Re: HP Z2 G9 installation

On Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:35:33 -0400
Popping Mad <rainbow@colition.gov> wrote:

I brought an HP Z2 G9 from the HP store with Windows preinstalled on
it... it was much cheaper than a customized linux ready version.
 
The UEFI does not has a classic version and the boot rom has been set
to turn off secure boot and to boot from the USB.  It can see the USB
device but it will not boot into the installation boot loader.  It
just stares back at me with a blank screen.
 
I am looking for suggestions.  The thing comes with something called
the Wolf Security system that shows up on the boot screen when it
powers up. I have turned off everything the UEFI boot rom that I see
that might be causing a problem.

Modern HPs are irredeemable garbage; the firmware lockout shenanigans
are just the beginning. Wait'll the PSU dies and you realize they made
it a proprietary standard just so's you have to buy an OEM replacement!

It's *probably* possible to work around the boot issue, but it's not
worth the bother (even getting using one of these things to boot a
Windows install on another disk took hours, when our receptionist's PC
died a couple years back.) Save yourself the headache - take it back to
the store and get literally *anything* else.