Skip to content

Debian and Ubuntu-based Installation Guide Rework #391

New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

Sign up for GitHub

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Draft
wants to merge 12 commits into
base: master
Choose a base branch
from
Draft

Debian and Ubuntu-based Installation Guide Rework #391

Show file tree
Hide file tree
Changes from 3 commits
Commits
Show all changes
12 commits
Select commit Hold shift + click to select a range
312b0d0
Fix typo
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
90bd86b
Initial fixup: (some) rephrasing
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
11ef21b
Fixup: rephrasing, correct some grammar, indicate what distros are ba…
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
3e8c054
Add longer title to this warning
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
969781a
Fix style according to AdityaGarg8
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
db10c0b
Use suggestion from AdityaGarg8
thefirethirteen Feb 6, 2023
ec49d80
No more double brackets
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
b117cc3
Add more info on the required hardware
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
02e5d8f
Emphasize internal Wi-Fi is not available in the live ISO
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
678d17d
Rework Installation section, attempting to make it more clear
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
98ac779
Make section more compact
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
0e74bec
Fix typo
thefirethirteen Feb 7, 2023
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension
Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
72 changes: 38 additions & 34 deletions docs/distributions/debian/installation.md
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,93 +1,97 @@
# Introduction

This guide shall help you in installing a Debian or Ubuntu based Linux distro, which is not available as a modified ISO with T2 support.
This guide will help you in installing a Debian or Ubuntu-based Linux distro that does not have a modified ISO with T2 support.

Some popular distros include :-
Some popular distros include:

1. [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/)
2. [Pop!_OS](https://pop.system76.com/)
3. [elementary OS](https://elementary.io/)
4. [Debian](https://www.debian.org/)
5. [Zorin OS](https://zorin.com/)
6. [Kali Linux](https://www.kali.org/)
7. Other Ubuntu flavours like [Kubuntu](https://kubuntu.org/), [Ubuntu unity](https://ubuntuunity.org/) etc.
* [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/) (Ubuntu-based | Debian-based if using LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition))
* [Pop!_OS](https://pop.system76.com/) (Ubuntu-based)
* [elementary OS](https://elementary.io/) (Ubuntu-based)
* [Debian](https://www.debian.org/) (Debian)
* [Zorin OS](https://zorin.com/) (Ubuntu-based)
* [Kali Linux](https://www.kali.org/) (Debian-based)
* Other Ubuntu flavours like [Kubuntu](https://kubuntu.org/), [Ubuntu Unity](https://ubuntuunity.org/) etc. (Ubuntu-based)

# Hardware Requirements
# Required Hardware

* USB-C to USB adapter
* Wired internet connection (Ethernet/USB tethering) or Wi-Fi adapter compatible with Linux
* USB-C to USB-A adapter
* Internet connection - either **wired** (using an USB Ethernet dongle or USB tethering from a phone) or **wireless** (using a Linux-compatible Wi-Fi adapter)
* External keyboard and mouse

# Install Procedure

!!! Warning "Installation fails when installing the bootloader (Eg :- GRUB)"
It is possible that during installation, when the installer is installing the bootloader (GRUB in most cases), the installation may fail. This is because the distro's ISO is using an old Linux kernel which doesn't support writing to the NVRAM of T2 Macs. In such a case, boot into the ISO again. When the initial menu gets displayed having options to try/install the distro, press "e" on the option you otherwise would have chosen to install. This will open the command line. Add `efi=noruntime` to the command line and press "F10" to boot. This should fix the issue.
!!! Warning "Installation fails when installing the bootloader (e.g. GRUB)"
It is possible that during installation, when the installer is installing the bootloader (GRUB in most cases), that the installation may fail. This is because the distro's ISO is using an old Linux kernel which doesn't support writing to the NVRAM of T2 Macs. In such a case, boot into the ISO again. When the initial menu gets displayed having options to try/install the distro, press "e" on the option you otherwise would have chosen to install. This will open the command line. Add `efi=noruntime` to the command line and press "F10" to boot. This should fix the issue.

!!! Warning "Pop!_OS"
Due to a bug in Pop!_OS installer, the partition sizes shown by it are incorrect during manual partitioning step. As a workaround you may follow the instructions given in this [GitHub issue](https://github.com/elementary/installer/issues/620#issuecomment-1356978490) in the live ISO environment to fix the installer and then start the installation.
Due to a bug in the Pop!_OS installer, the partition sizes shown by it are incorrect when using manual partitioning. As a workaround you may follow the instructions given in this [GitHub issue](https://github.com/elementary/installer/issues/620#issuecomment-1356978490) in the live ISO environment to fix the installer and then start the installation.

1. Follow the [Pre-installation](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/preinstall) steps to prepare your Mac for installation.
2. Boot into the Live ISO. You should now be in the GRUB boot menu. Select the option which is relevent to you.
3. Start the installer and install it like normal until you get an option to manually specify partitions.
4. Find the partition you made for Linux when you were following the Pre-installation steps. MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE RIGHT PARTITION OR ELSE YOUR DATA WILL BE LOST. Delete it to make free space. You'll need to make these partitions:
2. Boot into the Live ISO. In the GRUB boot menu, select the option relevant to you.
3. Start the installer and go through it like normal until you get to partitioning. Select the relevant option for **manual partitioning**.
4. **WARNING: MAKE SURE TO SELECT THE RIGHT PARTITION OR YOU MAY LOSE YOUR DATA.** Find the partition you made for Linux during the Pre-installation step and delete it to make free space. You'll need to make these partitions:

1. If you want, you can make seperate partitions for **swap**, `/home`, `/boot` etc as you do in a normal PC.
1. You **must** create a **`/`** ("root") partition formatted as **ext4** or **btrfs**.

