Ubuntu server 20.04 installation failed: non system disk error

[briant789]

have found similar questions but wasn’t able to solve so far. I installed Ubuntu server 20.04 on an old HP laptop. After successfully installing it and I reboot, I get the error message: “non-system disk or disk error”.

I installed Ubuntu server from an USB. Tried it with a different USB, same result.

Tried boot-repair but again same result.
Https://paste.Ubuntu.com/p/F2MPB7pDqh

Laptop is a HP probook 6540b

Prior to trying to install I had Ubuntu desktop running. This worked fine. I used all default settings during set-up.

The laptop had no usb and no cd/dvd in the drive. If any info is missing please let me know.

Used Gparter on Ubuntu desktop to see partitions, is this the problem?

Partition File System Mount Size Flags
/dev/sda1 Grub2 core. 1.0MiB bios_grub
/dev/sda2. Ext4. 1.0GiB
/dev/sda3. Lvm2 pv Ubuntu-vg. 297GiB Unallocated unallocated. 1.3MiB

Appreciate your help!

[oldfred]

What brand/model system?
Post the link that Boot-Repair gives for its Summary Report.

[briant789]

Https://paste.Ubuntu.com/p/F2MPB7pDqh

Laptop is a HP probook 6540b

[oldfred]

Do you have UEFI/BIOS set to boot in BIOS/Legacy/CSM boot mode?
It looks like grub is correctly installed to MBR using bios_grub partition and /boot partition.

But I do not know LVM nor BTRFS.
But why /boot as BTRFS? Grub may need extra drivers for that, or insmod files.

[briant789]

Thanks. As this is my first Ubuntu installation I am not entirely sure how to proceed right now. I guess I need to install Ubuntu desktop first and then run some updates? How do I do that?

[oldfred]

While many suggest LVM for its flexibility and it is required if you want full drive encryption, it is like jumping into the deep end of the pool to learn to swim.
LVM often used on servers, but is more complex.
If you want LVM, you need to review many of the instructions that are available.

What do you want in the way of configuration.

Default desktop install is just / (root). But with UEFI it also then has an ESP - efi system partition.
Everything beyond that is optional, many suggest separate /home or data partition(s).
Do you need or want full drive encryption?

[briant789]

Thanks. Disk encryption not needed. I tried installing without LVM but get the same message after reboot (non system-disk error). Do I need to change something in BIOS or is the problem in the installation procedure itself? I am about to give up

[oldfred]

Could be either.
What brand/model system.
Some like Acer need "trust"
Some like HP are difficult, but several work arounds, depending on configuration.

If installing in UEFI mode, do you have UEFI set to boot in UEFI mode.
My motherboard only worked with UEFI only setting, not UEFI or CSM(BIOS) mode.

Lets see details, use ppa version with your live installer (2nd option) or any working install, not Boot-Repair ISO:
Please copy & paste the pastebin link to the Boot-info summary report ( do not post report), do not run the auto fix till reviewed.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

[briant789]

Link to boot-info report:
Https://paste.Ubuntu.com/p/Ghfyk9R7sX/

[oldfred]

You are booting in BIOS mode from gpt partitioned drive with bios_grub partition.
So configuration looks normal for a BIOS boot.

What brand/model system?
May need settings in UEFI/BIOS. Or boot parameter in grub.