Wednesday, September 21st 2016
Microsoft Entering Agreements with Laptop Makers to Block Linux
Digital freedom activists are up in arms over a discovery by Lenovo Yoga 900S and Yoga 710S users that you simply can't replace the pre-installed Windows 10 Signature Edition operating system with one of your choice, such as Linux. Redditor BaronHK tried installing Linux on their notebooks and couldn't, so a support ticket was raised with Lenovo to guide them to install Linux. Lenovo responded that the notebook features Windows 10 Signature Edition, and that "it has been locked as per Lenovo's agreement with Microsoft."
On the Yoga 900S and 710S, Lenovo deployed a proprietary soft-RAID setup that cannot be recognized by Linux installers. You can't even change the SATA controller mode in the BIOS setup program. Even Windows installations don't succeed without special F6_install drivers by Lenovo, and the company only provides drivers for Windows. Lenovo cannot argue that its hardware specifically requires Windows, because Live images of Linux, (such as Ubuntu) function just fine on these notebooks. It's just that you can't make your Live session permanent by installing Ubuntu on the device. Lenovo has since gone into full damage control and denial. It removed the thread from its support forums (view a cached copy), and even changed its explanation from "we blatantly admitted to anti-competitive practices that could cost us a billion-dollar class-action lawsuit" to "we simply don't have drivers for our deliberately unusual RAID setup."
Source:
The Next Web
On the Yoga 900S and 710S, Lenovo deployed a proprietary soft-RAID setup that cannot be recognized by Linux installers. You can't even change the SATA controller mode in the BIOS setup program. Even Windows installations don't succeed without special F6_install drivers by Lenovo, and the company only provides drivers for Windows. Lenovo cannot argue that its hardware specifically requires Windows, because Live images of Linux, (such as Ubuntu) function just fine on these notebooks. It's just that you can't make your Live session permanent by installing Ubuntu on the device. Lenovo has since gone into full damage control and denial. It removed the thread from its support forums (view a cached copy), and even changed its explanation from "we blatantly admitted to anti-competitive practices that could cost us a billion-dollar class-action lawsuit" to "we simply don't have drivers for our deliberately unusual RAID setup."
127 Comments on Microsoft Entering Agreements with Laptop Makers to Block Linux
hmmmmmmmmm
As a long time M$ fan, these practices are destroying my loyalty to MS.
Next worldshaking "issue"!
Lenovo is trying everything it can to maximize profits on their laptops. Not too long ago they had this little 'issue'
www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-admits-security-issues-with-superfish-releases-removal-tool/
From premium and quality brand straight into the cesspit of untrustworthy junk, that's how Lenovo has degraded in the past two years. Nice job!
Avoid this brand right now. They deserve to die fast pulling this stunt, after being called out on the previous one.
www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/53v9er/mjg59_microsoft_arent_forcing_lenovo_to_block/
Cut your corporation hate a bit.
So tired of all the corruption everywhere.. People always thinking they are slick, insulting people's intelligence..
I hope they do get a class action lawsuit.
Doing good in the past is not a free pass for bad behavior.
As to people here claiming to be "in the know", you don't actually know. It is just as likely this is the doing of Lenovo as it is underhanded M$ tactics.
So.... we're really in the need of a couple hundred thousand.. not a lot, just enough to make some problems go away, and get us back on our feet. Could you get me the winning numbers for a small jackpot?
- Lenovo is known for these underwater tweaks, see Superfish
- Microsoft is very eager to push Win 10 as the be all end all OS
- Lenovo ánd Microsoft are both just as guilty of this issue, because MS offers the possibility, and Lenovo adopted it
- If this is an 'honest mistake' the end result still is what it is: you can't use the hardware the way you want it, and that still is against the law. It really doesn't matter how much we know, just the fact that it is not possible is enough to draw conclusions from.
Lenovo has one way out, which is fixing this for all devices that have been sold and are being sold. Regardless, this will harm the brand, and probably harm it more than it will harm MS. And rightly so
Is it against the law to produce ARM based tablet that can install android and not blackberry os? (Not by blocking, mind you, but for example by using some exotic wireless network controller)
In regards to OP, if you're buying a 'Signature Edition' from Microsoft, wouldn't you expect it to be somewhat locked down? You are getting the 'premium Windows experience'...