MX Linux Forum

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 8:51 am**

I have enough knowledge to get me in trouble!!

I have a smaller than I would like hard drive and would like to add a 2nd drive ( Samsung 870 EVO SSD ) to my machine then set that drive up as my boot drive. Before I order the drive I thought I would ask. I have dug around and it seems I can add a 2nd drive to my laptop and and 2.5" sata 3 ssd will work. The directions to install seem pretty straight forward.

Are there any issues I should expect with MX?

Thanks in advance!

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System:    Host: <filter> Kernel: 4.19.0-13-amd64 x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 8.3.0 
           parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-13-amd64 
           root=UUID=<filter> ro quiet splash 
           Desktop: KDE Plasma 5.14.5 tk: Qt 5.11.3 wm: kwin_x11 dm: LightDM 1.26.0 
           Distro: MX-19.4_x64 patito feo October 21  2019 base: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP ProBook 6550b v: N/A 
           serial: <filter> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 146D v: KBC Version 73.11 serial: <filter> 
           BIOS: Hewlett-Packard v: 68CDE Ver. F.01 date: 06/25/2010 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT0 charge: 41.9 Wh condition: 44.4/56.6 Wh (78%) volts: 12.3/11.1 
           model: Hewlett-Packard Primary type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: Unknown 
           Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 serial: <filter> 
           charge: 55% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes status: Discharging 
CPU:       Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i7 M 620 bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Nehalem 
           family: 6 model-id: 25 (37) stepping: 5 microcode: 7 L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 21277 
           Speed: 1352 MHz min/max: 1199/2667 MHz boost: enabled Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1407 
           2: 1398 3: 1334 4: 1452 
           Vulnerabilities: Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: Vulnerable 
           Type: l1tf mitigation: PTE Inversion 
           Type: mds 
           status: Vulnerable: Clear CPU buffers attempted, no microcode; SMT vulnerable 
           Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI 
           Type: spec_store_bypass 
           mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via prctl and seccomp 
           Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization 
           Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Full generic retpoline, IBPB: conditional, IBRS_FW, 
           STIBP: conditional, RSB filling 
           Type: srbds status: Not affected 
           Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics vendor: Hewlett-Packard 
           driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0046 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: intel compositor: kwin_x11 
           resolution: 1024x768~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile v: 2.1 Mesa 18.3.6 
           direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio vendor: Hewlett-Packard 
           driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:3b56 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.19.0-13-amd64 
Network:   Device-1: Intel 82577LC Gigabit Network vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: e1000e 
           v: 3.2.6-k port: 4020 bus ID: 00:19.0 chip ID: 8086:10eb 
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: 4000 
           bus ID: 44:00.0 chip ID: 8086:4239 
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter> 
           IF-ID-1: tun0 state: unknown speed: 10 Mbps duplex: full mac: N/A 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 149.05 GiB used: 94.40 GiB (63.3%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Western Digital model: WD1600BEKT-60V5T1 size: 149.05 GiB 
           block size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 3.0 Gb/s rotation: 7200 rpm 
           serial: <filter> rev: 1A12 scheme: MBR 
Partition: ID-1: / raw size: 117.69 GiB size: 114.84 GiB (97.58%) used: 94.35 GiB (82.2%) 
           fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 2.00 GiB used: 56.0 MiB (2.7%) fs: swap 
           swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache pressure: 100 (default) dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 56.0 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list 
           1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates main contrib non-free
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list 
           1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main contrib non-free
           2: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian-security buster/updates main contrib non-free
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list 
           1: deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list 
           1: deb https://mirror.kku.ac.th/mx-packages/mx/repo/ buster main non-free
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera-stable.list 
           1: deb https://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list 
           1: deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/teams.list 
           1: deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/ms-teams stable main
           No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list 
Info:      Processes: 251 Uptime: 6d 2h 54m Memory: 7.59 GiB used: 4.33 GiB (57.1%) 
           Init: SysVinit v: 2.93 runlevel: 5 default: 5 Compilers: gcc: 8.3.0 alt: 8 
           Shell: quick-system-in running in: quick-system-in inxi: 3.0.36

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 9:38 am**

IMHO, the worst thing that can happen is having to add your SSD where your HDD is now, and the HDD in the now empty slot.

If the storage allows it, you can clone the root and home partitions as they are. If not, you can always use the MX Live USB Maker.

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 10:30 am**

Well, I bought the same sammy 870 evo and using it. You seem to have extra hdd bay which should suffice the upgrade.

You have a BIOS update: Release date:Nov 30, 2015 File name:sp73917.exe
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/se ... pc/4173845

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 10:58 am**

@agnivo007 by chance do you have a link for linux instructions? Just a quick search it seems I have to boot up into windoes, make a live usb, then boot into bios. Thanks!

