,

iut is not directly related, but its a strange world out there!

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobi … re_PCs.pdf

tend to download the full devuan iso instead of netinstsall.iso ; it is usually the faster method, provided you have good internet connection; but it should not change your outcome; where netiinst can fail, the full iso could succeed ().
also, automaticl installation for a newcomer should suffice; but to be honest, even after 10+ years of linux use,
have not really understood the mannual partition or how it is done properly;
things seem to change; once there was a big swap, then a small , now it is even done without swap;
then there is the other option lvm-manager etc;

but if you had windows first and want just linux, would go into bios and "safe-delete" the nvme first,
plus eventually delete the secureboot-keys, but it should not be necessary.
good luck + tidiings in your favour.

one safe bet with desktop computer is always to go into BUOS and press F5 or F8 for default setting;
afterwards you can attempt to install Linux in UEFI or Legacy Modo depending on your needs.
found that with Linux the most failsafe has been to install from burned DVD-iso's , but modern .iso not always find enough space on a 4.7-GB-DVD or even 8.5-GB-DVD;
Devaun is here a notable exception; but had bit more problem lately with installing Devuan 6 than before;

you just need make sure that your eventual Windows installation and Linux are installed the same method (UEFI or legacy BIOS), otherwise grub won't see them vis-a-vis.

if you have a newer computer, it will most certainly be with UEFI (even UEFI only);
sometimes Microsoft forces on certain Windows pre-installed OEM-PC Secure-Boot setting, which makes it ab it more difficult to install Linux, but eventually you will succeed.

somtimes use vpn to connect to other countries when the content is otherwise not available;

it is a bit of nuiscane in 2026, but glad to be able to access the content.

if you want, you could test proton-vpn which also function for devuan, but the install is bit buried in the many sections;

you need however to sign up with them for a free account first, if you want touse their services.

https://protonvpn.com/support/linux-vpn-setup

then you can login and download a server.config from the free ones available (several countries available) (speeds are good).

you can either choose a openvpn or wireguard file.

previoiusly used this section here

How to manually configure OpenVPN CLI
https://protonvpn.com/support/linux-openvpn

if this does not function for you, you should be able to connect via wireguard.
https://protonvpn.com/support/wireguard-linux

but be aware that atleast on KDE this wireguard thing tend to automatically connect to vpn thereafter, so you need to deselect the autoconnect in connection manager thereafter.

used to pay for the services sometime, but the free service is perfectly usable;

they are happy to help out, but clearly the service is more oriented towards (ubuntu)/(debian)(fedora) users etc.

as of 2026, it still function well with devuan.

good luck if you wannt tu try it out.

have an older android "smartbox" with an rk3328 (or rk3318?) ; have never attempted to install libreelec on it; but shelved some quick time ago, since it made me feel uneasy, with wifi+bluetooth on board; those are difficult to disable; and good luck finding a "cheap box " amlogic without wifi-bluetooth.

had bought as an upgrade the newly odroid c5, (40 dollar) at the time, but now prices went up (around 68 dollar). it is very capable little "box", but not so refined , yet. if you can find a good deal , it is worth considering. (has also support for av1 codec).(if you need importing it, can become bit expensive, but i think if you want a good non-smart-option, it could be a worthy companion).

using a odroid n2+ with core-elec  on a non-smart tv ≤≥ liking it very much, functional for youtube, netflix, prime etc
but sometimes things break Z the soundbar howeveis bit-smart with bluetooth that seem always active when powered on, which is a nuisance, but the sound is good and subwoofer wired. wished could make use of less of less wires, get rid of LED TV (strainging the eyes) but for the moment, thats the setup.

if you want to use alsa for sound and get rid of pulseaudio/pipewier

the forumuser igorzwx has posted the most elegant solution have seen so far (been ubunt/debian user since ubuntu 12.04) -
it is not perfect , but function very well and steadfast; please it can become more universally adaptable with fall-back-mechanisms when more devices are used (a bit like on kde with phonon) (maybe this is already achievable, but just did not figure it out).

since have had to setup the devuan 6 once again lastly, have wrote down the adapted instructions posted here in the so called "manual".

for installing alsa devuan 6 maybe like this

sudo apt-mark manual libpulse0 libpulse-mainloop-glib0 libpulsedsp 

sudo apt-mark hold pulseaudio* pipewire* 

sudo apt-get purge wireplumber pipewire-alsa pipewire-audio pipewire pulseaudio pulseaudio-utils pavucontrol pulseaudio-module-bluetooth pipewire pipewire-bin pipewire-pulse

then you can configure .asoundrc after reboot or so, or use the tool "arateconf" which don't know if it already available in the repositories.

it can be installed via these instructions.
https://dev1galaxy.org/viewtopic.php?pid=57771

(just use under point "Install gcc-10 and g++-10 from Devuan's oldstable repositories." oldoldstable instead of oldstable

then you can use "arateconf" to create the .asoundrc and alsa will can function beautifully for you; as said, not perfect, but viable , and gentler to the ears.

is this browser also suitale for audio-init freedom (suitable for the hard of hearing?>)

https://freedombrowser.eth.limo/

did you use "forky" from winehq?

https://gitlab.winehq.org/wine/wine/-/w … ian-Ubuntu

it says "Enable the 32-bit repository" -- but donùt know if it installs actually wine 32-bit or 64-bit.

it used to function, you just have to see which repository is ok for you, eg. stable, develop, staging.

if forky not function, you could try with trixie sources.

EDIT: sorryz , it seemt to be answered on einehq already

have probaly a similar workstation z210'?
however it has updated to bios 2017/18

had some issue with devuan 6 myself also installing it, and that could however be due to own poor aptitude or poor execution,
but for the moment with devuan 5.0 it seem functionine

not sure if it helped the task of updating bios since it also had a lower bios from maybe around 2012-
but i thought since running newer linux it could help with the task therefore i updated it.

sorry, if i am not reading the wole,

but if you need a good b&w,

zou could look for a "geljet" theiy are sometimes on offer on ebay (sadly hardly to be found otherwise ooutside japan), or like a m3170/3180, but they a re a bit "bulky" and have WiFi, although if you connect via ethernet, it is supposedly disabled.
+side is the low maintenance costs, ecofriendly printing at reasonable quality, and very low cost per page.

thanks, rolfie,
that seems a sound advice;
there have been issue with some ssd before, will do some more testing;
and yes, system is updated (nor more updates proposed atm)
thank you all.

EDIT:
have been thinkging that have installed Linux wrongly since on startup there is always message:
(failed to locate :EFI : not found) or similar
but the Linux functioned "normally" nvtl until today.

and the SSD is like brandnew, so it should not be the issue.

the system is dualbooting with windows 7, maybe i have setup wrongly (the Linux is UEFI, and windows 7 could be installed in legacy, not sure).
This HP is the first workstation of them that had shipped with UEFI supposedly.