Installing on Microsoft Surface Laptop

[f1yankees]

Hey all, I am trying to install Debian 12 on a Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. I was previously able to install Ubuntu 22.04 but would prefer to run Debian if I can get it to work.

I tried the netinst image on a USB and it freezes at the language selection screen (i.e. frozen and not able to drop to terminal).

I tried the Live USB with Calamares installer thanks to a suggestion on Linux Surface. It does complete the install, but the computer will not boot. When I boot, I quickly get a splash screen at the bios with "Welcome to Grub!" and then it immediately reboots. This loop continues indefinitely. Secure boot is off in the bios.

Any ideas? I would guess it might be driver related since Ubuntu installs and boots, but both Debian images I tried say they have the non-free firmware included. I do not even know how to look at a log file since I can't get it to boot to terminal.

Appreciate any ideas.

[ruwolf]

Do you want it without non-free firmware?
I am pretty sure, that Ubuntu have installed it, too.

[Dai_trying]

I have a Surface Pro 3 on which I have installed Debian (Bookworm), I do use the Linux-surface kernel though as I find it is better suited (IME) as everything just works, although as always ymmv.

[f1yankees]

Thanks for your replies.

The issue seemed to be related to Secure Core. I had only disabled Secure Boot. I disabled both Secure Boot and Secure Core, and GRUB will now bring up a prompt to decrypt my drive. Debian 12 then boots fine.

I installed the surface kernel as well, and it seems like most things are supported on my Surface Laptop 5.