Hacking Steam Deck - Other OS / Mods

[svet-am]

I pre-ordered the 512GB Deck. I'm really hoping that Valve is pretty transparent about the build and hardware of this device like they have been in the past. At a minimum I want to try to hack Android on to (just to say I did) and to put Windows on it (just to say I did but I might leave it if it helps game compatibility). I'm also planning to hack on the battery because the battery life they are listing right now isn't super great.

Anyone else excited just for the hacking possibilities?

[svet-am]

I didn't say BIOS, I said OS. They could disable the Linux-based OS from supporting it just like Microsoft originally did on XBOX One even though it's based on Windows and Sony did on PS4 even though it is based on BSD.

[WhiteKnight]

I read that as BIOS. gaaah. Unsure why you are having doubts when it's mentioned on their homepage.

[Chryseus]

svet-am の投稿を引用：

I didn't say BIOS, I said OS. They could disable the Linux-based OS from supporting it just like Microsoft originally did on XBOX One even though it's based on Windows and Sony did on PS4 even though it is based on BSD.

I can see you've never used Linux, it's literally impossible to do so..

[Silence]

svet-am の投稿を引用：

I didn't say BIOS, I said OS. They could disable the Linux-based OS from supporting it just like Microsoft originally did on XBOX One even though it's based on Windows and Sony did on PS4 even though it is based on BSD.

Sony did use BSD because the license allowed them to lock it down and do whatever they want with it.
But Linux is under the gpl. If you ship it to someone, you are obliged to provide the source code and all changes that you did. They could only lock it down at UEFI layer with secure boot for example but they say its open and that you can install everything you want.

[Darzai]

Installing other OS is intended use of Steam Deck. It is an open system. What hacking is required?

As for locking down a linux based OS. OP is right that they could have. Android is a linux based OS that can be locked down. It all depends on what proprietary binary blobs and firmware are required to run the hardware. Because linux is just the kernel. Not an OS in the way most people talk about an OS.

Not that this is all relevant for Steam OS 3.0 though. This will be open source.

[[-RS-]VitalsFading]

svet-am の投稿を引用：

FWIW, USB C in and of itself doesn't mean it will support mouse/keyboard. That can be easily disabled in the OS. From the other posts I am seeing it _does_ look like it will support them but the presence of USB C alone isn't sufficient.

svet-am の投稿を引用：

FWIW, USB C in and of itself doesn't mean it will support mouse/keyboard. That can be easily disabled in the OS. From the other posts I am seeing it _does_ look like it will support them but the presence of USB C alone isn't sufficient.

you understand this is just a form factor pc right ??? that you can install windows on it if you choose .... i don't understand why some people don't understand this

[FatStupidAmericant]

What I want to see is what use people make of it outside of desktop/gaming use

[Moskeeto]

It's an open system with a preinstalled (Arch-based LInux) OS. Valve isn't locking it down from allowing you to install whatever you want on it. They specifically mentioned you could install Windows on it if you liked. With that being said, that's not hacking since it will be allowed through normal means rather than modifying the system in some manner to circumvent protective measures made to prevent that from happening.

[svet-am]

@Chyrseus "I can see you've never used Linux, it's literally impossible to do so.." Would you really like to see my commits in the Linux kernel? You can _absolutely_ disable specific drivers in the kernel. I do it all the time. I could _easily_ disable USB keyboard/mouse support in the kernel and only allow on-screen keyboard or SSH access.

[Hatchetforce]

Valve is being both smart and good to customers by saying do what you want. Half Life was a landmark game. No doubt. If you do not understand its impact, watch this:

https://youtu.be/BQLEW1c-69c

But what extended Half Life were the mods which Valve encouraged. There were some companies that tried to lock down their games but Valve promoted the fanbase actions and this was a major factor in extending the game, its sales and its impact. Doing so was good for fans and it was good for Valve. Win win.

[svet-am]

Absolutely, I agree. I've seen a whole lot of replies to this thread implying that "duh, of course you can install whatever you want on it." As I noted in one of my replies, I hadn't seen that originally and I applaud it. With that, I'll definitely be trying out different flavors of Linux, Windows, probably a BSD install. For HW mods, I definitely want to see what kind of battery mod I can get it in it and maybe even see what I can do about making it work with something like the Switch dock.

[Chryseus]

svet-am の投稿を引用：

@Chyrseus "I can see you've never used Linux, it's literally impossible to do so.." Would you really like to see my commits in the Linux kernel? You can _absolutely_ disable specific drivers in the kernel. I do it all the time. I could _easily_ disable USB keyboard/mouse support in the kernel and only allow on-screen keyboard or SSH access.

You're right it's quite possible to do so, I meant more that it would be completely impossible as far as I know for Valve to do it in a way that could not be undone by any Linux user with basic knowledge.

[Darzai]

Chryseus の投稿を引用：

svet-am の投稿を引用：

@Chyrseus "I can see you've never used Linux, it's literally impossible to do so.." Would you really like to see my commits in the Linux kernel? You can _absolutely_ disable specific drivers in the kernel. I do it all the time. I could _easily_ disable USB keyboard/mouse support in the kernel and only allow on-screen keyboard or SSH access.

You're right it's quite possible to do so, I meant more that it would be completely impossible as far as I know for Valve to do it in a way that could not be undone by any Linux user with basic knowledge.

Not the way it is designed now. The Steam client is closed source. And if they were using proprietary binary blobs for bios and hardware like we see on smartphones, it could've been a closed system like Android smartphones are. Android uses a linux kernel and is open source, but android smartphones are still closed systems.

[Briggs]

svet-am の投稿を引用：

I pre-ordered the 512GB Deck. I'm really hoping that Valve is pretty transparent about the build and hardware of this device like they have been in the past. At a minimum I want to try to hack Android on to (just to say I did) and to put Windows on it (just to say I did but I might leave it if it helps game compatibility). I'm also planning to hack on the battery because the battery life they are listing right now isn't super great.

Anyone else excited just for the hacking possibilities?

The hardware isn't locked down. You can do whatever you want.

As for being excited about it, yeah, I kind of am. Depending on how well SteamOS works as a desktop OS I may or may not install Arch Linux on it... but since it's already running a branch of Arch, that seems silly.