Graphics problems on Dell Precision M4800 install

[Eero Aaltonen]

Attempted Ubuntu installation from DVD, version 14.04.1 on a laptop
"Dell Precision M4800".

Two scenarios: I and II.

I ) Laptop only. Installation DVD boots but screen remains blank.

II) Second monitor connected on Displayport. Behaviour is then:

1. Bootup animation appears on second monitor
2. Login screen appears on laptop monitor ( IIRC )
2.a ) Login as ubuntu user -> Graphical installer goes to reboot loop
2.b) Press CTRL + ALT + F1 -> Brings up command line

Two observations:
1. Obviously installer behaviour still needs tweaking on this hardware
2. I could maybe proceed with the install using the command line. I followed instructions in
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia#Installation_without_X_.2BAC8_from_the_console

and installed nvidia-drivers with
$ sudo apt-get install nvidia-331

Did not yet get a functioning graphical installation environment. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Eero Aaltonen (ejn)]

I found a question in Ask Ubuntu
http://askubuntu.com/q/202925/62612

which provided the information I needed. These problems are apparently caused by the Ubuntu drivers not being compatible with NVIDIA® Optimus™.

Disabling "Switchable graphics" (Optimus) in the BIOS gets rid of symptoms in the installer. With Optimus disabled, I was able to complete the installation.

[Marius B. Kotsbak (mariusko)]

I needed to add the "nomodeset=1" option to the kernel. Did you solve the problem?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for xorg (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]