Not long ago I acquired a gently used Acer AspireOne Netbook (model D257. Intel Atom 1.6ghz with 2gb RAM and 250gb HD) it came with Windows 7 Starter.

It ran slow (as can be expected with a netbook) but I was able to wipe the drive and install Linux Mint 19.3 32bit. However I was stupid and tried installing Windows 10
on it. After the installer froze up I decided to start over.

However, try as I might I cannot get any bootloader to successfully save. I've run Boot Repair from a live drive but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Nor can I get any other Linux installer to boot besides Mint 19.3 or Linux Lite. I have
been able to get the same USB installer to run on other computers.

This computer isn't fancy enough to provide an option for Legacy boot in the BIOS. It's version 1.14 for those curious.

run boot-repair boot-info and post the results

With no usb plugged in does it boot into linux mint?

with no usb plugged in it will show the bootloader, but after making a selection there is no error just a blinking cursor and nothing loads

when the bootloader comes up press e for edit. deleted the "quiet splash $vt_handoff" and add nomodeset on the line that begins with linux.

starsage77,

I think post #13 will help:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ok-4175616648/

Extract:

Step-by-Step:

N.B. The following worked to install Linux Mint as my only OS - I don't know how this would work if you're wanting a dual boot set up.
I used another notebook with Windows on it for steps 1, 2 & 3.

1. Create a bootable USB stick https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...(v=ws.11).aspx
2. Download the latest version of Linux Mint and save it to your hard drive https://linuxmint.com/download.php
3. Burn an ISO of the download onto the USB stick using Rufus Portable https://rufus.akeo.ie/
4. Plug the USB into the laptop on which you want to install Linux and start it up
5. When the Acer logo appears hold down the F2 key to enter the BIOS
6. Set a supervisor password (and write it down!), disable Secure Boot and select the USB stick with Linux on it as the first choice in the Boot tab
7. Hit F10 > Enter to save changes and reboot - your notebook should now boot into a live version of Linux Mint (running from the USB stick)
8. Double click on the Install Linux Mint icon and follow the instructions: When prompted don't connect to the Internet, and choose to wipe the drive (erase all data) and install Linux Mint - let the software take care of creating partitions etc.
9. Once the installation is complete, before you restart, open a terminal by hitting Ctrl, Alt & T simultaneously. Type, or copy & paste, the following:
sudo efibootmgr -c -L "Windows Boot Manager" -l "\EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi"
then hit Enter. All being well you should now see the cursor flashing after a "$" on the next line in the terminal window
10. Shutdown using the Menu button in the bottom left corner of your screen
11. Once shut down remove the USB stick and then power up again - hopefully your notebook will boot straight into the login page for Linux Mint, indicating success.

If you get the No Bootable Device screen again then you could try again with steps 1-8, then in step 9 type, or copy & paste, the following instead:
sudo efibootmgr -c -L "Windows Boot Manager" -l "\EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi"

can that be done from rescue mode command line or do I need to be in a live desktop?

Boot from live media such as Linux Mint.

Then at point number 9, once the installation is complete, before you restart, open a terminal using Ctrl + Alt + T.

"EFI variables are not supported on this system"
there also was no option for Secure Boot in the BIOS

When you first turn on the system hold the shift key, should get a grub menu similar to what is this link:
https://www.howtogeek.com/196520/gru...s-boot-loader/
This is where you would press e to edit the linux line.

if my system is only 32bit wouldn't I change any reference of 64?

Only change the items I mentioned for the moment.

Here's what I get when I press shift after booting
I hope this picture is okay. I don't know where I can enter the info you provided

Attached Thumbnails

 

at the line that begins with linux delete everything after ro and rplace with the word nomodset
The press ctrl-x to boot