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A GNU/Linux Distro Needing Windows To Install?

Posted by kdawson on from the for-some-values-of-instant dept.

dgun writes "I recently put together a new PC. When I purchased the motherboard, I noticed that it came with an instant-on OS, a small GNU/Linux distro called Splashtop. I assumed that the OS was on a ROM chip on the motherboard. To my great annoyance, when I tried to boot to this OS, a message said that it was not installed. It turns out that motherboard comes with an install disk for this GNU/Linux OS — that you can only run from Windows, to install Splashtop on the hard drive. First of all, doesn't installing it on the hard drive defeat the point of having an instant-on OS? If I wanted to dual-boot a small GNU/Linux OS, there are plenty that I could choose from. Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?"

7 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Gimmic; but not sinister by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Informative

    Splashtop is available in ROM(well, almost certainly flash, not actual ROM) on certain motherboards; but that involves actual components, and raises the cost. Presumably, the maker of the motherboards has some sort of bulk licence with the Splashtop guys, so providing the HDD version is virtually free, and adds a bullet point. Pretty useless; but you can see why that happens.

  2. Port the code then by eggman9713 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm sure quickly enough someone will port it to be installable without Windows. I'm sure it was meant to be for the typical user who has windows installed first, and just wants the instant on one for when they just need the browser quickly and the computer is not on. Someone, anti-MS or not, will port it, I'm sure. Isn't open source great?

    1. Re:Port the code then by JackieBrown · · Score: 4, Informative

      kano from kanotix has made some nice scripts for customizing it.

      http://techgage.com/news/splashtop_hacked_functions_on_non-asus_motherboards/

  3. Bad Article. Poster didn't bother to RTFA. by LurkerXXX · · Score: 5, Informative

    The poster of the story didn't even bother to read the link he provided... You can install it from a USB drive from the source. Asus simply doesn't provide that installer on their install CD.

    This is a non-story. The distro doesn't need windows to install. The distributor was just being cheap.

  4. I got a motherboard for this "feature" as well by JackieBrown · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fortunately, I read the customer reviews at newegg so I was expecting it.

    I installed windows then splashtop. Splashtop is pretty but was not worth the time for the installation of windows.

    I was hoping I would at least be able to update my bios through it.

    It can't update the bios and cannot read any of my partitions.

    I changed my bios setting pretty quick to skip it from asking me to load splashtop.

  5. Re:Yep.. nothing new. by countach · · Score: 4, Informative

    Back in my pre-Mac days when I could be bothered with all this stuff, I always assumed as my starting point that nothing works with Linux, until proven otherwise with sufficient research on the internet. Like it or not, the computer parts industry is still basically a Windows world. Nothing works outside Windows unless proven otherwise.

  6. Re:give me a break by UncleTogie · · Score: 4, Informative

    byw, I have read on Ubuntu forums that Express Gate source is available on ASUS' website, but as yet have been unable to find it.

    That's 'cause these folks make Splashtop, not ASUS. You can find the sourcecode at their page here...

    --
    Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!