Boot Ubuntu USB on Lenovo XiaoXin

Boot Ubuntu USB on Lenovo XiaoXin | Generated by AI

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Question: How to boot from an Ubuntu live USB on a Lenovo XiaoXin 14 IAH8 laptop? The user has created a bootable USB using dd with ubuntu-24.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso.

Answer:

Your dd command created a standard bootable Ubuntu 24.04.3 live USB (UEFI-compatible by default). Here’s how to boot from it on your Lenovo XiaoXin 14 IAH8 (a domestic Chinese IdeaPad-like model).

Step-by-step to boot the Ubuntu live USB

Insert the USB drive
Plug the USB into a USB port (preferably a USB 3.0/3.1 port for faster loading).
Power off the laptop completely
Shut down Ubuntu fully (not restart, because fast boot / hybrid shutdown can interfere).
Hold the power button if needed to force shutdown.
Power on and enter the boot menu
- Press the power button.
- Immediately and repeatedly tap Fn + F12 (or just F12 if your keyboard doesn’t require Fn for function keys) as soon as the Lenovo logo appears.
  - Keep tapping until the Boot Menu (Startup Menu) appears.
- In the boot menu, look for entries like:
  - UEFI: [USB brand name, e.g. SanDisk, Kingston, USB Flash]
  - or just the USB name
- Use arrow keys to highlight the UEFI USB entry (avoid Legacy/CSM if shown) → press Enter.
If Fn + F12 doesn’t work after several tries:
- Try just F12 alone.
- Some XiaoXin models use a small Novo button (a pinhole near the power button or on the side) — press it with a paperclip while powered off → select Boot Menu from the Novo menu → insert USB if not already in.
If the boot menu doesn’t appear or USB is missing → Enter full BIOS Setup first
- Power on → immediately and repeatedly tap Fn + F2 (or F2) at the Lenovo logo.
- In BIOS:
  - Go to Security tab → Secure Boot → set to Disabled (important for most live USBs).
  - Go to Boot / Startup tab:
    - Ensure Boot Mode is UEFI (or UEFI Only; do NOT set to Legacy unless UEFI fails).
    - If there’s UEFI/Legacy Boot → set to Both or UEFI First.
    - In Boot Priority or Boot Order, move USB HDD or UEFI: USB to the top (use +/− or F5/F6 keys).
  - Press F10 → Yes to save and exit.
- The laptop will restart → now repeat step 3 (Fn + F12) to select the USB quickly.
Once booted into Ubuntu
- You should see the GRUB menu (Ubuntu options).
- Choose Try Ubuntu (live session) — this runs Ubuntu from USB without touching your disk.
- Or choose Install Ubuntu if you want to reinstall/repair.

Common fixes if it still won’t boot

USB not listed → Recreate the USB with a different tool (Ventoy, balenaEtcher, or Startup Disk Creator in another Ubuntu) — dd sometimes has edge-case issues with certain BIOS.
Black screen / stuck → In boot menu, try the non-UEFI USB entry if available (rare).
Secure Boot error → Must disable in BIOS (step 4).
Fast boot interference → Always fully shut down (not restart) before trying.
Wrong port → Try a different USB port (some Lenovo models are picky with USB-C vs USB-A).

This should get you into the live environment so you can repair your broken system (chown issue from earlier).

References:

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