Preparing to Boot from USB

Now that you’ve created your bootable Ubuntu drive, the next step is to configure your computer to start from this installation media. This process requires accessing your system’s firmware settings, commonly called BIOS on older machines or UEFI on modern systems. Don’t worry if these terms sound technical, we’ll walk through each step carefully. Before beginning, make sure your USB drive is inserted into a working port and that you’ve saved any open files, as we’ll need to restart your computer.

Accessing Your System’s Boot Menu

Every computer manufacturer uses slightly different methods to access the boot menu. As your computer starts up (immediately after pressing the power button), you’ll need to press a specific key - typically F2, F12, ESC, or DEL - to interrupt the normal startup process. The exact key varies by brand: Dell and Lenovo often use F12, HP commonly uses F9, while ASUS and Acer typically use ESC or F2. If you’re unsure, a quick internet search for “[your computer brand] boot menu key” will provide the answer. You may need to try a few times to get the timing right because this window is only available for a few seconds during startup

Configuring Boot Order

Once in the BIOS/UEFI interface, navigate to the “Boot” tab using your arrow keys. Here you’ll see a list of all available boot devices such as your hard drive, USB ports, and possibly network or optical drives. Select your USB drive, which may appear with the Ubuntu version name or simply as “USB Storage Device”, and move it to the top of the boot order list. This tells your computer to look for the Ubuntu installer before checking other devices. Some newer computers have a simpler “Boot Menu” option that lets you temporarily select the USB drive without changing permanent settings. This is often the easiest approach for a one-time installation.

Saving Changes and Starting Installation

After selecting your USB drive as the primary boot device, save your changes (usually with F10) and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart, and if everything was configured correctly, you’ll see the Ubuntu startup screen with options to “Try Ubuntu” or “Install Ubuntu.” If your screen goes black or returns to your normal operating system, don’t panic. This usually means the USB wasn’t recognized. Simply restart and try again to make sure you’ve selected the correct boot device and that your USB was properly created in the previous lesson.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Some computers, particularly those running Windows 10 or 11, may have additional security features that need adjustment. If you encounter errors mentioning Secure Boot or Legacy Mode, you may need to temporarily disable Secure Boot in your UEFI settings. Similarly, if your USB isn’t appearing in the boot menu at all, try recreating the bootable drive using a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0 if available) or verify the ISO file wasn’t corrupted by checking its checksum again. Remember that every computer is slightly different. A big part of learning Ubuntu setup is becoming comfortable navigating these small variations in hardware.

By successfully booting from your USB drive, you’ve completed one of the most technically challenging parts of the installation process. In the next lesson, we’ll walk through the actual Ubuntu installation where you’ll make choices about disk partitioning, user accounts, and system configuration. Take a moment to appreciate your progress. You’re now ready to bring Ubuntu to life on your device!

Review Questions

What step is after creating the bootable Ubuntu drive?
How are BIOS and UEFI similar? How are they different?
What is the boot menu?
Which key does your specific system require you to press to access the boot menu?
How can you view all available boot devices?
How can you make the system look for Ubuntu installer, the ISO file, before checking other devices?
What is Secure Boot and Legacy Mode? How may they effect booting from the USB?
Since technology is regularly evolving, how can information on new tech, troubleshooting methods, etc. be found?