Why Linux On Microsoft Surface Is a Tough Challenge

Posted by timothy on Sunday December 30, 2012 @11:42AM from the 5-feet-high-and-risin' dept.

hypnosec writes "With Linux enthusiasts and distro publishers eagerly waiting for a solution to Microsoft's UEFI SecureBoot, there are those who have already looked at the viability of Linux on Microsoft Surface tablet. Matthew Garrett, a.k.a. UEFI-guru, has revealed that those who are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping to find run Linux on Microsoft's tablet are on an uphill walk and it doesn't seem to be an easy one. So why is this? The answer is in the manner in which Microsoft has restricted the Surface from loading non-signed software / binaries by implementing UEFI SecureBoot. Microsoft has loaded on the ARM based tablet its private key instead of the 'Microsoft Windows UEFI Driver Publisher' key, which is needed to sign non-Microsoft software like Linux distributions or loaders. So, no publisher key = no signed non-Microsoft binary = no Linux."

1 of 561 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:Well then ... by jedidiah · 2012-12-30 13:45 · Score: 0, Redundant

Fit for purpose also includes running a less broken version of Windows. So any WinDOS machine that prevents me from installing any OS of my chosing is in fact broken.
A force fed version of Windows is pretty much gauranteed to violate at least the spirit of the UCC.

--
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.