2. The partition to be made compulsorily is the one mounted at `/` and formatted to **ext4** or **btrfs**.
2. You may opt to make separate partitions for **`/home`**, **`/boot`**, **swap** etc. as you would normally.

3. If the installer used by your distro is `ubiquity`, which is the one used in Ubuntu, Linux Mint etc., then you can leave EFI Boot alone. If you are using a [separate EFI partition](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#using-seperate-efi-partitions), then you shall have to separate it out after installation by following [this guide](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#seperate-the-efi-partition-after-linux-is-installed).
3. If `ubiquity` is the installer used by your distro (used in *Ubuntu*, *Linux Mint* and others), then you can leave EFI Boot alone. If you are using a [separate EFI partition](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#using-seperate-efi-partitions), then you shall have to separate it out after installation by following [this guide](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#seperate-the-efi-partition-after-linux-is-installed).

For other installers, you need to mount `nvme0n1p1`, or your [separate EFI partition](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#using-seperate-efi-partitions) (whatever case applies to you) at `/boot/efi`. If the installer supports the "boot" flag, set it as well for your EFI partition.
For other installers, you need to mount `nvme0n1p1`, or your [separate EFI partition](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/windows/#using-seperate-efi-partitions) (whatever case applies to you) at `/boot/efi`. If the installer supports the `boot` flag, set it as well for your EFI partition.

5. Continue the rest of the setup.
6. Once it's finished, you can reboot without your installation media. Hold down Option (⌥) while booting, then select EFI Boot and press enter.
5. Continue with the rest of the installation.
6. Once it's finished, reboot. You may remove your installation media. Hold down Option (⌥) while booting, then select EFI Boot and press enter.

# Adding T2 support

After installation, we need to install a kernel having patches to support the T2 Macs for the internal keyboard, trackpad, touchbar, audio, Wi-Fi etc. to work. In order to do so :-
After installation, you need to install a kernel with patches with T2 support (needed for the internal keyboard, trackpad, touchbar, audio, Wi-Fi etc. to work).

Steps:

1. Boot into your new installation.

2. Connect to the internet using Ethernet/USB tethering/external Wi-Fi adapter.
2. Connect to the internet using Ethernet / USB tethering / an external Wi-Fi adapter.

3. Add the **t2-ubuntu-repo** apt repo by running

3. Add the **t2-ubuntu-repo** apt repo by running :-

```bash
curl -s --compressed "https://adityagarg8.github.io/t2-ubuntu-repo/KEY.gpg" | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/t2-ubuntu-repo.gpg >/dev/null

sudo curl -s --compressed -o /etc/apt/sources.list.d/t2.list "https://adityagarg8.github.io/t2-ubuntu-repo/t2.list"

sudo apt update
```

4. Now install the kernel upgrade script.

* If your distro is Ubuntu based, run :-
* If your distro is Ubuntu-based, run:

```bash
sudo apt install t2-kernel-script
```

* If your distro is Debian based, run :-
* If your distro is Debian-based, run:

```bash
sudo apt install t2-kernel-script-debian
```

5. Then upgrade your kernel to a T2 kernel by running :-
5. Then upgrade your kernel to a T2 kernel by running:

```bash
update_t2_kernel
```

6. Install the audio configuration files by running :-
6. Install the audio configuration files by running:

```bash
sudo apt install apple-t2-audio-config
```

**Note :-** If your distro is using PulseAudio by default, consider switching to PipeWire as mentioned in the [audio guide](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/audio-config/#audio-configuration-files).
**Note:** If your distro is using PulseAudio by default, consider switching to PipeWire as mentioned in the [audio guide](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/audio-config/#audio-configuration-files).

7. Follow the [Wi-Fi guide](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/wifi-bluetooth/) to get internal Wi-Fi working.

# Basic set up

After installing the new kernel, follow the [Basic setup](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/) guide. You shall mainly have to follow the [Add necessary kernel parameters](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#add-necessary-kernel-paramaters) and [Make modules load on boot](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#make-modules-load-on-boot) sections. If using disk encryption (LUKS), then follow the [Make modules load on early boot](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#make-modules-load-on-early-boot) section as well. Rest have been set up automatically by the kernel upgrade script.
After installing the new kernel, follow the [Basic setup](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/) guide. You mainly have to follow the [Add necessary kernel parameters](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#add-necessary-kernel-paramaters) and [Make modules load on boot](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#make-modules-load-on-boot) sections. If using disk encryption (LUKS), then follow the [Make modules load on early boot](https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/postinstall/#make-modules-load-on-early-boot) section as well. The rest has been set up automatically by the kernel upgrade script.
2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion docs/distributions/overview.md
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ This is a landing page for the distribution specific guides contained in this wi
- [Manjaro](https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/manjaro/home/)
- [NixOS](https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/nixos/installation/)
- [Ubuntu](https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/ubuntu/home/)
- [Debain, Linux Mint, Kali, Pop!_OS and other similar distros](https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/debian/installation/)
- [Debian, Linux Mint, Kali, Pop!_OS and other similar distros](https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/debian/installation/)