@radonrose I thought that might be the way to go. Make a live usb, flash the os to the new ssd and set it to boot 1st. Might be a simpler way, but my pay grade might not be high enough! LOL

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 12:50 pm**

https://clonezilla.org/

Rob

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 2:28 pm**

You can copy all partitions one by one on live session without extra things. (And finally install grub on the new drive using "MX Boot Repair" on live-session.)

On live-session GParted: (Just like copying a directory from here to there) : Right-click on partition: "copy" , then change device from upper-right, right-click on "unallocated space": "paste". That's it. (even the uuids will stay the same)

Or, again on live session just use the terminal: gzip .. then (whenever you like) gunzip:

viewtopic.php?p=524785#p524785

viewtopic.php?p=526112#p526112

Not to mention "dd".

And as you already mentioned: "MX Snapshot". Maybe the simplest of all. Nothing to know special, just install it as you install the official MX.

Just, in case you can't see an icon to Install - that happens mostly on personal snapshots - : open a terminal:
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```
mx-pkexec minstall
```

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 2:39 pm**

I'm on phone now, will check and try to post alternative bios flashing instructions later.

Posted: **Wed May 19, 2021 11:36 pm**

@GlockdocVegas Officially, the HP exe supports STANDALONE UPDATING and also making a bootable USB bios updater drive which requires Windows to function. What I understand is that you do not have installed/access to a windows machine or VM. Am I right?

So, if you have windows installed on the same machine just run the HP exe file and choose update bios. If not, from a different windows machine, get a usb key made by the exe and boot with it on this system.

If you don't have access to windows:
Can you please confirm if your BIOS setup menu (F10) has any options to update firmware from file/usb key? I ask because a lot of old HP BIOSs may not have this feature (yours is from 2010) while modern ones can just auto-update over a LAN port! Just go into every menu and check for "firmware update" , "flash system rom" and post results.

Posted: **Thu May 20, 2021 4:58 am**

So yes, I can add the ssd and, once I fix the next issue, should be able to boot just fine.

After adding the drive I got the option at to boot from either drive from BIOS. MX, however, did not see the drive. Played around with it and realized I needed to format it. Used USB format, show all drives, and now mx sees it. Not sure that was my best option, but it was the one I could find. Not sure if MX thinks it is a usb or if that even matters. Would hate to kill the ssd speed advantage because I formatted it wrong.

Next problem is mxlive usb maker does not give me ANY way to pull my iso file off the 2nd drive. It's 60g which is more space than I have on my main drive. The only 60g usb I have handy is the one I am going to use for the live usb.....but then this is a different topic and I will make a different post.

Thank you to all of your that helped out.

***UPDATE****** Switched from KDE desktopto XFCE desktop and was able to pull my iso off the 2nd drive. Solved that issue before I could post to help.

Posted: **Thu May 20, 2021 5:57 am**

You need to partition the new disk properly, not just a USB format you did (forcing the utility on a hdd). Better follow the partition copy paste method as given in the earlier post. I'm sorry to say, you kindly messed up the thing without asking anyone. Creating a fresh partition table and asking for steps would have helped, not rushing into it. I wonder if you have successfully moved the install...

I didn't hear from you regarding BIOS, guess you don't want to do it right now?

Posted: **Thu May 20, 2021 7:31 am**

@agnivo007 forgive me, 1 thing at a time. Until I get the ssd booting up bios is on the back burner. I do appreciate the info and will get it done after the ssd is running. I might even throw windoes on my current hdd to speed things up as I don't have windoes here at home.

As for moving the install, no. My plan was to do a system snapshot then just boot up and install the system that way. Might not work as live usb maker hung at 99% and moved my usb over to the usb 3 port and started over, not that being on usb 2 had anything to do with it.

Gparted is not my friend. I have used it some but am pretty much lost, but always managed to do what I needed to do. Went back and re read the previous post and it sounds straightforward enough.

How do I un mess up what I have done or will doing the copy/paste mentioned above fix it? Won't a fresh install from the live usb wipe everything and format it properly?

Posted: **Thu May 20, 2021 8:43 am**

GlockdocVegas wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 7:31 amWon't a fresh install from the live usb wipe everything and format it properly?

Of course. You can do it either with the official MX iso and your own snapshot iso. Either Auto-install or Custom install. Just go on, whichever you like :)

Posted: **Thu May 20, 2021 10:29 am**

DONE!! And blazing fast compared to the hdd was using previously. I can only imagine what the M2 sdds can do. Next laptop perhaps.

