Spin SP111-31 vs Ubuntu

Hello,
I have tried boot Ubuntu 16.10/17.04 (the latest daily build with kernel 4.10) on my Acer Spin1 (CPU: Apollo Lake Intel Celeron N3450/GPU: Intel HD Graphics 500/BIOS: InsydeH20 Setup Utility Rev. 5.0, Version: 1.01/RAM: 4GB/HDD: eMMC 32GB) but I had no luck with it (originally there was Windows 10 installed). I have tried:
- disabled Secure Boot option in BIOS
- added an UEFI file as trusted for executing from the USB with installed Ubuntu in BIOS
- created bootable USB with "rufus" or directly from a computer with Ubuntu installed
The problem is when I try to boot the Ubuntu from the USB I only see white underscore character (_) in the upper-left corner and Acer logo in the middle of the screen. So now, after testing, I have no idea if it is possible to boot and install Ubuntu (or Debian based linux distribution) on the Acer Spin1 (maybe I need some different BIOS version). Thank you in advance for any help you can provide (and sorry for my English).

Accepted answers

tcarleton

Well I feel silly - other threads suggested enabling Network Boot was necessary but I assumed it didn't apply to new models. My bad. Enabling (Network Boot AND F12 Boot Menu) gets past the underscore. I'm booting off of USB now Lubuntu 16.10. So far Wifi/touchpad seem to work.

All comments

ppetterr

So I did a lot of testing and it seems that BIOS v1.01 for Spin SP111-31 is buggy. Please, could someone from the Acer technical support check it or send me a newer version for testing?

Karp-Acer_Retired

We suggest you check the Acer website for latest drivers available for your specific model.

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

ppetterr

Thank you, I checked this page but no BIOS section there for this specific model. Do you have an estimate of a release date for newer Spin SP111-31 BIOS?

tcarleton

I'm trying to do the same thing (SP111-31, disabled Safe Boot, trusted EFI) with same result, white underscore _ in the upper left hand corner.

tcarleton

Well I feel silly - other threads suggested enabling Network Boot was necessary but I assumed it didn't apply to new models. My bad. Enabling (Network Boot AND F12 Boot Menu) gets past the underscore. I'm booting off of USB now Lubuntu 16.10. So far Wifi/touchpad seem to work.

ppetterr

Thank you so much tcarleton. It works perfectly now! Man Happy

Kmihalj

Well it does not work for me SP111-32N (N4200, eMMC 64, 4 GB RAM), ... I upgraded BIOS to 1.03 .... and only ArchLinux is booting correctly (with SafeBoot off).
I tryed Fedora 27, Ubuntu 17.10, Manjaro ... and no luck, ... all I have is underscore.
I tryed all combination SafeBoot ON and OFF, .... F12 boot menu, enabled NetworkBoot etc. ..... no luck, and I don't wonna ArchLinux.
I'll try later today OpenSuse, Debian .... maybe some other if I don't succeed with thoose.
Any sugestions, or distro which work ? What is different in Arch so only it can boot.

Kmihalj

I tryed also OpenSuse, Mageia, Debian, Mint... still no luck.

JordanB

@Kmihalj

Please make sure you create a USB factory default recovery drive before you attempt to install Linux.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfKn87nk0F4

You must have secure boot enabled in order for linux to boot. Make sure you add grub to trusted secure boot settings.

I wrote instructions in the link below for someone to install Mint/Ubuntu. You'll have to scroll down as it took me a while before I finally caved in and wrote instructions.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/533717/acer-aspire-es1-111m-linux-mint-installation

JordanB

You can also check the Linux section of the forum for more tips.

https://community.acer.com/en/categories/ssa

JordanB

@Kmihalj

If you still can't get it to work, then you might have 32 bit UEFI. And you may have to google search or check Ubuntu forum if you discover that you have 32 bit UEFI. Not sure about Apollo Lake. Some Apollo Lake are 32 bit UEFI. You can check with HWINFO64. I don't know if you have 32 bit UEFI.

If you have 32 bit UEFI, you can use google translate, but not sure if the link below will help.

https://community.acer.com/de/discussion/533059/linux-auf-acer-one-10-s1003-installieren#latest

https://liliputing.com/2015/07/simplest-way-to-load-ubuntu-on-intel-compute-stick-with-windows-so-far.html

Kmihalj

JordanB said:

You must have secure boot enabled in order for linux to boot. Make sure you add grub to trusted secure boot settings.

I tryed that.... Adding .efi files from USB Stick ... no luck, I can't get past underscore so I cannot install linux since I can't boot any distribution. ...With SecureBoot disabled only Acrh linux can boot, no other.

I have 64-bit UEFI since SP111-32N is preinstaled with Windows 10 home 64 bit, also latest version found on Acer support (v1.03).

JordanB

@Kmihalj

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/484217#Comment_484217

Read @MegaParsec

Read @spektro37

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/476726/es1-132-cannot-install-other-os-than-windows-10-bios-options-missing/p2

Edit: It's possible that Acer/InsydeH2O may need to update your UEFI to be more Linux friendly.

Kmihalj

I am succesfull booting rEFInd image from flash ... but no metter which linux is on another USB I cannot boot it, and so I cannot install it

JordanB

Ok sorry. I use rufus. I don't have your computer model so I don't know what's going on. Sorry. Maybe someone else can help.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Kmihalj

I also use rufus to create bootable USB, also tryed FedoraMedia Writer and uNetBootin ...

JordanB

Ok, typically on **most** Acer laptops with Insyde H2o UEFI, all you have to do is.......

1. Create Linux USB media using the settings on the rufus homepage. GPT partition scheme for UEFI, FAT32, ISO

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

2. Go in to your UEFI settings and load the defaults (F9) and then save/exit (F10)
3. Go back in to your UEFI settings and set a supervisor password and enable the F12 boot menu and then save/exit (F10)
4. Go back in to your UEFI settings. Insert Linux USB in to USB port. Add Grub to trusted secure boot settings. And save/exit (F10)
5. Boot Linux USB by tapping the F12 key at Acer post logo. Install Linux.

It's possible that Acer needs to update your UEFI/BIOS in order for it to work. Acer released the Spin and Swift series around the same time (I think). The problem you're describing sounds similar to the Swift3 problem. It took a UEFI/Bios update to resolve the Swift3 problem. This UEFI update was pushed out through Windows Update (if I recall correctly). Obviously, you need to make sure you have the latest BIOS from Acer downloads.

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

That's all I've got. I guess you could give Acer a call, but I don't know how eager they will be to help for Linux on a Windows 10 PC.

Sorry, I don't have your computer model.

Good luck.

Kmihalj

I give up .... Installed Arch (only one which boot) into VMWare ... and I don't like it.
I'll wait new distros to try, or new BIOS ... which came first.
I tryed everything with zero success, and I just can't boot any distribution from USB (live or install media) so I cannot install any linux distribution, ... pitty, Spin 1 is nice machine, but cripled.

JordanB

@Kmihalj

The link below has a workaround for a Swift3 model that I don't know if it will work for your computer. Read the workaround by @GarMouT and try at your own risk. Obviously, you can apply the basic principles of his workaround.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/464481/ubuntu-on-swift-3-sf314-51-74fw-black-screen-after-menu-on-live-usb/p3

You might even send @GarMouT a private message and maybe he'll have a suggestion even though he doesn't own your computer model.