Installing with no boot option

[nilsA]

What are my options for installing Kubuntu on a PC where the BIOS seems not to have an option for booting other than the internal HD? (ASUS "brick" type).,

[Schwarzer Kater]

You can just install it like you would do on an UEFI system - the only exception is that you don't have to create an EFI partiion for /boot/efi or /boot but install grub (the bootloader) directly to /dev/sda (presuming that it is your only drive).

Depending on the BIOS you might have to create the bootable USB stick with Rufus on Windows, choosing the legacy BIOS mode "with additional compatibility partition" (correspondingly…). Otherwise your USB stick might not boot on certain older systems - just give it a try, if it doesn't boot with an USB stick created from Linux use the "Rufus/Windows" way.

If you want to dual boot with Windows be sure to install Windows first, then Kubuntu. And put them on seperate partitions, of course.

[claydoh]

More specific device and bios/firmware info?
Do you mean it is the old 'legacy BIOS and MBR boot style, as opposed to the current UEFI firmware 'bios'?

When it comes to old hardware, the ISO images seem to be troublesome on some legacy BIOS hardware, and the software used to create the USB installer can also have an effect, so trying different tools can sometimes be useful. Ventoy is becoming my new fave tool. Once installed, you literally drop multiple isos on the USB, and bang you are done. That includes Windows (don't ask )

[kc1di]

What are my options for installing Kubuntu on a PC where the BIOS seems not to have an option for booting other than the internal HD? (ASUS "brick" type).,

We really need to know a bit more about your machine. Which ASUS model is it? What are the bios options? Etc. Gives us a little more to go on please.

[nilsA]

With apologies to all of you for answering - something called "life" did kick in, delaying these things for me.

Then I had to make ready a PC for sale and wanted to put a used SD disk, thinking it was cleared. Not so. As it were, it booted right into Kubuntu 20.4, with no hassle on a different PC.
Well, then, I tried WIN10, and after a couple of "I need to do something here"-like stuff, it ran pretty ok too.

So I learnt that both Kubuntu and Windows have advanced to a self-repair state that makes me think that as I am to clone the Windows partition from an old, slow HD to an SD disk, then I might just do the cloning by taking the HD out, putting it temporarily into my "let's try it"-PC, do the cloning using good old Clonezilla, then install Kubuntu, and return the newly SD to the ASUS.

Not very elegant, I know, but it seems like the easiest way as I am opening the ASUS.