0

Thinking of buying a computer that comes with windows 8, but want to install Linux on it (Mint or Debian). I was wondering a few things:

  1. Do most computers with windows 8 come with UEFI now - eg, Samsung laptops?

  2. I heard that Microsoft may lock the UEFI so that other operating systems can't install. Is this the case?

I'm looking to do a clean install - so only have one operating system on the hard drive.

hiro
  • 11
  • 1
  • Where exactly did you hear that? I'm pretty sure the only Windows 8 machines that are locked to prevent other OS installs are the Surface RT's. – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Sep 23 '13 at 17:11
  • Related: [Dual/triple booting Surface Pro?](http://superuser.com/questions/565436/dual-triple-booting-surface-pro) – Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Sep 23 '13 at 17:14
  • 1
    100% of OEM computers today depending on your region come with UEFI. Microsoft does not have control over UEFI. Their only requirement for a Windows 8 logo is that `Secure Boot` is enabled which is a feature of UEFI. There is nothing about UEFI that prevents you from installing Linux or any other operating system on your device. The situation surrounding Windows RT devices, since you specifically mention a x86 operating system my comment is restricted to x86 UEFI devices. – Ramhound Sep 23 '13 at 17:38

2 Answers2

0

You should be able to do so... simply set the BIOS to boot from the optical drive and stick the Linux CD in. If that doesn't work, format your hard drive before installing Linux.

  • 1
    I don't believe this adequately covers what the OP was asking about, which is a UEFI-locked bootloader, such as the Windows Surface RT tablets. – Darth Android Sep 23 '13 at 17:21
  • @DarthAndroid - The question isn't about a Windows RT device. The question mentions Windows 8. While Windows RT shared the same kernel as Windows 8 its an entirely different operating system and an entirely different hardware architecture. Windows RT devices are as locked down as any other ARM device the limitations of the inability to load another operating ssytem isn't anything new even on Chrome OS devices for instance. – Ramhound Sep 23 '13 at 17:36
  • @Ramhound *I* was pretty sure about that, but *that* is exactly what an answer here needed. The question is about a UEFI bootloader that prevents other OSes being installed. I only know of Windows RT tablets that have that. The OP wanted to know if his system had that. – Darth Android Sep 23 '13 at 18:28
  • @DarthAndroid - He didn't even tell us WHAT device he plans on buying. This question has nothing to do with ARM devices. **ALL** x86 Windows 8 devices have their bootloader unlocked its a requirement to get a Windows 8 logo on your device. The things he is wondering about are complete rumors, false rumors, started by people who don't understand the OEM market and spread by really bad tech bloggers. Furthermore the locked down nature of the UEFI isn't anything new for OS X with its TPM module and all that jazz. – Ramhound Sep 23 '13 at 18:47
  • @Ramhound Cool. Again, *he didn't know that, which is why he was asking this question.* That's why I downvoted this answer, because it didn't answer the question that was asked. – Darth Android Sep 23 '13 at 19:05
  • This answers the question "can you install any x86 operating system in a windows 8 OEM device" which is the authors question only you brought up Windows RT – Ramhound Sep 23 '13 at 19:18
  • thankyou very much. I wasn't sure what device I was looking for (laptop or desktop). So, I gather that modern devices for sale do not have secure boon enabled unless they have a windows 8 logo/sticker on them, in which case they do. However, the secure boot is disable-able, so I can install linux. UNLESS, the cpu on the device is made by ARM (and not intel/amd), in which case it is completely locked and not able to run any other OS. I'm not sure if this is also the case with chromebooks (with intel and with arm). – hiro Sep 23 '13 at 19:34
  • I never heard of ARM cpus for Windows (now I do) and i thought the op was using a regular x86 pc (which can run linux no problem). My bad for causing all this debate. –  Sep 23 '13 at 19:50
  • it's cool. it helpd clear things up, thnks – hiro Sep 23 '13 at 20:03
0

I am working my way through this problem though I want to keep Windows 8 as it occasionally comes in useful.

So far I have installed Linux, but can´t get grub working.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, everything you asked to do seems possible

https://askubuntu.com/questions/221835/installing-ubuntu-on-a-pre-installed-windows-8-64-bit-system-uefi-supported

Community
  • 1
wobbily_col
  • 111
  • 4