Are these the correct steps to install openSUSE 12.2 on my UEFI laptop?

English Install/Boot/Login
1

I will install openSUSE on my new Samsung Series 9 laptop (NP900x4C-A01) and I want to make sure I’m going through the proper steps since there is a known issue where install of linux on a UEFI laptop can brick the laptop.

(See here for more info: https://forums.opensuse.org/english/get-technical-help-here/install-boot-login/482848-booting-linux-uefi-bricks-samsung-laptops-how-do-i-get-around.html )

**1. Download the proper openSUSE 12.2 version **

Does it have to be the DVD version? Or can the liveCD version work?

I’ve seen some comments that suggest the liveCD version will not work. Is this because it’s a UEFI laptop (NOTE: see below for the steps I’ll be taking to disable UEFI)? Will it matter?

**2. Burn openSUSE iso to a USB stick with Suse Studio ImageWriter **

Is this Suse Studio best choice? Are there others? Do I burn the liveCD differently from a DVD image?

3. Boot Laptop into BIOS

4. Disable FastBoot

Disable it like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8446486764_e79a1e302a_b.jpg

5. Disable UEFI

Disable it like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8446486786_3aab9a4b3f_b.jpg

6. Set boot order

(I don’t have a USB plugged in in this image, but if I did, I’d choose the proper USB and put it at the top)
Set USB at top like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8445397895_dc94338f7b_b.jpg

7. Don’t do anything with security tab

I assume leave all these settings alone: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8445397925_63d09f9d92_b.jpg

8. With openSUSE USB plugged in, exit BIOS and reboot

9. Blacklist samsung-laptop module?

Since samsung-laptop module is what’s been creating all those issues, do I need to blacklist it? If I’m disabling UEFI, does that matter?

If I do disable it, I assume I do it by selecting install and at boot options (http://blog.gambliser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/opensuse-12-2-install-1.jpeg) I enter:


samsung-laptop.blacklist=yes

Is that correct? (And is that the correct name of the module?)

10. Remove all traces of Windows

I want to do this because I will never use Windows on this and it has a small drive (only 128GB) so i need all the space I can get.

Is this safe in a UEFI laptop with UEFI disabled?

Are there any things I need to be careful about doing this?

11. After install is complete, upgrade Linux Kernel

I want to do this because I’ve read the later kernels work much better with these laptops, have better battery life and can handle sleep/resume while older versions cannot (and without samsung-laptop module, those extra compatibilities will help).

What’s the latest kernel that works well with openSUSE 12.2?

I’m thinking my steps are:

a. Enable multi-kernel support so if something goes wrong, can use currently working one

Do it like this: openSUSE 12.2: Chapter 12. Installing Multiple Kernel Versions

b. Install newer kernel via:


zypper in kernel-default-3.7.xxx

c. Set current kernel to be the default

How do I do this?

I think that’s it. Am I missing any steps? Thanks!

2

Do you intend to also use windows8, or is it to be Linux a only laptop?

3

10. Remove all traces of Windows

I want to do this because I will never use Windows on this and it has a small drive (only 128GB) so i need all the space I can get.

I see, Linux only.

Change from UEFI to legasyBIOS boot only.
Use a liveCD image on USB.

4

My last post was cut short due to the evening meal, so to answer with more detail-

**1. Download the proper openSUSE 12.2 version **

Does it have to be the DVD version? Or can the liveCD version work?

It should be the 12.2 liveCD, as it can only boot BIOS.

**2. Burn openSUSE iso to a USB stick with Suse Studio ImageWriter **

Is this Suse Studio best choice? Are there others? Do I burn the liveCD differently from a DVD image?

I will leave this to those who have done that more than I.

3. Boot Laptop into BIOS

Yes.

4. Disable FastBoot

Disable it like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8…9a1e302a_b.jpg

Yes.

5. Disable UEFI

Disable it like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8…ab9a4b3f_b.jpg

Yes. Then reboot, you should not be able to boot windows.

6. Set boot order

(I don’t have a USB plugged in in this image, but if I did, I’d choose the proper USB and put it at the top)
Set USB at top like in this image: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8…94338f7b_b.jpg

Yes.

7. Don’t do anything with security tab

I assume leave all these settings alone: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8…d09f9d92_b.jpg

Ok.

8. With openSUSE USB plugged in, exit BIOS and reboot

Yes.

9. Blacklist samsung-laptop module?

Not needed, You are booting BIOS mode only.

10. Remove all traces of Windows

The enjoyable part o the job ;).

11. After install is complete, upgrade Linux Kernel

Do the install, discuss kernel updates later.

NOTE: Unless you have an option in the BIOS that allows you to boot legacy BIOS ONLY and not also UEFI, you will always have to take care about booting any Linux CD or DVD, so the risk of bricking the laptop in the future remains.

The actual cure is a BIOS update that fixes the the bricking of the laptop with UEFI when it becomes available.

