Samsung Laptops Bricked by Booting Linux Using UEFI

Samsung’s UEFI implementation appears to be faulty. It was most likely tested with Windows only and found to work, but thorough testing with other operating systems doesn’t appear to have been a priority—or perhaps a consideration at all. At present, the bug appears to affect Samsung 530U3C, 300E5C, NP700Z5C, NP700Z7C, and NP900X4C series laptops; if you have one of those laptops, we recommend you exercise extreme caution if you have a need to boot into a Linux environment.

Read more at source: AnandTech - Samsung Laptops Bricked by Booting Linux Using UEFI

 

[Coke Robot]

Personally, this type of news makes me sick. Not everybody who buys a computer really wants or needs to run Windows and it absolutely sucks that you are becoming more or less forced too with shoddy tactics like this.

While I know that you can run Linux in a VM, in not every case is this what you want to do.

While Linux may not be your cup of tea, being prevented from using it because of crap like this is pure BS.

By everyone that doesn't want to run Windows, you mean the 1-3 percent of the total OS marketshare that Linux occupies?

 

[pparks1]

Yes, there are people who choose to not run Windows. Even if a small percentage, they are out there.

Also, if dell sells 5 computers with Windows and if 1 person decides to use Linux fir whatever reason..guess what??? It is still considered that 5 more Windows machines are out there.

My average Joe friends use Windows, my gamer friends use Windows, but my techie friends do run a fair number of Linux boxes.

 

[Coke Robot]

Yes, there are people who choose to not run Windows. Even if a small percentage, they are out there.

Also, if dell sells 5 computers with Windows and if 1 person decides to use Linux fir whatever reason..guess what??? It is still considered that 5 more Windows machines are out there.

My average Joe friends use Windows, my gamer friends use Windows, but my techie friends do run a fair number of Linux boxes.

I thought techies build their own systems versus buying...

 

[pparks1]

Some do, but not all. I have no shame in saying I have purchased Dell desktops in the past. Some of my techie friends use laptops and those are typically not built from parts.

Many systems built from parts never make it into the calculation for the number of desktops that exist either. So, there may be more non MS desktops than the numbers show.

 

[Coke Robot]

Some do, but not all. I have no shame in saying I have purchased Dell desktops in the past. Some of my techie friends use laptops and those are typically not built from parts.

Many systems built from parts never make it into the calculation for the number of desktops that exist either. So, there may be more non MS desktops than the numbers show.

Usually if a PC was built, it will count towards the overall amount of PCs used as data can be found from things like internet servers that show if the machine is a Desktop and what the OS is.

But it doesn't count for manufactured PC sales, it does for the OEMs whose parts were used though.

 

[DavidY]

Just came across this post from someone who managed to brick his Samsung from Windows; he says he's never used Linux on it, and is suggesting it's a firmware bug.

mjg59 | Samsung laptop bug is not Linux specific

 

[Dave76]

It's been confirmed it's not a bug that affects only Linux.
Originally from Intel, they put out a notice and it seems some OEMs didn't get it fixed.

 

[jai134]

Sorry if this has been said earlier in the thread. I have had Arch Linux with UEFI-boot on my Samsung 900x4c. There are a few things not working but no major problems.

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Eight Forums jai134, thanks for letting us know your success with your Samsung laptop.