UEFI may block this. I've had too many methods to get an UEFI compatible distro and too many UEFI settings to tinker with. But it's true. UEFI feels like locked boots (read https://www.google.com/#q=uefi+locked+boot )
-> http://www.robolinux.org/l-faq/20.html
HP Notebook 2000 Model 2c29WM
Running Windows 8.0
Very nice HP Windows 8 computer given to me by a good friend, who passed away without giving me her password. I wish now to use Linux Mint OS on this computer via live USB stick, which I've used many times on my Acer Windows 7 computer. Very frustratingly, I've been unable to get the HP to boot using the live stick. If I could get the HP to boot using the live stick, I would also be able to reset the password, access her Windows 8 system, and extract her data for the benefit of her family. Following is the protocol I've attempted to use (unsuccessfully) to boot the HP using the live stick -- please advise me what I'm missing:
Turn power on > Esc key (first screen of Startup) > Startup Menu, F10 key (BIOS Setup) > InsydeH20 Setup Utility, System Configuration tab, choose Boot Options > Boot Options, enable Legacy Support, in Legacy Boot Order, set "USB Diskette Key/USB Hard Disk" to first position > F10 key (Save and Exit) > shut down computer > plug in bootable USB stick > turn power back on.
Very first booting screen display (black screen, text at bottom: Press Esc key to enter Setup) just sits there, stuttering, with no further progress in the boot, and computer is now completely unresponsive.
NOTE: In Setup Menu, Boot Options, Boot Option Menu, "OS boot Manager" is set as boot option (versus "Boot from EFI File" or "Notebook Hard Drive").
Many thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

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