I took out a laptop 2.5in HDD, and I connected it to a Linux Ubuntu 14.04 server machine via a USB SATA cable. I can't get it to mount, or have it appear. I think the HDD is bad, but I wanted to be reassured before purchasing a new one. Return policies for these devices are pretty vague, and I don't want a $100 some dollar paperweight. The laptop will boot and run linux live cd, but it won't install. It is also a new UEFI bios, but settings are set to legacy. Legacy, I believe allows other than windows to be installed. Not sure if anyone has any input.

Were there any error messages?
Could you post the output of "dmesg" and "ls /dev"? (You can get this from a terminal)

There is no reason you could not install Ubuntu using UEFI/GPT. You should have an option when you boot the install medium.

You can Install ubuntu 14.04 on uefi lenovo idea pad n586 using UEFI/GPT.You will get an option wen you boot the medium install.