On Wed, Oct 4, 2023 at 7:38 PM Joe Zeff <joe@zeff.us> wrote:
On 10/04/2023 03:19 PM, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
> Unless I missed it, I don't think you've mentioned the laptop brand and
> model, which might give a clue to someone reading this.
>

Gateway, model GWTN156-78K

> Also, and sorry to be obvious, but have you checked the laptop
> manufacturer's website for BIOS documentation (often under Support)?
> That should tell you what the magic key combo is to get to the BIOS
> menu, which in turn will let you configure what boot device to use.

As reported earlier, I asked at the OEM's website over the weekend and
haven't received an answer.  If I don't have a flash drive inserted at
boot, F12 gets me to BIOS.  If I do, it goes right to the grub prompt
whatever I do.  The hard drive is blank, so the only possible boot
device is that flash drive.

You can get some information using the grub prompt.  First thing to try
is ls:

<https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub/html_node/ls.html#ls>
 
 --
George N. White III