Microsoft Entering Agreements with Laptop Makers to Block Linux

[Prima.Vera]

True

 

[RejZoR]

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

One more reason not to buy garbage Lenovo. I had one of their laptops and it was the biggest garbage I ever owned. Had it 3 times in service when it was 1 month old, it actually broke down again while it was in service, then it broke down again when I got it back and then I demanded a new one which I sold immediately after I got it. God damn piece of crap. I'm staying as far away as possible from their crap as a precaution.

 

[remixedcat]

Microshaft is at it again i see... teee! they won't last long at this rate win 10 and salty nutella will rot in my compost bin

 

[Ubersonic]

In fairness it was Google who started this **** when they began blocking Chromebooks from installing Windows. Microsoft are just returning fire.

 

[Melvis]

Can't vouch for every model out there but my L412 has been going strong for 5 years now and it's built like a tank.

Same here, my little x131e is built like a tank and still goes strong till this day. I recommend Lenovo most of the time because of there design (easy to get to all your internals still) but that been said the very cheap Lenovos are very crap, spend over the $500 and there pretty good.

 

[remixedcat]

wait! wait! halt the presses! http://fossforce.com/2016/09/surprise-microsoftt-blocking-linux-lenovo-laptops/

hmmmmmmmmm

 

[qubit]

Ah, the fine actions of customer-focused megacorporations strikes again.

 

[Naito]

Micro$h!t at it again.
I so much like Vulkan to really take off fast so I don't have to deal with Microsoft products.
I am a PC gamer and currently the only reason I put up with Microsoft is because there is no other option for me.

If it wasn't for Microsoft, we'd all be using either a proprietary IBM platform or something from Apple. Wintel did a lot more for the computer industry than you and many others give credit for...

 

[lemonadesoda]

This is a rare occasion where I hope there is a MONSTROUSLY punitive fine against M$ and Lemonovo. Let's hope they also sold some of these into the EU, because the EU will definitely (after about a hundred years) take action against both for that.

As a long time M$ fan, these practices are destroying my loyalty to MS.

 

[lemonadesoda]

wait! wait! halt the presses! http://fossforce.com/2016/09/surprise-microsoftt-blocking-linux-lenovo-laptops/

Careful of that article by Christine Hall. Is that a PR job by Lenovo or M$? Is she a shill? I think so...

 

[erixx]

2 models between hunderds of laptop models have latest tech that has no linux driver. Or MS has some mac-like marketing. Or whatever. But yes, Lenovo should have informed better, as this is unusual.

Next worldshaking "issue"!

 

[Vayra86]

It may be up to Lenovo more so than it is up to Microsoft right here.

Lenovo is trying everything it can to maximize profits on their laptops. Not too long ago they had this little 'issue'

http://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.

 

[erixx]

10 years ago I had a Lenovo N500 laptop and it was a tank, no issues whatsoever. Their ThinkPad line is also nice. What are the negatives? Maybe like most brands: now having a super cheapo line? maybe.

 

[Easo]

Microsoft is not blocking anything.
https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/53v9er/mjg59_microsoft_arent_forcing_lenovo_to_block/

Cut your corporation hate a bit.

 

[Frick]

Everyone who does not use the term Micro$uck is a shill by definition. It stands to reason.

 

[Ahhzz]

any idiot that buys Lenovo deserves have their identity sold and abused. Ya'd think Lenovo wouldnt pull BS like this since the Superfish scandal.

the DOJ should be investing Lenovo for shady practices. But, I'd also be happy if they get sue'd for this.

#boycottLenovo

Yeah, because Lenovo is the Big Bad here... they just decided of their own free will that they would only support M$ on their devices....

Microsoft is not blocking anything.
https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/53v9er/mjg59_microsoft_arent_forcing_lenovo_to_block/

Cut your corporation hate a bit.

What. Did you really think Lenovo would put a big sign that siad "Yes, we agreed with M$ that we would only allow installations of their OS." Seriously?

If it wasn't for Microsoft, we'd all be using either a proprietary IBM platform or something from Apple. Wintel did a lot more for the computer industry than you and many others give credit for...

Ah. so that makes it ok that they utilize shady business practices.

 

[$ReaPeR$]

well, this is some shady crap. if this is a problem for the aforementioned series of laptops it's Lenovo's problem and it should get fined, if there are more series affected then its an M$ and Lenovo conspiracy and they should get fined to oblivion.

 

[bug]

where does it suggest fowl play

explain it if Microsoft wanted to block linux installs all they would need todo is tell lenvo to revoke the public GRUB UEFI keys AND The key self-install option which is a whole hell of a lot harder to get around then simply not supporting ACHI mode

again anybody that remotely understand the subject here will tell you that disabling ACHI is in no plausible way related to blocking linux its just a stupid decision made by lenvos historically inept firmware team

People would take you a lot more seriously if you would spell AHCI correctly.

If it wasn't for Microsoft, we'd all be using either a proprietary IBM platform or something from Apple. Wintel did a lot more for the computer industry than you and many others give credit for...

You probably don't realize you have the PC primarily because IBM opened up the BIOS spec...

 

[D007]

Because what do people with a lot of money need? More money...
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.

 

[Easo]

What. Did you really think Lenovo would put a big sign that siad "Yes, we agreed with M$ that we would only allow installations of their OS." Seriously?

I am not sure what you mean. All I know is that this is not Microsoft's fault and they are not blocking anything.

 

[rtwjunkie]

If it wasn't for Microsoft, we'd all be using either a proprietary IBM platform or something from Apple. Wintel did a lot more for the computer industry than you and many others give credit for...

So what? They got us here. Now they are abusing and ruining it. I could build 500 orphanages, but as soon as I kill someone, all that good is erased.

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.

 

[Ahhzz]

I am not sure what you mean. All I know is that this is not Microsoft's fault and they are not blocking anything.

I'm sorry, you "know" this?

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?

 

[Vayra86]

So what? They got us here. Now they are abusing and ruining it. I could build 500 orphanages, but as soon as I kill someone, all that good is erased.

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.

We know a couple of things;

- 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

 

[rtwjunkie]

- 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

Agreed! They both need to fix this.

 

[BiggieShady]

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.

Why is it against the law to include a piece of hardware that is not supported on all operating systems?
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)