Multi-arch Live USB?

[Jason_25]

I have a few 64-bit systems with 32-bit UEFI I would like to install Debian on.

I can see here that support for "mixed mode" is available in the multi-arch release:
https://wiki.debian.org/UEFI#A32-bit_x8 ... t_for_UEFI
So I would prefer a multi-arch installation.

Because the driver situation is so poor with these computers, Debian ultimately may not work well. So I would prefer a Live installation.

These computers also lack an optical drive and have weak USB ports requiring an active hub if forced to install from an optical drive. So I would also prefer a USB installation.

I know of the ways to force a regular ISO into doing all these things but I was hoping someone could point me to an ISO that is already "ready to go" and meets all my requirements without any hacks. Thanks.

[kiyop]

If I were you, I would burn amd64 debian live iso with non-free firmware to an USB flash and check if it can boot properly first.
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unoff ... -firmware/
But I am not sure if the debian live can boot on UEFI mode. If not, excuse me.
Do not try to install debian with it, even if it can boot properly. I heard that Debian live cannot install correctly grub2 to a PC with UEFI.
You know that you can install non-free firmware to the installed debian after installation and also during installation, don't you?
https://wiki.debian.org/Firmware

[Jason_25]

Thanks for the help. I was able to use this image with a lot of success:
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unoff ... ch/iso-cd/
I used the backported Kernel 4.4 also.

I was able to get most of the hardware working for Craig CMP 801 and Unbranded (Best Buy) x86 tablets:
Bluetooth - not working
Rotation Sensor - not working
GPS - not working
Audio - not working
Battery controls - not working
WIFI - working
Disk - working
Video - working
Touch - working
Keyboard/Touchpad dock - working
(workaround) USB audio device with microphone and speaker - working

The USB speakerphone I used to replace the broken Bay Trail audio is this:
http://www.amazon.com/mVox-MV100-USB-Sp ... eakerphone
I just sticky taped one on the back of each tablet and plugged in via USB. You can use a right angle type a USB to mini USB to save more room and for a better look also. Obviously this is a poor solution if you have a tablet with only a combined USB OTG and charging port.

Driver links:
Craig CMP 801 - https://github.com/onitake/gslx680-acpi - try 1665x1140 panel resolution for firmware and run xinput_calibrator and create 99-calibration.conf
Unbranded - https://github.com/hadess/gt9xx - this driver should just work without any configuration or calibration
(Both tablets) - https://github.com/hadess/rtl8723bs - try wpa_supplicant instead of WICD or network-manager if you have problems with the wireless key

[kiyop]

I was able to get most of the hardware working for Craig CMP 801 and Unbranded (Best Buy) x86 tablets:
Bluetooth - not working
Rotation Sensor - not working
GPS - not working
Audio - not working
Battery controls - not working

I see. I am not familiar with tablets.
https://wiki.debian.org/Mobile

Why not installing debian in a partition in an internal media and installing firmware driver?

[Jason_25]

I wanted to be clear that it is "working" for me mostly. I don't mind too much that some of the hardware does not work. The biggest problem is inconsistent wifi, along with no audio drivers. See here for the audio problem which looks never to be fixed: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=86581

The debian wiki mobile page looks more focused on ARM devices than x86.

I'm not sure what you mean about installing in internal media with the firmware driver? I have already installed to the internal EMMC in both devices with the aforementioned debian-firmware image.

[kiyop]

I'm not sure what you mean about installing in internal media with the firmware driver? I have already installed to the internal EMMC in both devices with the aforementioned debian-firmware image.

I see. You have installed debian onto a partition in the internal EMMC.
I do not know the URL where "ready-to-go" image can be downloaded.

[Jason_25]

I'm not sure what you mean about installing in internal media with the firmware driver? I have already installed to the internal EMMC in both devices with the aforementioned debian-firmware image.

I see. You have installed debian onto a partition in the internal EMMC.
I do not know the URL where "ready-to-go" image can be downloaded.

That's ok the first link you gave me helped me out a lot. A broken Debian is better than Windows 8.1.

[saljut7]

If I were you, I would burn amd64 debian live iso with non-free firmware to an USB flash and check if it can boot properly first.
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unoff ... -firmware/

I tried this with an Asus Transformer T100 but I can not boot. A multi-arch netinstall image works fine but I can not finish the installation because the Asus T100 has only 1 USB port and no LAN port.

Is it possible to create a multi-arch live image?

[p.H]

I can not boot.

