[SOLVED] FW16 unable to boot Linux livecds: cannot find media (USB error)

Framework Laptop 16 Linux
1

Brand new laptop. I’ve tried booting both Gentoo and Linux Mint. Both complain about not being able to find the media root.

Gentoo error:

(I enter keymap and press enter)
mknod /newroot/dev/tty0: File Exists
>> Looking for the cdrom
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram0
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram1
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram2
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram3
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram4
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram5
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram6
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram7
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram8
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram9
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram10
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram11
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram12
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram13
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram14
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram15
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/nvme0n1
!! Media not found
** No bootable medium found. Waiting for new devices ...
>> Looking for the cdrom
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram0
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram1
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram2
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram3
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram4
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram5
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram6
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram7
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram8
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram9
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram10
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram11
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram12
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram13
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram14
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/ram15
>> Attempting to mount media: /dev/nvme0n1
!! Media not found
!! Could not find CD to boot, something else needed!
>> Determining root device (trying) ........
!! Block device is not a valid root device ...
!! Could not find the root block device in .
!! Please specify another value or:
!! - press Enter for the same
!! - type "shell" for a shell
!! - type "q" to skip ...
root block device() :: _

Linux mint simply says:

Unable to find a medium containing a live file system

when I press ctrl + alt + del to restart after failing to boot gentoo or linux mint, it will hang on the framework logo and not boot. I have to power off the laptop and power on again to get it to attempt boot.

Also I just noticed these linux errors in Linux Mint boot:

ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: unknown error 0
ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: con1: failed to register partner alt modes (-5)
ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: unknown error 256
ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: con3: failed to register partner alt modes (-5)
usb 1-3.2: unable to get BOS descriptor set
usb 1-4.2: unable to get BOS descriptor set
ucsi_acpi USBC000:00: ucsi_handle_connector_change: GET_CONNECTOR_STATUS failed (-5)

I also tried various ports for the USBA (front, rear, back) but with no change to the above.

2

Did you disable secure boot by chance?
Don´t know if the gentoo kernel is signed. Dunno about Mint.
Also - how did you create your boot devices?

3

yes I disabled secure boot. I created the boot devices using dd.

4

Was the USB key crafted properly? It sounds like maybe no?

5

That will not always work with the regular images. Use balenaEtcher ( see the guide for the ubuntu iso image under Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Installation on the Framework Laptop 16 - Framework Guides).

6

it’s the recommended way to burn the iso for gentoo and linux mint. I’ve tried the USB on other computers and it works fine. This issue is specific to FW16 and not the USB’s hardware or how it’s flashed.

7

ok. In that case, load the defaults in the BIOS and see if it works.

8

as mentioned before, this is a brand new laptop where the issue occurred without any changes to the BIOS from defaults. Nonetheless I reset BIOS to defaults and retried- the same error still persists.

9

basically in the normal gentoo boot, you see it searching for the media root, and then it will find it in /dev/sdb, but in the framework one, that device never appears. We only see /dev/ramX and /dev/nvmeX. The USB /dev mounts are missing for some reason, hence the liveusb boot isn’t working.

10

hey guys I tried another usb stick and it works

11

Hey gnu_slash_framework,

I am a Batch 19 member and added the 64GB high-speed RAM kit to my order. I was able to create Mint and Ubuntu live USB thumbdrives using Rufus on another Windows 11 laptop I have. I made sure to disable Secure Boot and both of the live thumbdrives booted off of back Left and Right USB-C modules w/o any other changes. I just use Sandisk 32GB Ultra Dualdrive (USB-C / USB-A). I was even able to create a Ventoy Live thumbdrive with Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin, Manharo, and Elementary OS and they all load clean. Also a Windows-to-Go (Win 11) works clean, just slow to load compared to Linux versions. So a unit in good order is capable.

I’m wondering if one of your accessory modules is causing an issue with the main board or your choice of RAM (if not purchased/approved by FW) may be contributing to your issue. Does anything install and work on your laptop since you received it? Or are you just having issues with Live USB drives booting a Linux OS? Also, wasn’t their a BIOS update a couple of months ago? Did you check if your system already has that (v.3.05?)?

Thanx,
Wio
Proud Citizen of Texas