Debian Live Boot Fail

[stacksof40]

Hello All.

I recently assembled a new computer. I want to learn Linux. I'm retired.
And while I did create a bootable usb install drive ---> debian-10.7.0-amd64-netinst.iso, I decided I better make sure I could first get a 'Live' version to work!
So I created a 2nd usb drive ----> debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon.iso

Unfortunately when I attempted to use my Live version - it fails to boot Debian.
Here is what does happen:
1. I boot up with Live debian usb thumb drive
2. I get the GNU GRUB panel.
3. I select the following option ----> Debian GNU/Linux Live (kernel 4.19.0-14-amd64)
(Prior to executing, I edited the underlying Linux code of this option.)

Here is what is being executed:

setparams 'Debian GNU/Linux Live (kernel 4.19.0-14-amd64)'
linux /live/vmlinuz-4.19.0-14-amd64 boot=live components splash quiet "${loopback)"
initrd /live/initrd.img-4-19.0-14-amd64

Unfortunately when I execute on my new system, my terminal gets no response after throwing out the Debian Splash screen.
I just get the blinking cursor at the top left part of screen......
I did check the thumb drive to make sure the objects referenced in the code above could be found on the usb drive - and they were there!

There were a couple of system msgs that flashed very briefly on the monitor when the screen changed from the Debian Splash to the 'blinking cursor'.
Annoying that I could not read.

So I tried the same thumb drive on my Windows machine and was able to navigate all the way through to the desktop environment and browse the internet using Firefox.

Anyone have experience with the scenario above? Thoughts appreciated.
Needless to say my Linux journey is having trouble getting out of the garage -


Peter

[mm3100]

What hardware is new computer made of, it could be that hardware is too new for debian 10. Or you might just need non-free firmware that is not in official iso.
https://wiki.debian.org/Firmware

Here is link to unofficial live iso. You could try with that, if that boots normally, you would at least know it works on your hardware.
https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unofficial/non-free/images-including-firmware/10.8.0-live+nonfree/amd64/iso-hybrid/

Unofficial to debian just means it has non-free packages included, they are not included in official release because of debian social contract.
https://www.debian.org/social_contract

[stacksof40]

MM-
Thanks for the quick reply.

Here is my new system:
CPU Intel Core i5-10400 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor
Motherboard ASRock B460M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard
Memory Patriot Viper 4 Blackout 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory
Storage Samsung 860 Evo 1 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Case Thermaltake Core V1 Mini ITX Desktop Case
Power Supply Antec Earthwatts Gold Pro 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply

I followed your image link.
Just picking cinnamon as an example here are the files listed for that flavor:

debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon+nonfree.contents
debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon+nonfree.iso
debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon+nonfree.log
debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon+nonfree.packages

I use Rufus to build the bootable usb drive.
Is it sufficient to execute Rufus with the .iso file?
I will give it a shot.
Thanks

[4D696B65]

Your computer is too new for buster. Give bullseye a try.
https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

[mm3100]

debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-cinnamon+nonfree.iso

I use Rufus to build the bootable usb drive.
Is it sufficient to execute Rufus with the .iso file?
Thanks

yes it should work fine creating usb install with Rufus.
https://linuxhint.com/debian_10_bootable_usb_install/

Your computer is too new for buster. Give bullseye a try.
https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

You can find your images from given link, but to help a bit here are two with non-free packages included, in case you need them as well
https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/bullseye_di_alpha3+nonfree/amd64/iso-cd/
That only has netinstall, with it you will be able to install cinnamon desktop environment at end, firmware-bullseye-DI-alpha3-amd64-netinst.iso is one you need.

Or you can download most of needed packages now so you wouldn't have to wait for them to be downloaded during installation.
https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/bullseye_di_alpha3+nonfree/amd64/iso-dvd/

Here is yt link that I found helpful when I was installing Debian first time,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyD_EKFCigM

[stacksof40]

I checked out the video link detailing Debian Install. Good Stuff.
I ran a couple of tests.
But mostly have come up with more questions - less technical more conceptual ones.

Here are some of the iso's I tested:
debian-live-10.8.0-amd64-xfce+nonfree.iso
(The guy on the video that MM recommended said xfce was a good environment.)
The thinking was - I may need 'nonfree' components to operate.
Booted. Got the GNU/GRUB panel. Launched Linux.
- Throws out Debian Splash Screen
- Nothing. Blank screen. Blinking cursor

ubuntu-20.04.2.0-desktop-amd64.iso
Figured I'd try ubuntu. Booted.
- Ubuntu splash (puma?)
- Throws out Install Screen. Select 'Try Ubuntu'
- Ubuntu Desktop presented but keyboard no longer works.
- My mouse can move and hover/expand icons but not invoke action

firmware-bullseye-DI-alpha3-amd64-DVD-1.iso
I booted this image. It began an install - with a series of choices of passwords, partitions etc
I exited. I am not comfortable installing a system until I can get a Live CD to work.

Not sure what you guys make of the above. But essentially I can't get a 'live cd' to run on my new machine.
I 'think' my new machine is ok although still haven't fully interacted with a browser or used my internet connection.

It never occurred to me that today's software platforms were so heavily tied to the underlying hardware.
I specifically chose an Intel chip with Integrated Graphics so I didn't need to mess with a graphics card (or the proprietary drivers).
It appears my i5 came out in 2nd Qtr 2020. 10th Gen i5 processor.
I doubt my ssd nor my memory is an issue.

So is it likely that whatever 'data' Debian needs about my chip is simply absent - and until my i5 is documented - the Live CDs won't work?
(Btw, when I investigated Ubuntu their release notes mentioned Comet Lake which was the former name of my product family.
I did get slightly further on Ubuntu.....although my keyboard/mouse didn't work)

So, was that the point of suggesting I use a 'test' iso (Bullseye) - that it might provide the missing i5 cpu info debian needs?

Hopefully the above makes sense.
I'm learning a lot anyway.

Anyone with thoughts - feel free.....

Thanks
Pete

[mm3100]

So is it likely that whatever 'data' Debian needs about my chip is simply absent - and until my i5 is documented - the Live CDs won't work?
(Btw, when I investigated Ubuntu their release notes mentioned Comet Lake which was the former name of my product family.
I did get slightly further on Ubuntu.....although my keyboard/mouse didn't work)

So, was that the point of suggesting I use a 'test' iso (Bullseye) - that it might provide the missing i5 cpu info debian needs?

Yes, I think that is the case, Bullseye will be out in few months, then there will be live versions of it that should work on your hardware.

You could also try newest ubuntu 20.10 to see if it will work.

Another distro that I prefer over Ubuntu is Linux Mint, they had new release short while ago. I personally like cinnamon DE over others ones they offer.
https://linuxmint.com/

[stacksof40]

I just wanted to provide an update.
MM's video link mentioned MX Linux as a solid option. Someone else also suggested it.

So I downloaded and booted MX-19.3_ahs_x64.iso
(ahs stands for advance hardware support)

I got into the xfce desktop environment and launched Firefox.
I was able to test that my new computer audio and wifi etc all worked.
That was a big relief.

I will keep my eye out for Debian.

Thanks
Pete