Ubuntu 17.10.1 on Optimus VIII 17"

posuk13

Member
Hi,

I am trying to install latest Ubuntu (17.10.1) on my new Optimus VIII. But with no lock. I have tried both UEFI and standard install and also try either install straight away or go to Try first and install from there. The further I can get is to LogIn screen. Once I click the logIn the screen turns the purple and blank and nothing else happens. I have tried to reinstall it several times with no luck. Any ideas how to solve this? These are my specs:


Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD IPS LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor 7700HQ (2.8GHz, 3.8GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti - 4.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Hard Disk
NOT REQUIRED
M.2 SSD Drive
256GB SAMSUNG PM961 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2800MB/R, 1100MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 120W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf European Power Cable
Thermal Paste
EK-TIM ECTOTHERM THERMAL COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema 3
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8265 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11AC) +BT 4.0
USB Options
1 x USB 3.0 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Battery
Cosmos VI Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Keyboard Language
SINGLE COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
 

Mnemonic

Bronze Level Poster
Here's some things to try:

When installing, set the "nomodeset" kernel parameter. This can be done by pressing the "e" key when you see the installation's GRUB menu, and then adding "nomodeset" (without the quotes) just after "quiet splash", and then pressing F10 to continue the installation.

Since you've already installed and have a login screen, it looks like the issue is GPU driver related. If you can avoid the GUI login screen and get to a console (by pressing ALT+CTRL+F1 together), I would try:

  • Pressing ALT+CTRL+F1 immediately when you see the login screen (to bring up a terminal).
  • Make sure you have Internet (if no wifi, connect a cable).
  • Run: sudo apt-add-repository ppa:graphics-drivers
  • Run: sudo apt update
  • Run: sudo apt install nvidia-390
  • Run: sudo reboot (and see if you can then log in via the login screen)

If this doesn't work and you're Optimus VIII is still freezing like it was before:

  • Press ALT+CTRL+F1 immediately when you see the login screen (to bring up a terminal).
  • Use the "vi" or "nano" text editor to edit: /etc/default/grub (if you don't know how to use either of these, Google it).
  • Add the following to the end of the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line: acpi_osi="!Windows 2015"
  • Save the file and exit the text editor.
  • Run: sudo update-grub
  • Run: sudo reboot

Just to clarify, you're GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT should look something like this:

Code:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_osi=\"!Windows 2015\" acpi=force"

If still no luck, try switching between the Nvidia GPU and Intel GPU:

  • Press ALT+CTRL+F1 immediately when you see the login screen (to bring up a terminal).
  • Run: sudo prime-select intel
  • Run: sudo reboot
  • Did it work? If not, try the Nvidia GPU:
  • Press ALT+CTRL+F1 immediately when you see the login screen (to bring up a terminal).
  • Run: sudo prime-select nvidia
  • RUn: sudo reboot

Still no luck? Try installing the latest kernel:


If you cannot get to a console/terminal (using ALT+CTRL+F1), then I'd go for a re-installation using the nomodeset param as mentioned above.

Good luck!

EDIT:

The URLs in the kernel download steps were truncated and turned in to clickable links. To download the latest kernel:

Code:
$ wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.15-rc9/linux-headers-4.15.0-041500rc9_4.15.0-041500rc9.201801212130_all.deb
$ wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.15-rc9/linux-headers-4.15.0-041500rc9-generic_4.15.0-041500rc9.201801212130_amd64.deb
$ wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.15-rc9/linux-image-4.15.0-041500rc9-generic_4.15.0-041500rc9.201801212130_amd64.deb

(without the "$", of course - that's just indicating the "prompt")

Also, I'd stick with a UEFI install, and just turn off "Secure Boot".
 
Last edited:

Stephen M

Author Level
All good info above, plus if you have similar problems to me you may also get a log in loop if the wrong drivers installed. Do as above to go to the terminal and purge the nvidia drivers, forcing use of the default Ubuntu ones. You should log in OK after this, then download the latest drivers, they should be here: https://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

Unfortunately the next step for me was trial and error, picking each driver until I found one that worked.

Hope it does not go that far and Mnemonic's handy info worked.
 

posuk13

Member
Thanks guys a lot for help. I was eventually able to fix the problem following this thread on askubuntu:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/841876/how-to-disable-nouveau-kernel-driver

and then following these 2 comments on other thread:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/968365/ubuntu-17-10-nvidia-drivers-black-screen-loop/969382#969382
and then
https://askubuntu.com/questions/968365/ubuntu-17-10-nvidia-drivers-black-screen-loop/968679#968679

But it seams to me they are very similar to your answers.

I have following line in my grub file:

Code:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nvidia-drm.modeset="

But it seams like there is something missing. If I remember it correctly, I entered something like
Code:
..nvidia-drm.modeset=0
or 1. So I am not sure if is this correct.

Anyway, the Ubuntu now works including the nVidia so I am happy. Ther is just some error showed when turning of the PC. I am not able to read it because it is visible just for a fraction of second, but once I will fully setup my system, I will probably have a look on that as well.

THANKS AGAIN GUYS.
 
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