[SOLVED] Installing Debian 10 on a multiboot desktop system

The installation of "debian-10.7.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso" seemingly went fine. When restarting, the GRUB menu shows the additional entry, but launching it leads to a frozen booting process, see picture.
Ctrl+Alt+Del has no effect and the computer has to be powered off.

The two other operating systems (Windows 8 and Debian 9) can be rebooted normally.

What can I do to find out the cause of the problem, taking into account that this computer cannot connect to the internet?

Note also that, as live OS:

- these fail to boot:

debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-gnome.iso
debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-cinnamon.iso

- but these boot normally:

debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-gnome+nonfree.iso
KNOPPIX_V8.6.1-2019-10-14-EN.iso
slitaz-rolling-core64.iso

Originally Posted by PaulExordium Note also that, as live OS: - these fail to boot: debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-gnome.iso debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-cinnamon.iso - but these boot normally: debian-live-10.7.0-amd64-gnome+nonfree.iso KNOPPIX_V8.6.1-2019-10-14-EN.iso slitaz-rolling-core64.iso

Debian will boot its base OS on free and open-source hardware and software.
But if you have an AMD computer with non-free drivers (software) - then it's necessary to install the debian-non-free.iso instead of the 'debian-10.7.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso' you have used.

Go to the debian cdimage page.
Read the contents of the 'Non-free firmware' subtitle. This applies to your computer.

Press the link: /cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/ - this is for your AMD cpu.
On the page it takes you to press the link: 10.7.0+nonfree/ - this is for buster 10 stable full edition (not live).
On the next page press: amd64/.
Next page press: iso-dvd/ - it's the .iso file you want and you are already installing from a dvd.
On the last page select: firmware-10.7.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso

Install that .iso file and see how you go.
You may want to do a shasum check as stated on the debian links.
Once the debian install boots from the new .iso file - you may need to make further alterations. But that will be for a new thread.

heathcliff36,
tank you for pointing to the non-free version of the operating system. I downloaded and checksummed it, created a disk image on a USB stick with the GNOME Disk utility, attempted to install and reboot, but the result was equally unsuccessful.

Is there some kind of tool that could be used to find out exactly what causes the problem?

I've tried other live operating systems, like Tails, Septor, Kali Linux, Linuxmint20-cinnamon, and they boot fine. They all have a kernel 5+.
On the other hand the Debian 9 installed has a kernel 4.9, and the Debian 10 that I'm trying to install has a kernel 4.19, both on the same 5-year old computer!

Try booting the new Debian 10 installation in recovery mode from Advanced options, typically the second selection at the grub menu. Sometimes Debian in recovery mode boots quickly then appears to freeze, just hit the enter key and the prompt will appear asking for root password for maintenance or hit Ctrl+D to continue, hit Ctrl+D and there's a good chance it will boot to the login or desktop depending on weather you choose autologin or not.

If successful, might only need to tweak some settings, perhaps disabling autologin if this was enabled.

Originally Posted by PaulExordium heathcliff36, tank you for pointing to the non-free version of the operating system. I downloaded and checksummed it, created a disk image on a USB stick with the GNOME Disk utility, attempted to install and reboot, but the result was equally unsuccessful.

1. The debian .iso you have is for install to a hdd not a usb.
If you successfully install that version to usb - then the high number of writes to usb will wear away the usb.

I have done this myself and the usb died within a year. Even with 'noatime' added in /etc/fstab (this reduces the number of writes to usb by the OS).

2. To have debian 10 on usb - you will need the debian 10 hybrid .iso which also has persistence.
Here is the debian page.

Although it doesn't say - the live .iso should have persistence.
Ignore the confusing stuff about non-free. Once you have the .iso burnt to usb (yes you 'burn' it onto usb to make it bootable) - you can then start a new thread to configure the OS to amd non-free packages.

I recommend you start with the cinnamon version first as its easier to use.
Once you're up and running you can try out more desktop environments on new usbs.


3. Installing debian can be complicated. I installed the debian-installer onto usb.
I then used that to install a debian 10 .iso to harddisk.

Years ago I installed debian onto usb using the dd command.
Here is a link ostechnix showing how to use it to install debian to usb.

This is the debian link I used to install debian to usb in 2020.
Use this method first as it worked for me.

Essentially from a terminal it's:

# cp debian.iso /dev/sdX
# sync

'debian.iso' will be the full name of your .iso file.
'sdX' will be the name of your specific unmounted usb plugged to your pc.
Make sure you have the exact name of your usb (i.e. it will not be X it will be another letter in lowercase).

Brains,
thank you for your suggestions. After a lot searching, trials and errors, I was able to solve my problem and here is my suggested procedure:

1) Reboot in recovery mode, don't type Ctrl+D (it will hang) but type the root login password

2) Not striclty necessary, but it will make the terminal a little more user friendly:
     echo "GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=1920x1080x32" >> /etc/default/grub
     update-grub
     systemctl reboot

   Repeat step 1)

3) Get the installation log:
     journalctl -xb

4) Look for the following error:
     [drm:radeon_pci_probe [radeon]] *ERROR* radeon kernel modesetting for R600 or later requires firmware installed

5) On another USB stick put this file:
     firmware-amd-graphics_20190114-2_all.deb

6) Mount the USB stick, go to the file location and install the package:
     dpkg -i firmware-amd-graphics_20190114-2_all.deb

7) Verify and install:
     apt-cache search firmware-amd-graphics
       firmware-amd-graphics - Binary firmware for AMD/ATI graphics chips
     apt-get install firmware-amd-graphics

8) Reboot:
     systemctl reboot