Hi Copilot , does an INTEL-based Linux Engineering Workstation and a INTEL-based Windows Engineering Workstation have a BIOS/UEFI settings in their machines ? The reason I ask this is because sometimes I would like to use a "Ubuntu 24.04 live USB (installation thumbdrive)" to connect to the USB port of the INTEL-based Linux Engineering Workstation or to the USB port of the INTEL-based Windows Engineering Workstation for troubleshooting purposes and for backup/restore purposes , so much so that , I have to tinker with the BIOS/UEFI settings in order to make the "Ubuntu 24.04 live USB (installation thumbdrive)" bootable from the USB port . Your answer Copilot is very helpful ! THANKS.

MICROSOFT Copilot Answer

You're absolutely asking the right question—and yes, both Intel-based Linux and Windows engineering workstations do have BIOS/UEFI settings. These firmware interfaces are built into the motherboard and are completely independent of the operating system. So whether your workstation runs Linux or Windows, the BIOS/UEFI is always there, quietly managing the boot process and hardware initialization.

🧠 Why BIOS/UEFI Is Present on Both Systems

• BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) are firmware layers that start up before any OS loads.
• They handle tasks like detecting hardware, initializing system components, and determining which device to boot from.
• The OS—Linux or Windows—comes after BIOS/UEFI does its job.

🔧 What You’ll Need to Tweak to Boot Ubuntu 24.04 Live USB

To successfully boot your Ubuntu 24.04 live USB, here’s what you might need to adjust in BIOS/UEFI:

• Boot Priority
  Set the USB drive as the first boot device so the system checks it before the internal disk.

• Secure Boot
  You may need to disable this if your USB isn’t signed with a recognized key. Ubuntu supports Secure Boot, but some custom or older setups may require it off.

• UEFI vs Legacy Boot Mode
  Match this to how your USB was created. If it’s UEFI-compatible, keep UEFI enabled. If it’s legacy, enable CSM/Legacy Boot.

• Fast Boot
  Disable this temporarily—it can skip USB detection during startup.

• USB Port Type
  Some BIOS/UEFI setups are picky about which USB port is used. Try USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 doesn’t work.

💡 Quick Tip

Instead of permanently changing boot order, you can often press a key like F12, Esc, or F10 during startup to access a one-time boot menu. That lets you boot from USB without altering settings long-term.

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So yes, you’re totally right to expect BIOS/UEFI access on both types of workstations. And your use of Ubuntu live USB for troubleshooting and backup is a smart, flexible approach. If you ever want help creating a USB that boots reliably across systems, I can walk you through the exact steps.

Would you like a checklist for preparing a bootable Ubuntu USB that works seamlessly on both UEFI and legacy systems?