Installing Opensuse 13.1 onto Surface Pro 2 - Need help!

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Hello openSUSE forums. In most cases I can troubleshoot just about anything using the experiences and guides from others. However, in this endeavor I am at my wits end and have resorted to asking the community. Linux is new to me. I am familiar with Android and that has given me an idea of how Linux works in regards to the file system hierarchy and permissions, but otherwise its foreign to me.

My goal: Install openSUSE 13.1 64bit as the only operating system (removing the Windows 8.1 partitions) onto the Surface Pro 2 64GB. (It’s amazing how hardly anyone explains how to boot Linux as the sole OS, removing Windows, but there are millions of tutorials for dual boot…)

The issue: During Installation, booting from a USB, I am not able to use the type cover keyboard to get through the entire process. (Touch screen works find but there’s no on-screen keyboard)

Just as a side note, burning the live USB has been successful as well as disabling the secure boot with Windows 8’s UEFI firmware. Booting a live version of openSUSE has also been successful using the KDE environment.

Since the Surface Pro 2 has only one USB slot I cannot try an external keyboard during the installation, although I highly doubt it would work anyhow. Is there any way to get the type cover attachable keyboard to work during installation? This is the only thing keeping me from moving forward. If anyone has any suggestions for a workaround or a way to enable the keyboard it would be most appreciated. I look forward to using Linux very much and this hindrance is beyond frustrating.

#2

only idea I have is to use USB hub to expand the number of slots

Might also try a text install

The install is not really that much different then a dual boot just remove the Windows partition(s)

#3

I took your advice and used a USB hub and I can input text now! Thank you for that suggestion. Now all I need to do is properly partition the drive for SUSE to be the sole OS. I don’t see any option to install to replace Windows. Does this mean I have to use custom partitioning? If so, could you guide me through setting up the partitions correctly. I have read several articles on how to do this but I am still uncertain. I know there needs to be the root directory, a mountable directory, boot, and swap but I want to set up without any issues whatsoever. The Surface has 4GB of RAM but I figure having the swap is still a good idea.

#4

On 2014-04-06 03:46, User1020 wrote:

> Now all I need to do is properly partition the
> drive for SUSE to be the sole OS. I don’t see any option to install to
> replace Windows.

When you get the partition proposal, there is a setting to use the
entire disk. There are no howtos on this because it is very simple.

It is on expert partitioning or manual partitioning, I think. I would
have to try an install to make a photo and tell you exactly where it is.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

#5

In expert partitioning it shows the hard disk and device graph and whatnot. No option for the entire disk. Just before choosing that option there’s

Hard Disk
<Radio button> 1: IDE Disk 119.24GB /dev/sda, SAMSUNG-MZMPC128
<Radio button> 2: SCSI Disk 14.98 GB, dev sdb, PNY-USB 2.0 FD
<Radio button> “Custom Partitioning (for expert)”

Perhaps if I selected option 1 it would use the entire HDD?

#6

Alright I’m an idiot. I selected option 1 and the next section had the option to use entire disk. I liked the way it preset the partition so I’m gonna leave it as is. Going ahead with the install. I’ll post whether it was a success or not!

#7

On 2014-04-06 04:46, User1020 wrote:
>
> Alright I’m an idiot. I selected option 1 and the next section had the
> option to use entire disk. I liked the way it preset the partition so
> I’m gonna leave it as is. Going ahead with the install. I’ll post
> whether it was a success or not!

Wonderful!

Sorry I could not point you to the exact menu entry to find it. I knew
the option was there, but unless I have the installation screen in front
of me I can not remember the details.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

#8

I have had success with openSUSE and now just have to iron out some issues with the wifi driver. Thank you gogalthorp and robin_listas for your suggestions and help. I would consider this thread solved.

#9

https://forums.opensuse.org/showthread.php/496752-Dual-boot-Windows-7-OpenSuse-13-1?p=2634938#post2634938

#10

On 2014-04-06 06:06, Fraser Bell wrote:
>
> robin_listas;2635333 Wrote:

>> Wonderful!
>>
>> Sorry I could not point you to the exact menu entry to find it. I knew
>> the option was there, but unless I have the installation screen in front
>> of me I can not remember the details.

>
> http://tinyurl.com/pxjtmr2

Ah, some nice photos there :slight_smile:

A few more that I just did:

1 - suggested Partitioning
2 - via create partition setup
3 - use entire disk, or reuse some
of the partitions

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)

#11

Thanks. I try. :wink:

A few more that I just did:

1 - suggested Partitioning
2 - via create partition setup
3 - use entire disk, or reuse some
of the partitions

Aah, good stuff! :slight_smile:

#12

On 2014-04-06 23:06, Fraser Bell wrote:

>> A few more that I just did:
>>
>> ’ 1 - suggested Partitioning’ (http://susepaste.org/72529403)
>> ’ 2 - via create partition setup’ (http://susepaste.org/45244482)
>> ’ 3 - use entire disk, or reuse some
>> of the partitions’ (http://susepaste.org/48121532)
>>
>
> Aah, good stuff! :slight_smile:

Heh, thanks, but it is the second time I do those photos… I lost the
previous attempt, made months(?) back. There is no way to search on
susepaste, or register (AFAIK).

So I made the photos again, because it is a question often asked.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)