[Software] Snapdragon X Processors Debian Support

[deltalin]

Hi Guys,
I'm about to get a Plus X Snapdragon Lenovo Laptop equipped processor. The simple question is whether there's a working debian distro in place for it. I see an "arm" version distro on the download options' list and I don't know if it suits for me.

I've already two RPI4 running debian no issues, but I don't know if that version also fits for the new qualcomm processors as well.

I've had several conversation over the phone with the Lenovo techical support and the answer from their side whether their Qualcomm equipped Laptops can work on linux: the answers have essentially been "We don't know, just try and see" (...).

That's why I'm here bothering you....

Any help is much appreciated...

[arzgi]

Welcome!

I have not direct answer, but Debian supports arm-processors and many others.

I suggest burning Live Debian, and trying, if you run to problems, you can post here.

Try to ask one question in a post, and to use code tags (black square at the options row) if you show error codes, or what you have done at command line.

[deltalin]

Welcome!

I have not direct answer, but Debian supports arm-processors and many others.

I suggest burning Live Debian, and trying, if you run to problems, you can post here.

Try to ask one question in a post, and to use code tags (black square at the options row) if you show error codes, or what you have done at command line.

Thanks Mate,
will do some tests and post results here.

[stevepusser]

Is that an arm64 processor?

Anyway, the newest kernel you can get it probably the best for it.

[deltalin]

Is that an arm64 processor?

It is.

Anyway, the newest kernel you can get it probably the best for it.

Hope it will. Ill' let you all know, tnx.

[stevepusser]

Seems like full support for these (they are arm64, but also on a SOC (system-on-chip)) hasn't yet been fully integrated to even 6.11 kernels, but Qualcomm does have a team dedicated to getting these working on Linux.

[deltalin]

Ok.
Got the laptop.
Trying the arm64 Debian iso installation package, does not trigger Linux to start. Black screen for few seconds, then the default preinstalled windows system starts. No errors given, nothing but a black screen...
Have also tried the Aarch64 arm general package solution with same result. Black screen, then windows.
So the Snapdragon SoC is definitely not yet supported in Linux, despite what they write in Qualcomm's arm portal . Now the question would be whether return it to Lenovo or wait. As far as I can get, there's no given time-range as to when Qualcomm's new processors will be fully supported in linux. Months? Years? The experimental installation package they have is one year old... I'll try it anyway.

[DebianFox]

Ok.
Got the laptop.
Trying the arm64 Debian iso installation package, does not trigger Linux to start. Black screen for few seconds, then the default preinstalled windows system starts. No errors given, nothing but a black screen...
Have also tried the Aarch64 arm general package solution with same result. Black screen, then windows.
So the Snapdragon SoC is definitely not yet supported in Linux, despite what they write in Qualcomm's arm portal . Now the question would be whether return it to Lenovo or wait. As far as I can get, there's no given time-range as to when Qualcomm's new processors will be fully supported in linux. Months? Years? The experimental installation package they have is one year old... I'll try it anyway.

After you installed Debian live on USB Flash drive and before trying to boot from it did you change the boot order in the System BIOS to boot from the attached USB port first? Typically the BIOS can be accessed using F2/F8/F10/F12 or CTRL key.

[deltalin]

After you installed Debian live on USB Flash drive and before trying to boot from it did you change the boot order in the System BIOS to boot from the attached USB port first? Typically the BIOS can be accessed using F2/F8/F10/F12 or CTRL key.

Hi there,
yes I did. With F12, then scrolling to the USB specific pendrive on the list of possible devices. No effect...

[friendlysalmon88]

Have you looked into Armbian?

[deltalin]

The Snapdragon SoC is not supported yet there..

[DebianFox]

This support needs to come and fast. The entire x86_64 lineup may die. It cannot compete in terms of raw performance and battery life with the new ARM SoC chips. We can expect ARM SoC to be the standard for Desktop PC going forward.

x86_64 may well end up down the path of UltraSPARC and other processor architecture families.