Can you elaborate ?

A multi-arch netinstall image works fine but I can not finish the installation because the Asus T100 has only 1 USB port and no LAN port.

Can you explain why a single USB port prevents to finish the installation ?

[saljut7]

Can you elaborate ?

Neither a 64bit-only ISO nor a 32bit-only ISO is recognized when I try to boot from it (but a multi-arch is).

Can you explain why a single USB port prevents to finish the installation ?

AS far as I noticed there are only multi-arch netinstall ISO to download so during installation the installer wants to download needed packages. The Asus T100 has a WLAN adapter but the installer does not recognize it. I could use a USB-to-LAN adapter but therefor I would need a second USB slot.

[p.H]

Neither a 64bit-only ISO nor a 32bit-only ISO is recognized when I try to boot from it (but a multi-arch is).

The current Debian installer ISO-hybrid images for amd64 combine PC BIOS and 64-bit PC EFI boot capabilities, so it won't boot on a computer with a 32-bit PC EFI firmware without BIOS/legacy compatibility.
But the current Debian installer ISO-hybrid images for i386 combine PC BIOS and 32-bit PC EFI boot capabilities, so it should boot on a computer with a 32-bit PC EFI firmware with or without BIOS/legacy compatibility, provided that it was correctly set up on the USB flash drive and the UEFI secure boot is disabled.
The multi-arch Debian installer ISO-hybrid image just combines PC BIOS, 32-bit PC EFI and 64-bit PC EFI boot capabilities. It is required only if you want to install a 64-bit system on a 32-bit EFI platform.

there are only multi-arch netinstall ISO to download so during installation the installer wants to download needed packages.

Up to Jessie, Debian provided a multi-arch i386+amd64+sources DVD image containing only the GNOME desktop environment. But not any more since Stretch.
The netinstall images allow to install the base system without the need to download anything. You can set up the network and install extra tasks later.

I could use a USB-to-LAN adapter but therefor I would need a second USB slot.

What about a USB hub ?

[saljut7]

The current Debian installer ISO-hybrid images for amd64 combine PC BIOS and 64-bit PC EFI boot capabilities, so it won't boot on a computer with a 32-bit PC EFI firmware without BIOS/legacy compatibility.

The BIOS of the Asus T100 doesn't provide any option for legacy compatibility.

But the current Debian installer ISO-hybrid images for i386 combine PC BIOS and 32-bit PC EFI boot capabilities, so it should boot on a computer with a 32-bit PC EFI firmware with or without BIOS/legacy compatibility, provided that it was correctly set up on the USB flash drive and the UEFI secure boot is disabled.

There is an option to disable secureboot which I've selected to disable it. But actually I didn't try the 32bit only version, because the multi-arch worked.

The multi-arch Debian installer ISO-hybrid image just combines PC BIOS, 32-bit PC EFI and 64-bit PC EFI boot capabilities. It is required only if you want to install a 64-bit system on a 32-bit EFI platform.

Thx, in case of the Asus T100 this is what I want.

Up to Jessie, Debian provided a multi-arch i386+amd64+sources DVD image containing only the GNOME desktop environment. But not any more since Stretch.
The netinstall images allow to install the base system without the need to download anything. You can set up the network and install extra tasks later.

Really? I'm quite sure that I tried the multi-arch installation and the installer didn't go on on a certain point because of missing WAN access. Is there something I have to select, like "just install the minimal setup"?

What about a USB hub ?

Good idea... a LAN-to-USB could also work if I set up a PXE environment. Will keep this in mind if there is no way to install without WAN access.

[p.H]

The netinstall images allow to install the base system without the need to download anything. You can set up the network and install extra tasks later.

Really? I'm quite sure that I tried the multi-arch installation and the installer didn't go on on a certain point because of missing WAN access. Is there something I have to select, like "just install the minimal setup"?

Yes, really.
When prompted, just confirm that you want to proceed without a mirror.

[saljut7]

Yes, really.
When prompted, just confirm that you want to proceed without a mirror.

Just tried:

"Configure the packafe manager" -> (<Country> selection) -> Continue -> ftp.xx.debian.org -> Continue -> (<Proxy> setup) -> Continue -> "Bad archive error - An error has been detected while trying to use the specified Debian archive mirror. ..." -> Continue -> (<Country> selection)

Where is "proceed without a mirror"?

[p.H]

You must NOT select a mirror. Check at the end of the list.
If you select one that is not reachable, of course you will get an error.