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Install Ubuntu on a Windows Laptop with NVIDIA

Follow the official installation guide: https://documentation.ubuntu.com/desktop/en/latest/tutorial/install-ubuntu-desktop

If the laptop does not boot the Ubuntu USB installer, set the BIOS boot priority to USB HDD.

Installation may hard-freeze. Try, in order:

  • Normal reboot: Ctrl + Alt + Del
  • Safe reboot (REISUB): hold Alt + SysRq (PrtSc), then type slowly: R E I S U B
  • Power-off sequence (REISUO): hold Alt + SysRq (PrtSc), then type slowly: R E I S U O
  • Last resort: hold the power button for 10 seconds

If freezes keep happening, adjust BIOS settings. Enter BIOS at startup (often Enter then F1, but varies by model; watch the brief on-screen prompt).

  • Startup/Boot Order Lock: Off
  • Startup/Boot priority: USB HDD
  • Security/Secure Boot/Secure Boot: Off
  • Security/Secure Boot/Allow Microsoft 3rd party UEFI CA: Off

Install Ubuntu from the USB drive. During install:

  • Do not install third-party software
  • Do not download updates during install

If the installer freezes or you get a black screen, boot with nomodeset: In GRUB press e and add nomodeset after quiet splash to the Linux line. If you do not see GRUB, hold Shift or tap Esc during startup.

After install, install the latest tested NVIDIA driver (open, not server). Example: nvidia-driver-590-open (proprietary, tested)

Hardware tested example

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G3 U9 RTXP3000 64GB/1TB
Display size: 40.6 cm (16.0")
Physical resolution: 1920 x 1200 WUXGA
Processor model: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 2.7 GHz
RAM: 64 GB
Graphics: 12 GB NVIDIA RTX PRO 3000 Blackwell, Intel Graphics

Shortcuts

  • GRUB: ofteen hold Shift or tap Esc during startup
  • Startup menu: often F12
  • BIOS setup: often Enter then F1
  • TTY: often Ctrl + Alt + (Fn +) F3, return with Ctrl + Alt + (Fn +) F1.

BIOS issue: Intel RST/VMD

The official guide notes that Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) is not supported and can block installation.

In BIOS, check Config/Storage. If you see VMD Controller (On/Off) or an Intel Rapid Storage Technology page, your system supports RST/VMD. If VMD/RST is On, turn it Off.

GRUB change for flickering screen

Temporary edit:

  • Tap Esc (or hold Shift) to reach GRUB
  • If you land in a grub prompt, type normal and press Enter
  • Press e and add i915.enable_psr=0 after quiet splash to the Linux line, then boot

Permanent edit:

sudo vi /etc/default/grub
sudo update-grub

Set:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i915.enable_psr=0" # disable Intel PSR to reduce flicker

Optional, to always show GRUB:

GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=menu
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5

Useful commands

# Secure Boot state
mokutil --sb-state

# GPU mode
sudo prime-select query

# Current kernel boot params
cat /proc/cmdline

# GRUB config
cat /etc/default/grub

# NVIDIA sanity check
nvidia-smi

Note about update-grub warning (os-prober)

If you see: Warning: os-prober will not be executed... This is normal. It matters only if you want GRUB to auto-detect other OS installs (dual boot).

Definitions

  • GRUB: boot menu and loader that starts Ubuntu and can show OS choices
  • BIOS/UEFI: firmware settings for boot order, Secure Boot, storage mode (RST/VMD), etc.
  • TTY: text console for recovery when graphics fails
  • PSR (Panel Self Refresh): Intel display power-saving feature; disabling can fix flicker

Post-install setup for a new computer

After Ubuntu is installed and working, set up the essentials for daily use.

  • Development: SSH key settings for github and clusters (e.g. fnwi, snellius), git, vscode, miniconda
  • Connection: VPN (Ivanti)
  • Usuful softwares: flameshot, QGIS, dbevear
  • vscode: python, remote-ssh

Useful troubleshooting commands

Run these commands to collect system information when diagnosing boot, graphics, driver, or Secure Boot issues.

echo "=== KERNEL ==="
uname -r

echo
echo "=== PCI DEVICES ==="
sudo lspci -nnk | grep -A4 -E 'VGA|3D|Display'

echo
echo "=== NVIDIA / NOUVEAU MODULES ==="
lsmod | grep -E '^nvidia|^nouveau'

echo
echo "=== INTEL MODULES ==="
lsmod | grep -E '^i915|^xe'

echo
echo "=== NVIDIA MODINFO ==="
modinfo nvidia | grep -E '^(filename|version):'

echo
echo "=== DKMS STATUS ==="
dkms status

echo
echo "=== SECURE BOOT ==="
mokutil --sb-state

echo
echo "=== NVIDIA PACKAGES ==="
dpkg -l | grep -E 'nvidia|libnvidia|cuda'

echo
echo "=== OEM PACKAGE ==="
dpkg -l | grep -i oem
apt policy oem-sutton-datu-meta

echo
echo "=== RECENT DMESG NVIDIA/INTEL ==="
sudo dmesg -T | grep -iE 'nvidia|nouveau|i915|xe' | tail -n 200