Does Linux bypass PC BIOS settings ?

joboy · 10-13-2023, 12:28 AM

I am installing Mint Debian on a Thinkpad USB drive, where there are multiple internal drives on the notebook with other Linux distro, to prevent overwriting the bootloader to the wrong drive I removed all internal drives on the notebook, I only boot the installer via USB and install to another USB drive, that worked before. This time I simply disable the internal drive via BIOS, but the installer still see all my drives why is that ?

mrmazda · 10-13-2023, 01:34 AM

Linux doesn't need the BIOS to access disks. Drivers enable the kernel to see and access them.

jefro · 10-13-2023, 07:04 AM

You kinda have to be careful on updates.

Any OS can effect bios and other storage data.

If you need to protect the hard drive then you have to remove it.

enigma9o7 · 10-13-2023, 03:31 PM

Would disabling the sata controller work?

dugan · 10-13-2023, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joboy

This time I simply disable the internal drive via BIOS, but the installer still see all my drives why is that ?

Did you do it like this? Or some other way?

https://digitalworld839.com/turn-off...ve-using-bios/

joboy · 10-13-2023, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugan

Did you do it like this? Or some other way?

https://digitalworld839.com/turn-off...ve-using-bios/

Yes and sorry for the confusion. I installed few times the same day to fix some problem, and I find that simply disable the drive via BIOS will not prevent Linux from accessing it, so better remove unused drives to avoid problem due to careless mistake.

joboy · 10-13-2023, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enigma9o7

Would disabling the sata controller work?

There's no such option to disable the i/f, but to remove it from the startup drive list.