How do I install Linux on an Acer Swift Go 14? Is there anything I can do to install a Linux?

jasonXC
jasonXC Member Posts: 2 New User
edited November 2023 in Swift and Spin Series

I want to install Linux on my new Acer Swift Go 14, but when I try to boot into a live USB for PopOS, I get the message "you need to load the kernel first".

Also in the BIOS, most of the options are greyed out/locked and cannot be changed, like Secure Boot.

Is there anything I can do to install a Linux Distribution? Or is it permanently locked into Windows 11?

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    Oh, I really can't recommend you install Pop!_OS. We've had so many users who have been locked out of their BIOS after installing that distribution. Please go with some other Linux flavor… With any modern Linux OS you don't need to disable secure boot or do anything in the BIOS really other than enabling the F12 boot menu option. With that enabled you just reboot with the install flash drive in place and use the F12 key to get the boot menu, then choose your flash drive as the boot source. Remember that the drive is currently setup for Windows so you will either need to free up space to have unallocated areas for Linux and dual boot or wipe it clean with no partitions on it if you know you aren't going to need Windows. The Linux installer will handle creating any partitions it needs.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • grynnan
    grynnan Member Posts: 1 New User

    Not really. EU law states that computer manufacturers aren't allowed to lock out an OS. (On a computer atm)
    By locking secure boot, number of distros can't be installed. Not every distro have signed kernels.
    This limitation are only allowed on devices sold as "Microsoft OS only etc", and Acer Swift 14 is not advertised as such.


    (And within a few years, will also include tablets and phones.)

    (Soon, new EU laws will come, that will force computer manufacturers to allow BIOS to be upgraded regardless of OS on the device. Either by providing a bootable iso, or by allowing BIOS to be updated within the Bios itself. )

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    Pop!_OS doesn't require disabling Secure Boot, it's EFI image is signed. The issue with that variant is the way they lock out just about everything in order to make it more 'user friendly'. I personally prefer something like Mint, which is easier to deal with. Your Swift Go is new enough though that the Linux developers might not have included everything in the kernel to handle all needed drivers for the chipset. They often take a year or so to cover the bases on new machines.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Catalex54
    Catalex54 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    I recently installed the mint 21.2 cinnamon edge iso version. Everything works!

  • imagoX86
    imagoX86 Member Posts: 2 New User

    Yeah, I got Fedora 39 running as well with no issues but I did have to disabe the secure boot in the bios. Fedora signs their kernels so disabling the secure boot should not be required (and it isn't on a Dell laptop I have tested the same usb key after the issue with the secure boot on my Acer Swift Go 14 SFG14-42).

  • AlanSD
    AlanSD Member Posts: 1 New User

    I was not able to get Mint 21.2 or 21.3 to recognize the hard drive. That's with Secure Boot off, and BIOS updated to 1.07. Model is SFG-14-71T72QV. Rather disappointed, wanted to replace my 6 year old Swift 5.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    That's because most, if not all, Linux distributions don't have support for Intel's Rapid Storage Technology. Just disable that in the BIOS and the drive will show up. If you are dual booting with Windows disabling that might require a Windows reinstall.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

Categories