPad 1 models to ensure that *only Windows can boot*. Unless you can find a reliable 3rd-party UEFI image that most of the world is unaware of, the machine will forever be a Windows machine … or a paperweight
sudodus avatar
jp flag
Could you boot Kubuntu from a USB drive on that machine and run *live*, but not install Kubuntu? Or did Kubuntu fail completely, not even boot live? I'm asking because if it can boot Kubuntu live, it can also run persistent live and probably run installed Linux systems too **in an external SSD** (or a cheap SATA-SSD connected via a USB3 to SATA adapter) and you can do your experiments with Linux, but not use the internal drive.
cocomac avatar
cn flag
I can't test it, but [some people](https://askubuntu.com/a/1338175/1438484) have reported that using kernel 5.13 worked. I'd wait until the new Ubuntu releases in a few days, and see if it works, as it includes the new 5.13 kernel. Or, you could [try the beta](https://releases.ubuntu.com/impish/), but remember that beta versions of Ubuntu are off-topic here.
cn flag
Thank you to the very gracious individuals who have answered my question so far. I had my fears that Lenovo would undo my efforts. Thanks to matigo I now know that is indeed the case and won't waste any further time on this particular device. As for using some ropey BIOS downloaded off the Internet, that strikes me as a real squeaky bum moment, reflashing my BIOS. I'm afraid I'm far too cowardly for that!!
cn flag
I did look at booting off the SD card, but apparently it is very slow. On the plus side, the portability of the device would be preserved. The idea of booting off an external drive is a good one, thanks sudodus. I did get the live USB working, and booting off a external drive is an idea I hadn't thought of. An intriguing suggestion on the latest release of the Kernel. I definitely will try that cocomac….and let you know the outcome.
cn flag
Quite honestly, I think I will have to abandon this device to Windows. I have a couple of other computers that I hopefully will be able to install some flavour of Ubuntu on. Thank you again for your kind responses, especially since I am totally new at this. Despite this setback, I am not lost to Windows. I will press ahead with your encouragement! Best wishes to you all.
sudodus avatar
jp flag
Welcome to the Ubuntu community, @Kevin_UberNoob, with new questions and discussions :-)
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