Optiplex 3020 SFF won't boot Linux

Question

Hello,  I recently replaced the processor inside my Optiplex 3020 SFF, from a Pentium G3250 to a Core i5 3690S. The processor installation went fine, but when I started the computer, my Linux (Debian) install would not boot. I have been troubleshooting for about a day now, and here is what I have tried:   Run hardware diagnostics - The entire system, including the hard drive, passes all tests in BIOS hardware diagnostics. Change boot settings in BIOS - no luck. Even when setting the computer to Legacy boot mode, or manually selecting the grub loader .efi file, the system cannot boot from the hard drive. Clean install of Debian. No luck - still receiving a 'No bootable devices found' or a 'Selected boot device failed' error message. Install Debian on a different drive - this worked successfully. Debian would install AND boot from an external USB hard drive, but obviously this is not a long-term solution, although it does prove the new processor works and the rest of the system is still functioning. Furthermore, I was able to mount the internal HDD using the Debian install on the external drive. The internal HDD seems completely intact, it just seems the BIOS refuses to boot it. Install windows on the system hard drive - Also successful. Windows properly installed and booted on the internal HDD, but obviously I do not want to use Windows. Install a different Linux distro - No luck. Attempted to install Arch Linux instead of Debian and got the same errors. At this point, I'm stumped. The processor I installed is compatible with the same socket and chipset (LGA-1150, chipset H81). My current line of thinking is that it could have *something* to do with Intel processor microcode, but I'm not quite sure how to tackle that problem. Thank you in advance for any assistance!

officialnsa · Accepted Answer

My apologies, this was a lapse in my own capability.

Intel chips require non-free firmware in the form of microcode that Debian does not include on its default .iso bootable installer. See this link. I have resolved my own issue, but I am going to leave this post up for anyone who faces the same issue in the future.

Optiplex Desktops

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