Spin SP111-31 vs Ubuntu

ppetterr
ppetterr Member Posts: 4 New User
edited January 2018 in Swift and Spin Series

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).

Best Answer

  • tcarleton
    tcarleton Member Posts: 2 New User
    Answer ✓

    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.

     

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Answers

  • ppetterr
    ppetterr Member Posts: 4 New User

    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
    Karp-Acer_Retired Member Posts: 2,599 Guru

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

     

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

    minimizar para MAXIMIZAR.

    Descubra a mais recente e inovadora tecnologia que chegará no mercado, next@acer.
  • ppetterr
    ppetterr Member Posts: 4 New User

    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
    tcarleton Member Posts: 2 New User

    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
    tcarleton Member Posts: 2 New User
    Answer ✓

    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
    ppetterr Member Posts: 4 New User

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

  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    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
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    I tryed also OpenSuse, Mageia, Debian, Mint... still no luck.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited December 2017
    @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


    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited December 2017
    You can also check the Linux section of the forum for more tips.

    https://community.acer.com/en/categories/ssa
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    @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


    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    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
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited December 2017
  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    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
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    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/
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    I also use rufus to create bootable USB, also tryed FedoraMedia Writer and uNetBootin ...
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited December 2017
    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.


    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    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
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited December 2017
    @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.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Kmihalj
    Kmihalj Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    Antergos is booting :) ... now burnin KaOS to USB to try (all Arch based)