Guide Overview
The purpose of this guide is to teach you how to install Ubuntu on a current model Acer Aspire laptop.
I received a new laptop for Christmas this year. My old Acer Aspire, from Christmas of 2010, was still going strong, with Xubuntu 20.04. But, well, it was time for a newer cpu. The Athlon II x2 P340 2.2GHz was getting a little overworked when running a Win7 virtual machine, just so I could use my plotter with AutoCad 2k.
I now have an Acer Aspire 3 A317, with an Intel i5 cpu. I hope that it will last ten years, like the last one, but I am not counting on it. 
The change over went smoothly. There was a learning curve for this old horse. I had an interesting time installing Xubuntu. It took me a day and a half to do what turned out to be a 30 minute job.
All because the Xubuntu installation software told me I had to disable Intel RST.
I am getting too old. What's an Intel RST?
I searched the internet, and found several answers to that question, plus a couple of other problems.
So, what follows is an explanation on how I installed Xubuntu on an Acer Aspire 3 A317.
I post this, in hopes that it helps out someone coming after me. This will save a little head scratching.
This may also work for other models of Acer Aspire laptops, as well.
Tools Needed
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Current model Acer Aspire laptop.
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Ubuntu 20.04 installation media on USB.
Instructions
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How to install Ubuntu on an Acer Aspire 3 Laptop
If you are installing on a brand new laptop, out of the box, STOP!
DO NOT go through the Windoze set up. You MUST make some changes in the BIOS first.
NOTE: If Windoze was set up before you make the changes to the BIOS, then Windoze will not boot. You will need to install AHCI drivers.
You may have to run a Windoze repair, after the changes, in order to allow it to boot properly.
If you already have BIOS Ver. 1.17, and you do not intend to use dual boot, then you do not need to run Windoze. You can ignore most of this.
Step 1 Disable Intel RST and set system to use AHCI.
Power on the laptop for the first time, and enter the BIOS using the F2 key.
In order to make and save changes in the BIOS, you must set a Supervisor Password.
In the BIOS, go to "Security" - Set Supervior Password
You will need to enter the password to access the BIOS everytime, from here on.
Go to the BIOS "Main" to enable Supervisor privileges, by pressing "ctrl-s".
Select the "SATA Mode" and change from "Intel Optane" to AHCI.
Also, disable Fast Boot.
Step 2 Check and upgrade your BIOS version if requred.
It must be version 1.17 or later. If it is not, you must go through the Windoze setup to upgrade it.
If you already have version 1.17, skip this step and go to Step 3.
Save the BIOS changes and boot into Windoze set up.
DO NOT connect a network cable to the laptop.
During setup, you can disable Cortana (Optional). She turns me off, so I turned her off first.
At the Network screen, in the bottom left corner, tell setup that you have NO INTERNET.
Select minimal options for Windoze.
Provide a user name and password. The password can be optional, if you do not intend to use dual boot, as you will be erasing Windoze anyway.
You can now boot into Windoze and connect your network cable, or set up the wifi.
Go to Acer Support website, and obtain the latest version of your BIOS. Make sure you get the correct one for your model.
CAUTION: If it’s the wrong model, then you will probably brick your new laptop!
Download and install the update. It is an .exe program that runs in Windoze.
Allow the system to boot back to Windoze, to ensure that BIOS update completes properly.
Step 3 Only if you intend to use Dual Boot.
If you do not want to save Windoze, skip this step and go to Step 4. The Ubuntu install will then erase your entire drive.
You must resize the storage partition on the hard drive.
Do not use gparted. You must use the native Windoze disk manager.
If you have not done so, because your BIOS is up to date, then you must go through the Windoze setup, as described in Step 2.
Open "Computer Management" in Windoze, and select the "Disk Management Tool".
Select the storage partition, (it's the largest partition on the disk.)
Shrink the partition to provide enough space to install Xubuntu.
Step 4 Set your install media as a trusted boot device in the BIOS.
Insert your installation USB into the laptop.
Restart the laptop and enter the BIOS using F2.
Go to the "Security" tab, "Select an UEFI file as trusted for executing"
Navigate to USB0\EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi and add it as a trusted boot option.
Go to the "Boot" tab and select the USB as the primary boot option.
Save changes and exit the BIOS.
Step 5 Boot the laptop with the USB install media.
Install your favourite flavour of Ubuntu.
I prefer Xubuntu, with my own customized xfce desktop.
Post install, reboot the laptop, and go back into the BIOS.
Add HDD0\EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi as a trusted boot option in the "Security" tab, and set it as primary in the "Boot" tab.
You’re done. Enjoy!
Cheers!
Naught.
Acer Aspire 3 Laptop - Intel Core i5-1035G1/512GB SSD/8GB RAM A317-52-58ZK
Xubuntu 20.04
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