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LinuxSpice

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3 Posts

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April 6th, 2025 15:04

With Windows 7 and BIOS Version A24 how to add CD/DVD boot option to UEFI boot order?

I want to install Debian 12 on my Latitude E6430 from a bootable DVD onto a brand new SSD. My BIOS is up-to-date (Ver. A24) and the SSD is formatted as GTP and I added a 20GB EFI system partition. I want to swap out the current Windows 7 Pro hard drive with the new SSD and install Debian from the bootable DVD.  I need to set the bootloader from BIOS/Legacy to UEFI and add the CD/DVD to the UEFI boot sequence and then save the changes and reboot to actually choose the CD/DVD from F12 UEFI boot options list.  Does this procedure look right?

  1. Place bootable DVD into the CD/DVD drive and power up the laptop.
  2. Hit F2 as it powers up to get ineo BIOS Settings.
  3. In BIOS settings make sure Secure Boot is "Disabled" and FASTBOOT is set to "Thorough."
  4. Go to boot "Boot Sequence" and select UEFI.
  5. From here you may need to add another "Boot Option" if the only option is a UEFI hard drive.  (How is this done?  I see instructions on a Windows 10 computer; is it the same?)
  6. Once the CD/DVD boot option is added to the list for UEFI boot sequence hit F10 to save and reboot the laptop.  (Is this correct for BIOS version A24?)
  7. Immediately hit F12 as the laptop reboots and the CD/DVD option should now be listed under "UEFI Boot."
  8. Move the cursor to the CD/DVD option and hit "Enter." The laptop should boot from the DVD and go to the Debian GRUB menu to begin installation.

DOES THIS LOOK RIGHT?  Your experience with E6430 install of Linus in UEFI mode is most appreciated.

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LinuxSpice

1 Rookie

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3 Posts

April 11th, 2025 18:59

I did the procedure as I explained it above and it works!  If you are using a brand new SSD you need to initialize it as GPT to ensure a UEFI format. In fact, if you open "Disk Management" (type diskmgmt.msc in the search bar) on a Windows computer and then connect your new SSD to a USB port on your computer (using a USB 3.0 to SATA HDD/SSD cable) the computer will automatically detect it and ask how you want it initialized. Just select the "GPT" option and then "Enter."  The SSD will be initialized for GPT, necessary for UEFI.  That's all you need to do to ensure that Debian or your Linux OS will install with EUFI instead of MBR (Legacy/BIOS) partitioning.  You really don't need to create any partitions on it before hand.  Debian will take care of that when installing.  

Once you have your GPT formatted drive, 

  1. Place bootable DVD (with you Debian ISO image) into the CD/DVD drive and power down.
  2. Take off the back cover of your computer and swap out the current drive (with Windows OS) for the new GPT formatted drive. Then put the cover back on again.  Note: While the back is off, if you want to upgrade any other devices like your RAM or WiFi card, this is the time to do it. I swapped out the Broadcom WiFi card for an Intel card with Bluetooth. 
  3. Then power up the laptop.
  4. Immediately and continually hit F2 as it powers up and goes into the BIOS Settings.
  5. In BIOS make sure Secure Boot is "Disabled" and FASTBOOT is set either to "Off" or "Thorough." (The Dell E6400 series option is "Thorough.")
  6. Go to the boot "Boot Sequence" and select UEFI under "Boot List Option."
  7. Hit F10 to save changes and reboot the laptop.  Otherwise just hit Apply and Exit.
  8. Immediately hit F12 as the laptop reboots and the CD/DVD option should now be listed under "UEFI Boot." (The CD/DVD needs to be in the CD/DVD drive for that drive to be recognized as a bootable option.)
  9. Move the cursor to the CD/DVD-RW option under "UEFI Boot:" and hit "Enter." The laptop will boot from the bootable DVD and go to the Debian GRUB menu to begin installation.

I hope this helps other who are not sure how to pre-configure your BIOS to install Linux (in my case Debian) on their Windows computer.

anne_droid

3 Apprentice

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649 Posts

April 11th, 2025 16:59

Hi

I don't rightly know.

I would install Debian, either the network install or full distro.......

https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-cd/debian-12.10.0-amd64-netinst.iso

https://mirrorservice.org/sites/cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-dvd/debian-12.10.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso

the netinst is 633 MB, and the full DVD is 3.7 GB.

Partitioning is normally done via the install menu, and there should be a default option for the distro to partition everything itself.  Then install.

Secure Boot can and will work with most Linux Distributions, IE: Debian, so that is not a concern.

I feel you should take the first step and try an install.

If in doubt please ask.

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