Out of memory when trying to boot live USB

Ask Fedora
1

I’m trying to move from Windows to Linux, and I’ve gotten the same error when trying to boot into the live USB for several distributions, including Fedora.

After selecting the live boot environment I get an “out of memory” error. I think it’s related to Grub. I’ve tried creating the USB with Rufus, Ventoy, BelenaEtcher, and the Fedora media creator app, and I get the error every time. With Rufus I’ve tried making the media with both ISO and DD methods, and get the same result.

So far it’s failed for Fedora, Nobara, and Arch, but I’ve been able to boot Ubuntu and Mint. Is anyone familiar with this error? There’s nothing really to configure when making the live USB, so I’m thinking there might be a compatibility issue with my bios, or some other bios setting.

2

I do not think how you write the USB image matters for this error message.
How much RAM memory does your system have?

3

I’ve got 64 GB.

4

We need to know make and model of your system. You may find it useful to look for “probes” of your model in the LHDB. Some probes have user comments when extra steps are needed to install linux.

5

Please check as @gnwiii suggests.

Can you post a screen shot showing the error message please?

6

This is the error message I receive:

error: …/…grub-core/kern/mm.c:552:out of memory

7

Thanks, I checked out the website but it looks like you need to run the probe in Linux and I’m currently on Windows. My PC specs are below:

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KS
Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
Memory: 64 GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

I also switched Secure Boot from Windows UEFI to “Other OS” and disabled Intel RST.

8

You can search the LHDB for probes made by users who have linux working.

9

Found it: HW probe of ASUSTek ROG Maximus Z790 DAR... Desktop Computer #9e17bbbc49

10

Does your BIOS have a Video memory setting? You may need to reduce it. Is your BIOS version the same as the system in the LHDB probe?

11

If you web search for this you will see its a common error.

A quick look seems to suggest that you need to make sure your BIOS is in UEFI mode not using the “CSM”. Do the search and read a few bug reports to see if it matches your situation.

1 Like
12

That was it. I was finally able to boot Fedora after enabling CSM, and I tried some other distros as well. Thanks everyone!