A GNU/Linux Distro Needing Windows To Install?

dgun writes "I recently put together a new PC. When I purchased the motherboard, I noticed that it came with an instant-on OS, a small GNU/Linux distro called Splashtop. I assumed that the OS was on a ROM chip on the motherboard. To my great annoyance, when I tried to boot to this OS, a message said that it was not installed. It turns out that motherboard comes with an install disk for this GNU/Linux OS — that you can only run from Windows, to install Splashtop on the hard drive. First of all, doesn't installing it on the hard drive defeat the point of having an instant-on OS? If I wanted to dual-boot a small GNU/Linux OS, there are plenty that I could choose from. Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?"

I don't really think so

[Tenebrousedge]

Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?

Is that a trick question? The GPL says nothing about Windows, it just says that if they're distributing GPL'd binaries, you should be able to get the source code from them. Just because you don't like something does not mean it should be illegal.

Yep.. nothing new.

[cyberjock1980]

I love these motherboard manufacturers. I used to buy ASUS for their new "power saving" feature called EPU. You guessed it, requires Windows. I even went so far as to install Windows just to enable the feature, then reboot into Linux. Didn't work. It doesn't even work with some versions of Windows (Server 2003 x64 I believe).

So, I switched to Gigabyte motherboards. They have the same feature, but they call it DES. Of course, again, it only works in Windows. And again, rebooting into Linux after booting into Windows doesn't fix it.

This might be a nuisance, but I actually BOUGHT both of those motherboards with the intention of using those power saving features... in Linux! I couldn't take them back for a refund, the manufacturer told me too bad, so I'm stuck with them. Nowhere in any documentation from the manufacturers does it state it requires a particular OS. They should be completely honest with their consumer and tell us what features will require a particular OS. Otherwise, I'm going to expect it to work based on hardware/BIOS options.

I feel your pain, but I regret to inform you that if you consider yourself "had", you were "had" when you took it home.

I understand the argument with drivers not being available for Linux. But geez, this is out of control.

Re:Which motherboard was it?

[GameboyRMH]

Needing a three-digit piece of software to start installing an operating system is incredibly stupid, bordering on insane. Luckily if you RTFA that's not really the case, but I've seen similarly asinine things - like a mainboard that needs Windows, IE and ActiveX to stream BIOS updates from the Internet into your chip (not kidding), along with a host of Windows-only firmware update utilities - sure, you could give those a try in WINE, but why not use a boot disk? Running firmware updates from an OS is a pretty unsafe thing to do in any case - there's a lot more to fail in the process and leave you with bricked hardware.

Re:Bad Article. Poster didn't bother to RTFA.

[gaderael]

Well, I've had to use liveCD a couple of times to save data off of a Windows install before reformatting. Does that count?

Re:give me a break

[dgun]

So I overreacted. But still, this is a little different than just downloading and installing some FOSS software on Windows. Part of the software is on the BIOS, or rather there must be some instructions in the BIOS to look for Splashtop, which ASUS calls Express Gate. And what of the setup program? Does the source for the setup program have to be provided? True the setup is probably just copying files, but it would be nice to know exactly where and what the BIOS is looking for to determine whether or not Express Gate is installed.

Anyway, I was just pissed off because the way the thing was distributed, and I find it a little more than ironic that Asus is marketing an instant-on Linux distro as a feature to sell their motherboards, yet requires Windows to run it.

byw, I have read on Ubuntu forums that Express Gate source is available on ASUS' website, but as yet have been unable to find it.

Re:give me a break

[shentino]

Except that in order to install the program you have to get into windows.

...which implies agreeing to the EULA and making the windows tax nonrefundable.

One of the few times where you can get ripped off and still get your money's worth.

Re:give me a break

[selven]

Won't adding a provision to the GPL specifically about Windows violate the non-discrimination requirement?