Is the Gatekeeping in the room with us right now?

Whether you like trouble shooting or not, if you use Linux, you need to get used to it and good at it.

The best tip I received when starting on Linux was “Break shit”, and I believe it is still the best advice out there.

Keep an install ready, and go to town on your distro of choice. Test commands, turn things on and off, delete things, move things, and literally break shit. Then see if you can put it back together again. If not, install a fresh one and try again.

Repeat until you get it. haha

I had the exact same problem with a Lenovo laptop when trying to get Mint on to it for my partner. Unfortunately I do not remember how the hell I managed it because I had the same issue as non of the keys would get me where I needed to go. I know I held the key before turning on the computer though, and I am pretty sure it was the esc key.

Sorry I couldn’t be more help. But lenovo laptops can eat all the dicks. haha