UEFI supported hardware

[pbowyer]

I mentioned the following on the PCLinuxOS testing website and was instructed to ask on the forum, so here is what I posted there followed by a few more questions.
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I'm approaching the time when I need to upgrade from my 3.2GHz Pentium4 computer to something more modern because I'm noticing a few speed related issues. I've also recently come across the controversy concerning the UEFI specification endorsed by Microsoft and I'm wondering if PCLinuxOS has/is doing something about supporting motherboards that implement the UEFI specification. Is it likely that PCLInuxOS will be able to boot/dual-boot on one of these new system boards? Has anyone had any experience in this matter with system boards that support UEFI?
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I'm specifically looking for actual hands-on experience with UEFI supported hardware such as motherboards, video cards, etc. and whether Linux can be reliably booted on them,

Was there a way to disable the UEFI security feature to allow Linux to install and boot?

Did it require a 64-bit Linux?

Any other experiences that might be useful in choosing the correct system for installing Linux on the new UEFI supported hardware.

Thanks in advance for any comments.


I found and added this after posting, which may be of interest to someone.
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=111327&p=1

[rubentje1991]

I'm really interested in this.... but I think I can't help you at all at the moment (don't have any real, usable knowledge about UEFI yet)
So, I just hope your experiments will succeed 

[menotu]

Could possibly have a look around sites like Phoronix as they cover lots of hardware and software reviews

[weirdwolf]

Phoronix, Excellent site! Wish I could remember them more often.
 

[pbowyer]

I looked around on Phoronix, but I could not seem to find anything explicitly related to UEFI.

I did discover this document from another distro after doing more Internet searching:
https://help.another distro.com/community/UEFIBooting


edit: I guess I'm being moderated since what is listed is not what I posted...

[kjpetrie]

They use Grub 2, which would make quite a big difference. (I'm guessing "another distro" is the current forum substitution for the big U.)

[menotu]

Please forgive this plug for a vote for Stand up for your freedom to install free software!   which Timeth posted in the following link (especially as it's also UEFI related)

Thanks

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,97234.msg832165.html#msg832165

http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot/

[menotu]

I looked around on Phoronix, but I could not seem to find anything explicitly related to UEFI.

I did discover this document from another distro after doing more Internet searching:
https://help.another distro.com/community/UEFIBooting


edit: I guess I'm being moderated since what is listed is not what I posted...

Anything of any use from the following link?

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&client=pub-0253814508491313&cof=FORID%3A1%3BGL%3A1%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.phoronix.com%2Fphxcms-css%2Fgoogle_search.jpg%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A292%3BLBGC%3A000000%3BLC%3A%232b6b29%3BGALT%3A%232b6b29%3BGFNT%3A%233e3e3e%3BGIMP%3A%233e3e3e%3B&domains=www.phoronix.com&channel=7336209522&flav=0000&sig=jw6jQQQQaVBZd27M&q=UEFI&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.phoronix.com

[pbowyer]

RE: Anything of any use from the following link?

I tried doing that search on phoronix before your post, but nothing came up. I must have done something wrong...

[pbowyer]

I found this post in another thread on the forum that seems to give some very relevant information on this subject.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,97234.msg837206.html#msg837206

I hope this passes inspection by the moderators...

[Linath]

Ok,  maybe I am suffering from lack of sleep or simply not seeing the obvious....

With that disclaimer in mind...

Even if I build a new computer: Motherboard, memory, video card etc,  and the Motherboard has UEFI, then I won't be able to install Linux on my newly assembled computer?  Is this the implication of "secure-boot"?

Thanks to all.

[djohnston]

Even if I build a new computer: Motherboard, memory, video card etc,  and the Motherboard has UEFI, then I won't be able to install Linux on my newly assembled computer?  Is this the implication of "secure-boot"?

Yes, you can, if:

The PC manufacturer gives you a way to disable UEFI in BIOS, (or)
The PC manufacturer gives you a way to create a valid UEFI signing key.

[Linath]

Ah,

Now I see the issue ( says the blind man ).   I could see the secure boot functionality being "locked down" by default in OEM boards used in fully assembled PC's that are being sold in Best Buy, Costco etc.   I dont' agree with it, but I can see it.

However, to do that to motherboards that are sold as separate components online ( Newegg, mwave, ZipZoomFly, etc ) is sheer idiocy.

[kjpetrie]

Given that most manufacturers are pretty dependent on MS' approval for their marketing and OEM pricing, they are highly likely to do what MS wants (both publicly and in private, off-the-record, agreements).

On the other hand, many of them are also corporate members of the Linux Foundation, so that could be embarrassing.

We will have to wait and see.

[Dragynn]

However, to do that to motherboards that are sold as separate components online ( Newegg, mwave, ZipZoomFly, etc ) is sheer idiocy.

Exactly. Storm in a tea-cup, the mobo manufacturers will continue to produce boards for builders that don't force this on you, the lesson is, don't buy an OEM machine, build your own.