Surface Pro 1, press any key

[geniusled]

Hello, i have recently attempted to convert a surface pro 1st gen to linux mint cinnamon.
while following the instructions for install on ubuntu i installed secureboot-mok and did a restart and expected to type the password "surface" on the prompt.
i was presented with the screen "press any key" with a timeout from secureboot-mok. i typed on the attached keyboard and no keys were detected. i tried connecting a usb keyboard (after remove-reinstall) and the same happened.

the keyboards do work with the UEFI menu.
are there any special considerations needed for the surface pro 1st gen?

[AKISProtogen]

I'm gonna bump this, as i own a surface pro 1 running Debian 13.
I have done as OP tried, on multiple attempts even, and nothing is working.

I wonder as well if there are any special considerations to the 1st gen Surface pro, or if it's just not possible in the first place.

With best regards.
-AKIS