Unable to install Kubuntu Linux 20.04 - SSD not seen, no drive to install to. Spin 5

TomCloyd
TomCloyd Member Posts: 18 Troubleshooter
edited January 2021 in Swift and Spin Series
This is a new Acer Spin 5, with 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD. Win10 is installed. BIOS is V1.06

When I boot from the Kubuntu 20.04.01 load disk, KB loads to RAM fine, but won't install. The partition manager reveals that no HD is seen to install to.

I have never seen this problem, in some 20 years of installing Windows OS alternatives. I made very minor modification to BIOS prior to trying the install: Fast boot disabled; F12 boot menu on; supervisor and user passwords set; password on on boot set on. None of that should matter. I suspect some security feature established for Windows is interfering but I have not idea what that might be.

Any ideas what I can do to get KB installed?

Best Answer

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,234 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Likely your system is setup with the Intel Rapid Storage Technology, and the Kubuntu kernel doesn't have support for that compiled in. Backup the Windows environment then switch to SSD to AHCI mode (the backup will help if that mucks with the drive partitioning). In AHCI mode you should be able to see the SSD without requiring IRST drivers.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,234 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Likely your system is setup with the Intel Rapid Storage Technology, and the Kubuntu kernel doesn't have support for that compiled in. Backup the Windows environment then switch to SSD to AHCI mode (the backup will help if that mucks with the drive partitioning). In AHCI mode you should be able to see the SSD without requiring IRST drivers.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • TomCloyd
    TomCloyd Member Posts: 18 Troubleshooter
    Thanks! That definitely is a crucial issue, but there are some others, and I needed detailed instructions. For example, switching to AHCI mode is done....how? Well all that and more is covered here, and my gratitude is boundless:

    https://sciactive.com/2020/12/04/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-acer-spin-5-sp513-54n-for-the-perfect-linux-2-in-1/

    THAT got my Spin5 install of Kubuntu up and running. What a machine this is. Far and away the best I've ever owned or seen. Now if only Acer would back off from its fixation on Windows and provide decent howtos for more than one OS. 

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