1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

News Lenovo slammed for OS-locking BIOS block

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Gareth Halfacree, 22 Sep 2016.

Page 3 of 3
  1. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,133
    Likes Received:
    6,728
    Did you read Matthew Garret's blog post, linked upthread and referenced in my comment, that claims Microsoft (allegedly) ships a faulty AHCI driver loaded by default with Windows 10 that (allegedly) causes a drop in system efficiency which (allegedly) harms battery life, and that Lenovo (not allegedly 'cos we know they did this bit) blocked off AHCI in the BIOS in order to (allegedly) force Windows to ignore the faulty AHCI driver and load the RAID driver instead?

    That would be Microsoft's fault, no?

    Except here we're talking about a BIOS that only has a RAID option and nothing else. Y'know, because of the BIOS block. That is most certainly not common.
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 24 Sep 2016
    #41
  2. Jimbob

    Jimbob Minimodder

    Joined:
    2 Jul 2009
    Posts:
    205
    Likes Received:
    7
    I've not read that post, but have seen it mentioned. However that's just an install time driver, it's updated after installation via windows updates so it's problems are very limited. There is nothing that can be done about it now, although I believe it should be patched in 10.1 ISOs.
     
    Jimbob, 24 Sep 2016
    #42
  3. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,133
    Likes Received:
    6,728
    So there really was no excuse for Lenovo to install a BIOS block that prevents AHCI mode being used. Good to know!
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 24 Sep 2016
    #43
  4. Jimbob

    Jimbob Minimodder

    Joined:
    2 Jul 2009
    Posts:
    205
    Likes Received:
    7
    OK, say it is a deliberate ploy to stop Linux running on it. Say you work for Lenovo, one day your boss says "Gareth, I feel like blocking Linux from our laptops" after trying to change his mind you reluctantly agree to sort it for him. Would you A, turn off AHCI which could be circumvented by getting a driver made, or B, turn on Secure Boot features which is designed specifically for the job. (OK, not for that job but you get the idea)
     
    Jimbob, 24 Sep 2016
    #44
  5. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,133
    Likes Received:
    6,728
    Except that Linux can boot under Secure Boot just peachy these days, so that wouldn't work.

    Recall, too, that what Lenovo has done also prevents any version of Windows prior to 10 (and even Windows 10, if you don't have a copy of Lenovo's special driver) being installed. That's a pretty poor show from what you say is a laptop made exclusively for Windows use, wouldn't you say?
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 24 Sep 2016
    #45
  6. Corky42

    Corky42 Where's walle?

    Joined:
    30 Oct 2012
    Posts:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    388
    No they haven't, but they've made an OS that on default settings automatically downloads and installs drivers as it sees fit, that's why Microsoft are being apportioned blame, if Windows 10 didn't do that by default Lenovo wouldn't have needed to lock the BIOS as the driver they installed would never accidentally be automatically replaced.

    Besides Microsoft also stated that only Windows 10 is going to support newer processors, a stance that was then followed by Intel and AMD, if that's not Microsoft at fault IDK what is.

    Except you can't because both Intel and AMD have agreed to align themselves with Microsoft's support policy of only supporting newer processors on Windows 10.
     
    Corky42, 24 Sep 2016
    #46
  7. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,133
    Likes Received:
    6,728
    Remember this? Remember how it "wasn't a BIOS lock," and how it "wasn't Lenovo's fault," and how "Linux needs to get its act together," and how "Linux needs to support the laptops, not the other way around," and how "Lenovo didn't have a choice?"

    Well, Lenovo's just released a BIOS update which adds the missing AHCI mode, allowing Linux to boot and operate just fine on the affected laptops. So much for those arguments, eh? Not to mention the company's "we're using a storage controller that isn't supported by Linux and doesn't allow Linux to be installed" claim, which it turns out should actually have read "we're deliberately disabling the mode that would allow the storage controller to work just fine under Linux."
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 28 Oct 2016
    #47
  8. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

    Joined:
    18 Sep 2010
    Posts:
    8,705
    Likes Received:
    515
    ^haha - it's almost like you know what you're talking about isn't it - almost like it's your actual job or something :p
     
    GeorgeK, 28 Oct 2016
    #48
  9. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,133
    Likes Received:
    6,728
    Who'd a thunk it, eh?
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 28 Oct 2016
    #49
Page 3 of 3
Tags: Edit

Share This Page