this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2025
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~~Trying to unlock and put Linux on a locked, proprietary pc and I need some help~~ 2 years of compsci isn’t worth a $20 pc. I’m returning it and getting my money back. Details in post (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by Gullible@sh.itjust.works to c/linux@lemmy.world
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Final edit: having now done more research, the bios is secured and to get to boot options would essentially involve manually editing the bios with a second computer and downloading Chinese software to finish the job. I think I’m just returning this one. This is a bit beyond my skill level

I purchased a Lenovo mini pc online to turn into my second ever Linux machine (whoo), and when I tried booting it up for the first time, I found it asking for a network to sync data from an Amazon employee. I will be frank, fuck Amazon. If someone stole it, I hope the lost money was enough to cause Bezos to shit himself and die, only for a clone to rise in his place to do the same in a never-ending Sisyphean hellscape of skin peeling feculent horror. The fantasy that my holding on to this, and it is likely a fantasy, will affect Amazon is a bonus, not a detriment.

Now, that said, it was probably resold from Amazon’s stock at a decent discount, but not wiped. How can I install Linux on a machine that I don’t actually have full access to? I’m passably tech savvy, and more than willing to learn more to get back on Linux after 10 years of Microsoft pissing me off.

TLDR: How can I install Linux on an Amazon OS machine that I don’t actually have full access to?

Edit: my flash drive is ready, just struggling to get to the boot menu at this point. I can only mash so hard for so long!

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[–] MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If mashing keys isn't working, try the Novo button instead - most Lenovo mini PCs have this tiny pinhole or button (usually on the side/back) that you press with a paperclip to directly access the boot menu without the keyboard mashng frustration.

[–] Gullible@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago

You got me pretty excited for a minute, but unfortunately this model doesn’t have one. I really appreciate the help, though. I have only a few more keys to try, before I loop back to the beginning with a fresher arm