In this article, we will guide you through a workaround on how to boot from a USB in UEFI mode on a Dell Inspiron. This process can be a bit tricky, but with the right steps, you can successfully boot your Dell Inspiron from a USB in UEFI mode.
To boot from a USB in UEFI mode on a Dell Inspiron, you need to prepare a bootable USB drive, access the BIOS, configure the BIOS settings to enable UEFI mode and secure boot, add a new boot option in the BIOS, and finally select the boot option you created to start the installation process. If these steps don’t work, you can try disabling secure boot or installing in BIOS/CSM/legacy mode and using a boot manager like rEFInd.
Preparing the Bootable USB Drive
Before we start, you need to have a bootable USB drive ready. You can create one using tools like Rufus or Unetbootin. When creating the bootable USB drive, make sure to select the appropriate mode: GPT for newer laptops and MBR for older ones.
Accessing the BIOS
Now, let’s dive into the process. Start by restarting your computer. As soon as the Dell logo appears, press the F12 key. This will take you to the BIOS.
Configuring BIOS Settings
In the BIOS, navigate to the “Boot Sequence” section. Here, make sure that the BIOS is set to UEFI mode. To do this, disable the “Legacy option ROMS” and enable “Secure Boot” if it is not already enabled.
Note: Secure Boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that your PC boots using only software that is trusted by the PC manufacturer.
After making these changes, save and exit the BIOS.
Adding a New Boot Option
When the Dell logo appears again, press F12 to access the boot menu. Do not select the USB key at this point. Instead, enter the BIOS setup by selecting “BIOS Setup”.
In the BIOS setup, go to the “Boot Sequence” section and click on “Add Boot Option”. In the “Add Boot Option” window, enter a name for the boot option, for example, “Ubuntu”.
Next, click the button next to the “File Name” text area and select the appropriate EFI boot file for your distribution. For Ubuntu, choose “SHIMx64.EFI” (or “grubx64.efi” for other distributions).
Note: The EFI boot file is a critical component of the boot process. It contains the necessary instructions for the computer to load the operating system.
After this, save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Booting from the USB
Restart your computer and press F12 when the Dell logo appears to access the boot menu. Now, select the boot option you created in the previous step (not the USB key). The Ubuntu installer should now start, and you can proceed with the installation.
Troubleshooting
If the above steps do not work, you can try disabling secure boot in the BIOS. This can sometimes resolve issues with booting from USB in UEFI mode.
Alternatively, you can try installing in BIOS/CSM/legacy mode and then using the rEFInd boot manager to enable booting Ubuntu. rEFInd is a boot manager for EFI and UEFI platforms forked from and successor to rEFIt.
Conclusion
Booting from a USB in UEFI mode on a Dell Inspiron can be a bit challenging, but with the right steps and a little patience, it’s entirely achievable. We hope this guide has been helpful in navigating this process. As always, if you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from online communities like Dell Community and Ubuntu Forums.
Yes, there are other tools available that can be used to create a bootable USB drive, such as Etcher or Win32 Disk Imager.
No, you will need to create separate bootable USB drives for GPT and MBR modes. The partitioning scheme must match the mode you want to boot in.
If you don’t see the "Boot Sequence" section in the BIOS, try navigating through other sections or tabs to find the boot options. The location of the boot settings may vary depending on the BIOS version.
Adding a new boot option in the BIOS allows you to specify the EFI boot file for your operating system. This ensures that the computer can recognize and boot from the USB drive in UEFI mode.
If the Ubuntu installer does not start after selecting the boot option, try restarting the computer and selecting the boot option again. If the issue persists, double-check that you have selected the correct EFI boot file and consider seeking help from online communities or technical support.
Yes, you can enable secure boot after installing Ubuntu. However, it is recommended to disable secure boot during the installation process to avoid potential compatibility issues.
rEFInd is a boot manager for EFI and UEFI platforms. It allows you to select and boot different operating systems installed on your computer. It can be used as an alternative solution if you encounter issues with booting Ubuntu in UEFI mode.
If you encounter issues during the process, you can seek help from online communities like Dell Community and Ubuntu Forums. These communities have active members who can provide assistance and guidance based on their experiences.
