I just got this Elitebook 2730p and I cannot for the life of me install a Linux DIstro -- want Crunchbang -- I flashed the BIOS update already. it boots to the install then when it gets to find and remount CD it fails leaving me with having to abort the install --

anyone know of any 64 bit Linux Debian preferred install that will work ? I'd rather have Crunchbang but anything is better then nothing

as well as I am running win 8.1 and I can go back to win 7 to get an eaier dual boot -- are their any hang ups using win7 as I have read that win 8 has Grub 2 issues due to win 8.1 does not use MBR

You trying to install from CD or from USB? I have and have had multiple Elitebooks from that timeframe and have never had an issue with installing base Debian 64-bit from USB.

As far as booting, if Windows 8 is installed in MBR mode, grub2 can boot no issues with it (this is how my Elitebook 8740 is installed). If it's installed in EFI/GPT mode, then you would need grub2-efi instead of vanilla grub2. Win8 can be installed in MBR mode, it's just that by default it uses EFI/GPT mode. IF it's in GPT mode you can always turn on legacy mode in the firmware to emulate a BIOS and give the option of dual booting normally with GRUB. Note that if Win8 is in EFI mode, turning on legacy support may require a reinstall.

Debian 8 (Jessie) installed w/o any problems on my 64-bit Sony.
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Syste...ux-25655.shtml

I never had any hang ups with Fedora and Window 7 in a dual boot.

-::-You might have to go into the BIOS on your Elitebook and "disable the secure boot" in order to install Linux.-::-

After you install Linux if your Windows 8 os doesn't show in the Grub Menu you can run:
Next time you boot you should be able to choose which os you want to run.

I tried both the SD Card booted up with both Linux Crunchbang (Debain based) and Debian -- it is after I set the lang and location then it goes back to seeking CD it does not find the SD CARD again then I ended up having to pick abort --


after I flashed the BIOS then the usb stick finally worked and ended up doing the very same thing -- it's like it dismounts the media then cannot find it again


as far as how this is installed it is a pawn shop had OS already on it model

and I don't think my BIOS has that many options you spoke of
it has a boot list including a CD ROM but the CD ROM does not even boot looked again and it does not have that separate option to check it like the SD CARD and other methods that I can not use to boot with