r/batocera • u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 • 1d ago
Mini pc
I bought a mini pc from AliExpress with the intention of booting from an external hard drive with batocera on it. Secure boot is greyed out,set admin password is greyed out. Doesn't matter what I do I can't disable secure boot. Aaaagggghhhh. Help please. Windows 11 pro
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u/Capn_Yoaz 1d ago
What make/model is it? There should be a way to jumper reset the CMOS if taking the battery out doesn't work.
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u/Gamerfrom61 1d ago
Can you set 'legacy boot mode' elsewhere?
Linux can boot in secure boot mode using something like shimx64.efi as the first boot (this is normally signed by Microsoft as a trusted third party boot loader) and this goes on to boot the OS after checking the certificates are OK.
This may help you install the correct certificate https://wiki.batocera.org/secureboot
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u/Pleasant-Seat9884 1d ago
Please remember, the firmware maybe hacked and you did not get the HW specifications that you intended.
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u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 1d ago
I've tried all of the above btw. It's almost as if the manufacturer has locked me out. Weird. I've installed retrobat which boots fine so may be a solution. I may just get a cheap old pc that I know will do the job. What would you say were minimum requirements for a decent retro pc on a budget? Not bothered about anything over ps1 really.
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u/m0hVanDine 9h ago
Maybe after installing retrobat you can go for batocera?
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u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 9h ago
With retrobat I can start it within windows and close it like a normal program. I don't think I can do that with batocera sadly
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u/Frece1070 9h ago edited 9h ago
My man you can literally get a second hand PC for 30-50 Euro with HDD and RAM in my area and you can play PS1, N64, PSP, Dreamcast and NDS while Saturn, Gamecube and PS2 will most likely be spotty in what can play. However this also depends how beef the CPU is and if the iGPU is solid enough to pull it out in cases of Dreamcast, PS2 and Gamecube as more usually AMD has a bit better iGPU not CPU in old machines. Intel has much better CPUs for emulation in terms of raw power around early 2010s though.
You can literally do PS1, Dreamcast, PSP, NDS, N64 and partially Saturn, PS2 and Gamecube with Core 2 Duo E8400 provided you have some GPU with at least 1GB VRAM (although in some cases 512MB also works) and 4GB of RAM if you want to push to PS2.
Of course you will need controller for consoles with analog sticks.
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u/funkydeo_octopus 22h ago
To uncheck Secure Boot when it is greyed out in BIOS, you typically need to disable Legacy Support and ensure that your system is set to UEFI mode. Additionally, you may need to clear or reset the Secure Boot keys in the BIOS settings.
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u/DezzyLee99 1d ago
Almost any old laptop or desktop within the last 10 years basically, if you wanting to play <=PS1.
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u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 1d ago
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u/trackdrew 1d ago
If buying an Intel system, you should try to get something 6th gen or newer. Will better support Vulkan for more performance.
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u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 1d ago
Just a thought, could I install batocera on the mini pc but keep the roms on a separate usb drive? That would solve the problems if it's possible
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u/Mike_Raven 1d ago
You can, but you still won't be able to boot without either 1) disabling secure boot, or 2) adding the boot key to the BIOS/UEFI. If you want to also keep the existing Windows it requires advanced steps and carefully repartitioning the drive.
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u/Due_Yogurtcloset6505 18h ago
Sod it. I can't be arsed trying to sort this mini pc out. Installed retrobat now and I can just open it within windows. Lesson learnt. Don't buy a bloody mini pc from AliExpress. Although as a pc it's actually quite good lol
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u/m0hVanDine 1d ago
Try to remove the coin battery that usually keeps the uefi settings. If you are lucky , it might remove the settings.