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 2 days 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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[–] monovergent@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think we can safely rule out anything on the hardware side since accessing any internal component of the Surface Go is tantamount to destroying it.

Assuming Microsoft's UEFI implementation is somewhat standard, Grub2Win should set you on the right path. Have you inspected the underlying grub.cfg? Make sure the entry for the ISO doesn't make any attempt to boot from network.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, this thing is super inaccessible. Damn you, Gates!

You nailed it: I inspected the grub.cfg on the install media, which gave me the required parameters to get my hacked together install partition working. After that, it was really easy!

[–] monovergent@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

Nice! Glad to hear it worked out for you