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-   -   Help! New Lenovo Idea Pad Slim 5i! (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-laptop-and-netbook-25/help-new-lenovo-idea-pad-slim-5i-4175735105/)

anon298 03-20-2024 08:29 AM
Help! New Lenovo Idea Pad Slim 5i!
 
Guys, I just purchased a new Lenovo Idea Pad Slim 5i laptop and I cannot figure out how to change the boot order in the BIOS.

In the brief time that I've had it, I did find a video that demonstrates how one can insert a very small pin into a very small hole, on the right side of the laptop, to force a BIOS screen to appear during boot; however, I can't seem to find a small enough "pin" to do the job!

My intent is to delete the current Windows OS installation, then install Linux Mint 21.3 (Cinnamon).

Thank you, in advance, for your help, guys & gals!

TB0ne 03-20-2024 09:09 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FenderGuy (Post 6490810)
Guys, I just purchased a new Lenovo Idea Pad Slim 5i laptop and I cannot figure out how to change the boot order in the BIOS. In the brief time that I've had it, I did find a video that demonstrates how one can insert a very small pin into a very small hole, on the right side of the laptop, to force a BIOS screen to appear during boot; however, I can't seem to find a small enough "pin" to do the job! My intent is to delete the current Windows OS installation, then install Linux Mint 21.3 (Cinnamon).
Did you try looking at the user manual???
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/p...r-bios-ideapad

...where it has several keys to try, such as F2 or F12??? A random YouTube video probably isn't the best source of information.

hazel 03-20-2024 11:24 AM
Some Lenovos have a special "Lenovo key" to get into the bios, usually F3.

beachboy2 03-20-2024 12:45 PM
FederGuy,

I guess you are already reading the manual:

https://www.manuals.co.uk/lenovo/ideapad-5i/manual

Your model does have a Novo button hole located on the right hand side, as opposed to a Novo button on the keyboard.

You will need to find a suitably sized pin or paperclip to press the internal Novo button.

NB UEFI is the ONLY boot option on this model. There is no Legacy/CSM boot available.

Therefore, do not delete the existing FAT32 EFI system partition (esp).

Keep it (sda1) and then later create 3 new partitions for root, swap and Home.

I would recommend using GParted on a USB bootable drive to remove the surplus Windows partitions (NOT esp) and create 3 additional Linux partitions before you boot from the Linux Mint USB drive.

TB0ne 03-20-2024 01:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachboy2 (Post 6490846)
FederGuy,
I guess you are already reading the manual: https://www.manuals.co.uk/lenovo/ideapad-5i/manual

Your model does have a Novo button hole located on the right hand side, as opposed to a Novo button on the keyboard. You will need to find a suitably sized pin or paperclip to press the internal Novo button. NB UEFI is the ONLY boot option on this model. There is no Legacy/CSM boot available. Therefore, do not delete the existing FAT32 EFI system partition (esp).

Keep it (sda1) and then later create 3 new partitions for root, swap and Home.

I would recommend using GParted on a USB bootable drive to remove the surplus Windows partitions (NOT esp) and create 3 additional Linux partitions before you boot from the Linux Mint USB drive.
From page 22 of that manual you posted:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenovo Manual
When the Lenovo logo appears on the screen, press F2 repeatedly. Note: For computers with hotkey mode enabled, press Fn + F2
Same instructions as the user manual I posted earlier.

anon298 03-20-2024 02:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by hazel (Post 6490836)
Some Lenovos have a special "Lenovo key" to get into the bios, usually F3.
It's F12 on my Lenovo. I got in, but all I want to do is delete Windows so I can get my beloved Linux OS back!

TB0ne 03-20-2024 03:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FenderGuy (Post 6490862)
It's F12 on my Lenovo. I got in, but all I want to do is delete Windows so I can get my beloved Linux OS back!
Ok, so change the boot order to USB and run the installer. What's holding you up?? If you installed it before, what's the issue now?

anon298 03-20-2024 07:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TB0ne (Post 6490865)
Ok, so change the boot order to USB and run the installer. What's holding you up?? If you installed it before, what's the issue now?
Well, in my attempts to decipher the issue, I discovered that I could no longer boot into BIOS. 🙁

anon298 03-20-2024 07:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by hazel (Post 6490836)
Some Lenovos have a special "Lenovo key" to get into the bios, usually F3.
Mine is F12, and it didn't do a thing. :(

anon298 03-20-2024 07:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachboy2 (Post 6490846)
FederGuy,

I guess you are already reading the manual:

https://www.manuals.co.uk/lenovo/ideapad-5i/manual

Your model does have a Novo button hole located on the right hand side, as opposed to a Novo button on the keyboard.

You will need to find a suitably sized pin or paperclip to press the internal Novo button.

NB UEFI is the ONLY boot option on this model. There is no Legacy/CSM boot available.

Therefore, do not delete the existing FAT32 EFI system partition (esp).

Keep it (sda1) and then later create 3 new partitions for root, swap and Home.

I would recommend using GParted on a USB bootable drive to remove the surplus Windows partitions (NOT esp) and create 3 additional Linux partitions before you boot from the Linux Mint USB drive.
Good stuff. Thanks.

beachboy2 03-21-2024 03:42 AM
FenderGuy,

Just to add that you may also need to disable Secure Boot (and Fast Boot?) as well as making USB HDD the first item in the Boot Order.

I prefer to pre-partition the drive using GParted, but you can use the Linux Mint installer itself to do this by selecting "Something else" at the partitioning stage.

anon298 03-21-2024 07:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachboy2 (Post 6490978)
FenderGuy,

Just to add that you may also need to disable Secure Boot (and Fast Boot?) as well as making USB HDD the first item in the Boot Order.

I prefer to pre-partition the drive using GParted, but you can use the Linux Mint installer itself to do this by selecting "Something else" at the partitioning stage.

I'll check it out, beachboy2.

...hmmm... I never had this problem with my Samsung, until I suddenly lost the ability to access the BIOS!

anon298 03-21-2024 07:56 AM
Oh, well, gonna give it one more try today, then it's going back to Staple's, for a return!

anon298 03-21-2024 10:23 PM
News Flash! Got my new Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i (16", 8FB RAM) back on track, after a visit back to vendor! I'm a happy camper! ��


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