Some Lenovo Yoga PCs may have storage controllers unsupported by Linux

[baronhk]

I got a reply from Lenovo on my Best Buy review about why the BIOS on my Yoga 900 ISK2 UltraBook has been set to stop people from using Linux.

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Lenovo Product Expert
September 20, 2016
This system has a Signature Edition of Windows 10 Home installed. It is locked per our agreement with Microsoft.
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This is related to the discussion going on Lenovo's forum's about why the SSD is locked in a proprietary RAID mode that Linux doesn't understand.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Linux-D...g/td-p/3339206

I've attached a screenshot of my review and Lenovo's reply.

http://imgur.com/a/niewu

So they admitted that this is now a requirement for Signature PCs.

So be warned that if you buy a "Microsoft Signature PC", it may not be allowed to run Linux, per Microsoft.

The Yoga 900 ISK2 at Best Buy is not labeled as a Signature Edition PC, but apparently it is one, and Lenovo's agreement with Microsoft includes making sure Linux can't be installed.

[him610]

Not sure if this is where this should be posted.

I came across these two articles at Slashdot.org
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/...orts?sdsrc=rel

https://linux.slashdot.org/story/16/...linux-installs

Should unsuspecting buyers be warned before purchasing Lenovo Yoga 900 ISK2 UltraBook?

[vasa1]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09...inux_installs/

"Unsupported models will rely on Linux operating system vendors releasing new kernel and drivers to support features such as RAID on SSD," he added. "Unfortunately, I cannot confirm our relationship to the person at Best Buy."

Basically, if you want to install Linux, you need a kernel with the required SSD driver.

And this is what one of the Linux kernel authorities is reported to have said:

We reached out to Greg Kroah-Hartman, one of the leading kernel developers, and he said, “We support more raid controllers than any other operating system, and we support software raid as well (recommended over hardware raid as it doesn't lock you into any one host controller vendor.)”

Commenting on the whole saga, Kroah-Hartman said “It's just a ‘look, another odd storage controller that Linux might not support, but no one really knows as they don't have the hardware to test it with…’ issue."

[6975]

So is this the thread source of the rumor before spread it wildfire became an article many sites & facebook?

[speedwell68]

I have seen all the fuss about this on Google+. Is it any surprise that a Microsoft branded product will only support a Microsoft branded OS?

[mörgæs]

It is indeed surprising.

When a company has a near-total monopoly normal legislation would prevent it from advancing their monopoly even further. In most other kinds of business this would have been brought to court. Remember that Microsoft has been suing Google for abusing their search engine dominance.

[mastablasta]

on the other hand it seems this is the same as for all new hardware with proprietary drivers. at first it only supports MS (or Apple), Linux support is provided (if ever) only a few months (if not a year) afterwards.

[speedwell68]

It is indeed surprising.

When a company has a near-total monopoly normal legislation would prevent it from advancing their monopoly even further. In most other kinds of business this would have been brought to court. Remember that Microsoft has been suing Google for abusing their search engine dominance.

I don't really see how this is advancing Microsoft's monopoly.

[Halbarad]

I don't really see how this is advancing Microsoft's monopoly.

Maybe in this way: that people cannot install Linux on certain machines? I carefully check in advance before buying a new machine. However, it is no longer a matter of a Bluetooth not working -- and the worst thing is that practically nobody cares about that any more.

[RichardET]

It is indeed surprising.

When a company has a near-total monopoly normal legislation would prevent it from advancing their monopoly even further. In most other kinds of business this would have been brought to court. Remember that Microsoft has been suing Google for abusing their search engine dominance.

There are hardware options out there - Dell equipment usually runs fine with Ubuntu. I suggest that people use common sense when making computer purchases, if their real plan is to run it with Linux and not its Windows branded default OS.