Can I install Linux on my Dell Inspiron 3891 ?

20.04.4   LTS is certified for this model.

HOWEVER dell will not support this model with linux unless it came with linux from DELL.

Support for linux is available from Canonical and Dell HOWEVER its not free.

https://ubuntu.com/support

https://ubuntu.com/support/contact-us

https://ubuntu.com/certified/202102-28724

ubuntu-20.04.4-desktop-amd64.iso

Dell supports Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on this PC model and offers drivers for it, which you can select on the Operating System drop-down list at that link.

Be a good idea to image the boot drive before you try to install a new OS, just in case.  That way, if something goes wrong you can quickly revert to Windows. Macrium Reflect (free) is a good tool for this, but you can use any imaging app you want...

And you might want to update to the latest version of BIOS before attempting to install a new OS, too.

Thank you for your reply.

That is interesting that Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS,

is certified for the Dell Inspiron 3891.

The problem for me, is in the Bios,

the Bios states that Legacy Boot mode is not supported on this platform.

And, this is the Bios Boot Sequence:

Windows Boot Manager

UEFI HTTPs Boot

UEFI Hard Drive

ONBOARD NIC (IPV4)

ONBOARD NIC (IPV6)

With a Boot List like that,

I don't see how this computer,

is going to allow me to install Linux.

Thank you for reading.

.

Thank you for your reply.

Please read my reply to my first reply from 'speedstep'.

.

Hi

Why would YOU choose LEGACY booting?

Putting something decent on, like Linux Mint, means you have to ensure BitLocker is OFF.

Then just install, Ubuntu if you like that sort of thing, and voila.

You can have Legacy, but WHY?

Ubuntu secure boots, I dont have ubuntu actually, I have Linux MINT.

So try.

@ukmjenkins  You don't want to change any of those boot options in BIOS.

USB Boot Support is enabled in BIOS by default. With PC fully powered off, plug in a bootable USB with the installer for whatever OS you want to install.

Then power on and start tapping F12 when you see the Dell splash screen. When the F12 menu opens, look for the option to boot from USB...

Don't know if you'll need to disable Secure Boot and/or PTT in BIOS first, but that may depends on which OS you're going to install.

Thank you for your reply 'ann_droid'.

As far as I understand it,

Legacy Boot Mode is what Dell call the conventional means,

by which the user is enabled to install their choice of operating system,

by allowing the user to select from a boot list consisting of,

optical disk, usb, hdd.

The Bios in this Dell Inspiron 3891,

seems to have done away with that,

giving this list for boot options:

Windows Boot Manager,

UEFI HTTPs Boot,

UEFI Hard Drive,

ONBOARD NIC (IPV4),

ONBOARD NIC (IPV6).

There is no option in the BIOS to boot from USB.

This is what I mean,

I would like to install Linux Mint too,

but I am really stuck.

.

Thank you for your reply 'RoHe'.

Yes, I won't change the boot list in the Bios.

There is no option to boot from USB in the F12 Bios page.

This is what I mean, it appears that with The Dell Inspiron 3891,

Dell seem to have done away with conventional booting,

which would allow a user to install their choice of operating system.

I am really stuck.

Please read my reply to 'ann_droid'.

.

@ukmjenkins  - Intel did away with all Legacy boot options, starting with their 10th Gen CPUs. So not surprising if BIOS on your PC doesn't offer that option because you have either 10th or 11th Gen CPU.

The F12 menu is not part of BIOS. And you won't see an option to boot from USB on the F12 menu unless a bootable USB is plugged into the PC with power completely off.

You can make and test a bootable USB stick using Rufus (free) and partition it as MBR.  Then plug in bootable USB with power off. Power on, open the F12 menu and see if that USB is listed in the UEFI boot options list on the menu.

@ukmjenkins 

Legacy booting MBR and Grub is GONE for all pc's past 6th gen skylake.

UEFI Only after 2020   Brian_Richardson

UBUNTU 20.04 supports UEFI GPT booting.   HOWEVER I would advise you shrink the OS partition and install ubuntu ALONGSIDE windows so that you can dual boot.   You could also UEFI boot Ubuntu Live from a USB 2.0 32 gig FAT32 flash drive.  F2 bios setup turn Secure Boot OFF and F12 boot from Ubuntu 20.04 usb 2.0 flash drive LIVE.  F12 boot menu will not be available with SECURE BOOT ON.

Legacy booting and 32 bit OS are gone from ALL computers because INTEL and Microsoft etc have decided to kill off ALL old os.  Its windows 10 only and 64 bit only from now on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKKdiqVHNqw

Thank you for your reply 'speedstep'.

Thank you for your reply 'RoHe'.

Hi

Rufus

AnyBurn as ADMIN. 

Disable BitLocker as necessary, because that can prevent an install od another OS.

C:\>manage-bde /?

manage-bde.exe -parameter [arguments]

Examples: manage-bde -status Provides information about BitLocker-capable volumes.

manage-bde-on Encrypts the volume and turns BitLocker protection on.

manage-bde -off Decrypts the volume and turns BitLocker protection off.

manage-bde -lock Prevents access to BitLocker-encrypted data.

manage-bde -unlock Allows access to BitLocker-encrypted data.

manage-bde -fr Forces Recovery of BitLocker OS to recover on restarts.

So having negated BL (my key is/was stored in MY Microsoft Account, just in case).

01234567-89101112-13141516-17181920-21222324-25262728

I inserted a USB stick with LinuxMint on, re-jigged the BOOT sequence in the BIOS to prioritise USB booting, and…..  (not apparently necessary in your case)

Now that the HDD/SSD is accessible it’s time to commit to an install of LinuxMint? NO! NO! NO!

Make recovery media, because any changes to the HDD/SSD may mean the FACTORY recovery option may fail completely, so we need 2 USB sticks, LinuxMint and W10INSTALL.

You download the .ISO files and expand, using AnyBurn (as ADMIN) or Rufus , onto an appropriate sized USB stick, adding in vital Dell/Hp/Lenovo Drivers to the W10 Recovery/Repair/Re-Install.

Something like this for the W10 stick (also with HP Drivers just in case), Wi-Fi is the bare minimum.

D:\>DIR D:\ /w Volume in drive D is W10INSTALL

setup.exe

bootmgr.efi

bootmgr autorun.inf

[support]

[sources]

[efi]

[boot]

[Delldrvr]

[HP_drvrs]

[LENdrvrs] 

Next is to research HOW2 install a Linux, preferably after using a LIVE version that does not install itself onto the HDD/SSD until you choose, but runs in RAM, allowing time to orient and adjust to a new OS. Also it will highlight any deficiences in specific software/firmware/drivers that do not transfer.

If in doubt please ask.