@Huckleberry Finn thanks for the heads up on the missing install icon. Saved me some frustration.

@agnivo007 Now I can work on BIOS tomorrow. Time to get the kids ready for bed here in Thailand.

Posted: **Fri May 21, 2021 4:06 am**

@agnivo007 After installing windoes 10 in virtual box and trying for an hour or so to download the blasted file I have decided the bios update just isn't worth it. HP won't let me just download the file. the download and installer wouldn't work. No idea how to create the bootable disk from an exe file IF I could download it.

On side note, 10 ran extremely well in virtual box, even though I only gave it 2g or ram.

Thank you for your input though. I appreciate it.

Posted: **Fri May 21, 2021 5:14 am**

@GlockdocVegas OK, you put quite an effort I see. How about the firmware flash menu in bios? Did you find it?
I can help you do it (including uploading the required bin file) this way if the system supports.

Update:
Download the BIN ROM I uploaded from the HP softpaq : https://easyupload.io/mr3xbw
Copy it to a FAT32 formatted USB key (on root directoy), plug it in, reboot and use this menu from BIOS:

After a successful update, shutdown the system, re-enter the BIOS and check if settings are OK (flashing resets to defaults often).

Posted: **Sat May 22, 2021 6:56 am**

@agnivo007 forgot to answer that question....no, the bios menu did not have any update settings. Actually the bios on my machine is the worst I have ever had. Just terrible to navigate compared to all my previous machines.

I downloaded the file ( thank you ) and am fixing to flash it. I have questions so I don't fry my bios...will this usb boot me directly into the bios set up utility pictured( looks nothing like the bios on my machine )? When I click flash system rom and select usb, are all the files on the usb I just booted from?

Thanks!!

Posted: **Sat May 22, 2021 9:44 am**

I gave you the way to get into BIOS (F10) with the bin file in fat32 usb plugged in, select the menu in attached picture and proceed. It is not a bootable usb!

You mean to say you are unable to find any such "flash" menu by entering the bios pressing F10?

The reason I insist a BIOS update is its the first, initial release on your system currently and a lot of important fixes were eventually incorporated which can make your old system more compatible with current OSs.

If the above way doesn't work (you don't have flashing built into the BIOS menu, I seriously doubt it for a HP!), this is the FINAL way:

You seem to have a Windows VM running. Plug in the USB key (you'll lose all data on it) and Start windows in virtualbox. From the menu, Devices>USB>tick the usb key. It will be attached to windows. Open a browser and download this file: https://filebin.net/rr0qeqhd304x8y1i
Run the file and choose to make bootable USB key. Reboot system and boot with this usb key.

Posted: **Sat May 22, 2021 10:43 am**

@agnivo007 nope, went back and looked again. Nowhere to flash the bios from bios. my bios looks NOTHING like the picture. Took screenshots.
VM won't recognize any usb plugged in. USB is ticked under devices, but it doesn't recognize any of my usb drives.

Guess I will wait until I go to our shop, boot into windows, and see if I can make the bootable usb there.

Posted: **Tue May 25, 2021 1:43 am**

@agnivo007 Thank you much for your time and effort, but, alas, after making 2 different usb sticks and 2 different windoes machines and have neither one boot, I am done.

dowloanded the file, clicked "make bootable usb", let it do its thing, and neither would boot.

I appreciate all your effort. I dooooo love the Linux community!

Posted: **Tue May 25, 2021 3:18 am**

You can't flash the BIOS from within a virtual machine, if that's what you're trying to do. The VM can't directly access the host computer's hardware. That's why it's called a "virtual" machine. If you can only flash BIOS within Windows, Windows has to be installed on "bare metal." You should be able to create a bootable flash drive in a Windows VM though provided that you've set up your VM correctly so the guest OS can access the USB stick.

Here's your user manual if it helps: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02288444.pdf
And here's how to flash the BIOS: https://support.hp.com/ro-en/document/c00042629
VirtualBox documentation for end-users: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/End-user_documentation

It would be easier if you just use someone's Windows computer for a few minutes to make the bootable BIOS USB stick on though.

Posted: **Tue May 25, 2021 8:00 am**

@GlockdocVegas Given the work we have put into it and using different possible methods, let us then put this to sleep and let the old lappy be comfortable with what it boots from till it dies eventually...
@JayM Yes, he tried to just write to the usb key from VM, not flash. Also used other Windows PC to make the bootable usb, didn't work as promised by HP.

Posted: **Tue May 25, 2021 8:14 pm**

agnivo007 wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 8:00 am @JayM Yes, he tried to just write to the usb key from VM, not flash. Also used other Windows PC to make the bootable usb, didn't work as promised by HP.

Then I'd say it's time to contact HP.

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Can I add an ssd and boot from it?? <SOLVED>

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