How to safely install GNU/Linux distro on a Samsung UEFI enabled laptop

I have already bricked and replaced my Samsung Chronos Series 7 NP700Z3C laptop. I have discussed it in the following question:

Why does my Samsung Chronos 7 not boot anymore after installing Ubuntu?

Summary of the problem is that If you normally try to install Linux on it, your laptop will die.

I am a GNU/Linux user and I boot and install different distributions frequently. Now I want to know how I should deal with this laptop, should I always be afraid to boot a live GNU/Linux distro on it? Or is there a safe way to avoid this problem again?

Thanks.

Mehdi Sadeghi

Posted 2013-02-12T11:17:42.487

Reputation: 167

Answers

The Samsung UEFI bug is not Linux-specific -- as described by Matthew Garrett, it can be triggered under Windows, too. Disabling UEFI support in the laptop is the safest way to deal with it, but this will require re-installing Windows, and the installation media provided by Samsung probably don't support doing a BIOS-mode install. Thus, you may need to find installation media from another source. Personally, I'd return the laptop to the store for a refund and buy another brand, but if that's not an option, converting everything to BIOS mode is the safest (albeit awkward) solution.

With any luck Samsung will eventually release a fixed firmware, but I have no idea how long this will take to appear.

Rod Smith

Posted 2013-02-12T11:17:42.487

Reputation: 18 427

Set the laptop to boot in BIOS/legacy mode/Compatibility Support Module (there should be some option somewhere) and you should be fine. Just don't boot it going the UEFI route.

Mario

Posted 2013-02-12T11:17:42.487

Reputation: 3 685

I will try this as soon as my replacement laptop arrives. – Mehdi Sadeghi – 2013-02-13T06:36:23.873

I ordered another laptop and I hope samsung fixes it's buggy driver very soon. – Mehdi Sadeghi – 2013-03-31T17:27:38.510

According to this article and to committed patch to Linux kernel, most reliable way to avoid this is to disable UEFI mode - this patch simply disables boot if UEFI mode is detected to prevent possible bricking.

mvp

Posted 2013-02-12T11:17:42.487

Reputation: 3 705

I look for a workaround to make sure when I boot a live disk/usb my system will not brick. Because I won't have a second chance. – Mehdi Sadeghi – 2013-02-12T12:25:40.397

before installing linux, go into BIOS and turn UEFI off, or enable legacy boot mode. This will make sure that you laptop will NOT be bricked – mvp – 2013-02-12T17:08:04.233