Question about inatall Linux on tablet pc
 

Not sure if this should go under hardware or something else.

I just bought a Lenovo MiiX320 x5 4G memory and 128 ssd internal with touch screen and detachable kbd.

The system came with windows 10. Not a fan of windows anything.

I want to change it for a Linux release.
I cannot seem to figure out how to boot from a usb device.

Has anyone loaded Linux on one of these or similar devices?
Even if I have to boot USB and keep the windows 10 on the internal disk that is fine.

I will be using this for travel and do not need or want to use windows if I can at all help it.

If not I may have to return it and look at other options.

Don't want to carry a 5lb laptop ever place so was looking for a smaller solution.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Have you searched how to boot that system from USB?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=lenovo+miix+320+boot+from+usb

The first result offers a solution.

I saw that but it did not work for me. That is why I asked.
Not sure what UEFi is. I dont find a boot from usb in the menu they describe.

Also what Linux has anyone loaded?
Did the touch screen work. (Not a big deal)
Did the wifi etc work like usual etc.

I don't have that product so I can't necessarily offer any stronger recommendations.

Wasn't aware you had tried anything until you offered the update.

UEFI BIOS is a newer BIOS technology which can boot in secure mode and sometimes causes problems with older versions of Linux.

All I can recommend at this point is to search a bit about how others have installed Linux on those systems, or go with your alternate option and return that one and verify that what you consider purchasing next will be something that people have a good bit of Linux experience with. I know there are no guarantees, but sometimes you can tell by seeing a lot of comments or questions about a system where there are answers or the questions themselves indicate one or several Linux distributions being run on that type of system.

Since you seem to have a problem with UEFI BIOS, perhaps what you ought to consider is purchasing a lightweight system that already runs Linux.

Thank you for the update. Yes sorry I should have mentioned that. Totally spaced that I had looked at Lenovo site.

What would you consider to be a lightweight system running Linux?

I have seen plenty of PC all running windows 10 . Nothing i see says Linux.
I did find a tablet devices at Walmart running Android but the reviews were so so and it was slow etc. Not to mention the flat kbd people had issues with.

Don't want to go to Chrome book all cloud based.
Trying to stay around the 350 or less as this will be used only for a specific purpose.

All the Dells/HP etc range around 4.8 to 5 lb that i saw. I can easily put CentOS or something like that on those. I have one now. Weight is an issue when traveling with something.

I don't recommend a Chrome book either.

I'd just search whichever computer sales places are in your area. Such as for me there might be NewEgg, CDW, and Amazon and use the search criteria to find what I want. It all depends on price you wish to pay. We formerly purchased some Linux based Netbooks. I like a system with a keyboard no matter what. The one I had long ago was Intel ATOM based and it ran all day without a charge. It was uber light, like less than 4 lbs or even maybe less than 3 lbs. So light it felt like a kids' toy. Asus makes a few, but there are others.

Well back on topic :)

I made some good progress on this issue last night.
I did indeed confirm with Lenovo that Linux will run on this device. They will not support it but yes it will run.
I was able to build an UEFI USB installer and have it boot off it. Asked me to install or test the media message.

The issue I am now facing is I want to build a USB LIVE CentOS kde or gnome USB. When I built it, it is not seeing the USB device even though I built it the same as the installer one.

Not willing to risk installing on the internal disk yet. have to be sure CentOS will work.
If not I may try Ubuntu next.



I used rufus to build the USB.

What I did:
I was able to build an installer disk and have that run but do not want to install onto my internal disk just yet. I want to try it first.

I downloaded the Live image from CentOS site for gnome to try and build one. "CentOS-7-x86_64-LiveGNOME-1708.iso"

I also used rufus with default setting same as the one I used to build the installer disk.
When I look for the device in the BIOS no UEFI bootable (except internal win10) device is found.


Also will CentOS support the touchscreen function and tablet mode of this device?

While it says release 7 works for secure boot, those tables indicating that nothing works seems to indicate more https://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/UEFI

From a user on centos site
"The LIVE media is not UEFI capable and I do not think you can make it so without rebuilding it entirely from scratch."

So looks like Live ISO is not a valid option to try.

Maybe Ubuntu has one.

I didn't want to second guess CentOS because people who use that, typically use it because they wish to make a server much like RHEL.

However this system seems to be a very simple tablet computer for travel purposes.

I'd recommend a desktop distribution you like. Ubuntu and Mint seem to have great track records.

So I have tried Ubuntu and mint Linux with no success.
Changing out the hardware is not really an option. On the Lenovo site people have gotten this to work. I found several good links.
However my device doesn't seem to want to boot.

See the attached screen shot I was finally able to get from it.

Also I followed these instruction. This guy did a nice write up for sure.

https://esc.sh/blog/linux-on-lenovo-miix-320/

I also tried these links with no success.

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutoria...k-on-windows#4
https://askubuntu.com/questions/3958...usb-live-media
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2342097

I know you say you cannot boot. My suggestion is for when you get something to boot.

I use a cheap roll up usb silicone keyboard when dealing with Tablets and linux. I use a external Mouse also.

I find it just easier when starting out on trouble shooting tablets and Linux .

When I click on this

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutoria...k-on-windows#4

Sorry I am confused here. not sure what a kbd and mouse has to do with my USB not booting Ubuntu on the Lenovo.


My device has a kbd and track pad so i dont need one of those.
But I do appreciate the info.

This link sounds like the above statement may be the cause of your current situation. You might want to re-read and see where you went astray during your try outs.