Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Update: I did it! Old: Help! Installing Linux with no external media. (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Edit: holy shit, I did it! The install media is booting off a little SSD partition! It was ultimately quite simple. Will update with instructions once done, for posterity.

This is a weird one. My partner was gifted a Surface Go model 1824 (gen 1) by their best friend, who unexpectedly died a couple of weeks back. It's nearing the Windows 10 end of support date, so my plan was to install Mint, but there's a hitch: the only goddamned USB port on the system is shot. It's the USB controller, which I've given up on trying to fix as it looks like a hardware issue.

I still want to install Linux because this thing now has super sentimental value. I've freed up 16 gb on the SSD, so I have some space to work with. There's a micro SD slot that still functions, but the stupid system doesn't support booting from it (although a Reddit post suggested you can still do so if you set it up in Grub, which I don't know how to do properly at all). The only thing I can think of is installing something on a partition or partitions that acts as install media, but I have no idea how to do that.

Ive tried using Grub2Win's ISOboot function with the Mint install ISO and I can get it to start, but it stalls out waiting ad nauseum for DHCP. I think it thinks it's a PXE install. Maybe my parameters are set wrong? Actual PXE is a no-go because no network adapter. I tried intently staring at the Mint ISO, then staring at the tablet; no data was transferred, but I did develop a headache.

I'm so, so stumped. Any ideas, anyone?

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[–] sentient_loom@sh.itjust.works 28 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Is the HDD removable? I've swapped hard drives between thinkpads before and linux didn't seem to care that it's suddenly on a different machine. So maybe you can install something on the HDD on a different machine (that has a usb) and then swap the HDD back into the Surface. Maybe there will still be things to smooth out later, but it's something to try.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 day ago

Unfortunately no, it's an SSD (post updated) and it's soldered in place. Plus this thing is the least accessible non-phone/tablet device I've ever seen. I'd need to use a heat gun and a few prying tools to take it apart. That's why the USB controller remains unfixed, I'm more likely to cause more damage to it.