Also some BIOS’s have issues with GPT on BIOS, so changing to MBR may be heeded.

5

My above posts are based on this information being correct.

It does, however, only occur when Linux is booted using UEFI. It does not appear to matter whether Secure Boot is on or off. The problem can be circumvented by booting Linux using the Compatibility Support Module (CSM). UEFI firmware on many recent systems includes a CSM to enable operating systems to be booted in the same way as on computers with conventional BIOS firmware. Installing Linux alongside a Windows installation installed using UEFI mode is, however, not straightforward when booting using CSM.

Booting Linux using UEFI can brick Samsung laptops - The H Open: News and Features

If your laptop does get bricked, don’t blame me!

Other options include:

  1. Wait for a BIOS update that fixes the problem, and to hear from others that have tried that update before installing it.
  2. Check that the kernel fixes are in 12.3 when it comes out, and if so, install that.

It should not be a huge time to wait for either of these other options.

6

Thanks!

Can you saya bit more about GPT and changing the MBR? How would I know if I needed to do that and how would I do that?

7

Can you saya bit more about GPT and changing the MBR? How would I know if I needed to do that and how would I do that?

You can try first with GPT, but here is some info.

Legacy BIOS Issues with GPT

To change from GPT to MBR with the tools on the LiveCD the easiest way is to first run “fdisk -l” or “parted -l” to determine the disk you want to work on.
(note You are booting from what is seen as a USB HDD and your disk lettering may change).

Once you have determined the disk to work on,

If it is /dev/sda you would use,


su -
parted /dev/sda mklabel msdos

And follow the prompts.

Note that this will make all data previously on that disk inaccessible.

8

Does that mean I’d then need to reinstall?

9

Does that mean I’d then need to reinstall?

If you try first with GPT and you have issues, then yes.

Even though I don’t have much faith in Samsung’s BIOS/UEFI I would probably still try GPT first,. But your choice.

You do realize the parted command is done before the install?

10

Wait, do you mean the parted command is done before reinstall, or before my first install (which would then have some issue which would be why I’d try that other method, right?)?

11

OK, I installed and booted into the install and so far it seems to be going well! (I’m going to be afraid of bricking for probably the next 20 times of starting up)

So post-install questions:

1. Is it worth installing a newer kernel or should I leave it?

I’m mostly interested in any power-saving gains that the new kernel might offer. Saving battery life on a laptop is very important.

**2. Should I turn fastboot back on?
**
3. Do I need to install any drivers to get hardware-acceleration? What drivers would I install?

**5. Is it safe to use the samsung-laptop features since I’m not usign UEFI?
**
(I’m specifically referring to these things: all mine!: Linux and the Samsung Series 9 NP900X3C )

6. How do I uninstall kpackagekit and stop the updater applet? (I use zypper)

Thanks!

12

After all other preparations eg, downloading burning to CD/DVD or writing to USB and checking md5sum etc, making changes in the BIOS and so on, and just prior to actual install, is where I make changes to Partition setups. In many cases it’s ok to allow the installer to do this for you.
The particular parted command I mentioned should be done manually just prior to install, in your case an appropriate place would be here.

10. Remove all traces of Windows

13

3. Show us

su -
lspci -nnk

5. Yes.

14

This should read prior to setting up partitions.

15

On Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:06:01 GMT, dvhenry
<dvhenry@no-mx.forums.opensuse.org> wrote:

>
>> Does that mean I’d then need to reinstall?
>
>If you try first with GPT and you have issues, then yes.
>
>Even though I don’t have much faith in Samsung’s BIOS/UEFI I would
>probably still try GPT first,. But your choice.

Hunh? It is almost for sure a kit customized AMI or Phoenix BIOS. That
is probably even announced at boot time. Both have the GPT stuff well
worked out. Been so for years.

?-)

16

On Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:16:02 GMT, 6tr6tr
<6tr6tr@no-mx.forums.opensuse.org> wrote:

>
>OK, I installed and booted into the install and so far it seems to be
>going well! (I’m going to be afraid of bricking for probably the next 20
>times of starting up)

Understood. But if the install was going to brick it, it would be dead by
the second after install boot.
>
>So post-install questions:
>
>1. Is it worth installing a newer kernel or should I leave it?
>
>I’m mostly interested in any power-saving gains that the new kernel
>might offer. Saving battery life on a laptop is very important.

Just make sure the machine is stable first, so you can rollback if needed.
>
>2. Should I turn fastboot back on?

Not sure what that does, so i can’t advise.
>
>3. Do I need to install any drivers to get hardware-acceleration? What
>drivers would I install?

What does it have for video?
>
>5. Is it safe to use the samsung-laptop features since I’m not usign
>UEFI?

Dunno.
>
>(I’m specifically referring to these things: ‘all mine!: Linux and the
>Samsung Series 9 NP900X3C’ (http://tinyurl.com/cp29zzh) )
>
>Thanks!