Ubuntu – Can I install Ubuntu/Lubuntu on a pc with a video card that is not supported if I add `nomodeset` in using the live cd/usb

bootdriversgpuinstallationsyslinux

I have a computer with a video card that has no Linux support. I discovered this issue while trying to use a persistent usb to boot from.

I found that I can boot like that if I change options and edit so as to add nomodeset there (see question and answer).

Also, editing the syslinux.cfg file from my live persistent USB and adding nomodeset in a line there made this setting automatic for booting from the persistent USB.

Can I make a similar edit for proper install from the same live USB?

Is it possible to edit something on the live USB in order to install the SO from it, — that is: having automatically the nomodeset setting already there when the installation starts?

My problem is that in order to install I think I already have to have added nomodeset or I'll see nothing on my display. I need a way to be sure that nomodeset it's permanent from the start.

Best Answer

Yes, absolutely you can make it work with a full install. To make the change permanent in your installed Ubuntu you will need to edit the grub configuration file and add the nomodeset option so that it loads each time Ubuntu boots. It's more complicated to set it to install this way automatically, and it's probably not normally desirable to do so. If you want an easy way to do this I suggest you edit the config file as per the following instructions and simply copy this file to the correct location during installation.

To add nomodeset to the grub config do the following

1) Press CtrlAltF1 to open the console

2) Log in to the console using the username and password you entered during the install

3) Start editing the /etc/default/grub file with

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

4) Find the line that reads:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

and change it to read:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nomodeset"

5) To save the file press Ctrlo then exit the editor with Ctrlx

6) You'll need to update grub with the new default config

 sudo update-grub

7) Reboot and marvel at your wonderful new Ubuntu system!

sudo reboot

Optional:

If you want to change the grub configuration during the install before it completes, the file you will need to change will be /target/etc/default/grub because that is where the root filesystem is mounted during installation. As long as you do this before grub is configured then it will be affective from the first boot of the new installation.

References

Ubuntu Forums

Ubuntu Wiki

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