Can not boot from USB

Retro6 · 29 Apr 2026 at 19:52

I have an HP DC7900 new SSD blank nothing on it.

I created a bootable USB drive with Debian 13 which works as I've used it on other machines without issues. When the USB drive is inserted and I power on the computer I'm left with a black screen and blinking cursor. I can't find any options in the BIOS for disable Secure Boot and Fast Boot in BIOS/UEFI,or Legacy boot.

I have also tested other bootable Linux USB drives on this machine with the same results but I have tested them on other machines and they boot from the USB drives so no issues there. I've been through the BIOS countless times checking every single option and I'm not getting anywhere with it.

Edit: OK I'm finally getting somewhere with it... I tried a Ubuntu MATE bootable USB and that booted so it must be something to do with the way the USB drive is formatted or the way the image was written to the USB device, I have normally used Balena Etcher in the past but for some reason Balena Etcher no longer works. My other option is Ventoy and that is what I used to create the Debian 13 bootable USB drive which worked on other machines. Because Balena Etcher no longer works anymore "even older versions" I will have to give old Rufus a go.

Tetras · 29 Apr 2026 at 20:13

AI says you should use F9 to open the boot menu, tried mashing it?

Retro6 · 29 Apr 2026 at 20:21

Tetras said:
AI says you should use F9 to open the boot menu, tried mashing it?

Yeah I tried that... I think I've figured out the issue. I'm going to make another bootable image using Rufus this time and try again. I did manage to get it to boot from an old Ubuntu MATE USB drive.

Retro6 · 29 Apr 2026 at 21:16

Update sorted it I can grow my hair back now.

Tetras · 29 Apr 2026 at 21:17

Retro6 said:
Update sorted it I can grow my hair back now.

What fixed it?

Philtor · 29 Apr 2026 at 21:19

I tried Balena Etcher once and it didn’t work right. Stick to Rufus imo.

Retro6 · 30 Apr 2026 at 10:57

Tetras said:
What fixed it?

I used Rufus and recreated the bootable USB with the Debian ISO image. I guess using Ventoy to write images to USB doesn't always work when booting it on different computers.

nade · 1 May 2026 at 07:46

Retro6 said:
I used Rufus and recreated the bootable USB with the Debian ISO image. I guess using Ventoy to write images to USB doesn't always work when booting it on different computers.

Just seeing the post now and was going to suggest trying Rufus. I've had some weird issues in the past and always ended up going back to Rufus.

I've seen there's literally a new version from end of April to help remove copilot and some other stuff. But i've been using it mostly to get around the issue of trying to use a local account on new installs.

JonMuler · 6 May 2026 at 15:02

Retro6 said:
I used Rufus and recreated the bootable USB with the Debian ISO image. I guess using Ventoy to write images to USB doesn't always work when booting it on different computers.

Glad to hear Rufus sorted it for you! It really is the "gold standard" when Ventoy or Etcher decide to be temperamental, especially with older enterprise gear like those HPs. I’ve noticed the same thing—Ventoy is brilliant when it works, but some older BIOS just refuse to play ball with its multi-boot structure.