I am new to Linux. I just got my hands on an old server machine with Internet to set up a media server and installed a fresh version of Ubuntu. Ultimately, I hope to use it as a headless unit but as I am a newbie, I put the GUI version on. I am having an issue getting it to display at all.
On boot, the output just stops. I can fix it by adding nomodeset to the boot script. I updated the Intel graphics driver’s per the instructions on Intel’s site. I am not sure where to go next. Any advice for troubleshooting? The onboard graphics is intel corporation hd graphics 530 rev 06.
The drivers should be built into the kernel already if you’re using onboard Intel graphics.
The system might be loading the wrong driver module for its chipset—unlikely, but possible. The correct driver for your chipset should be i915. You can check by running
lspci -vand finding theKernel driver in useline for your video card. (There may be other ways of checking as well.)Personally, if this computer will normally be operating in headless mode, I’d just ignore this altogether, disconnect the monitor, and administer it via SSH from a machine not having these issues.
Very odd. The drivers are built into the kernel.
Did you try to install the drivers right away? You shouldn’t have to.
Edit: perhaps this thread is helpful.
I didn’t install right away. Actually, my fist attempt to install Ubuntu failed because of the same issue. I had to retry with the graphics safe install and then it worked. When rebooting, I got to the prompt that said , “remove installation hardware and press enter to continue” I did this and the screen went blank.
I restarted with the “nomodeset” edit to the boot script and set up ssh access. That’s when I tried to update the drivers. After the update there was still no video output. I suspect it’s not a driver issue but I am new to Linux and do not know how to proceed with troubleshooting.
Did you try to disable the load legacy rom option from that thread?
No. I didn’t see this. I’ll take a look.
Intel graphics should work without you doing anything, as the driver is built into the Linux kernel itself…
Your card might be one of the ones that need nomodeset parameter, as per nomodeset documentation:
Unfortunately, on some cards this doesnt work properly and you end up with a black screen. Adding the nomodeset parameter instructs the kernel to not load video drivers and use BIOS modes instead until X is loaded.
Just add the parameter permanently to the config and you should be good.
Also don’t install random things from the internet, not even from Intel, that’s not the proper way of doing things in Linux and it sounds as absurd as someone telling you they downloaded a game APK from a site to install on their phones. Yes, obviously there are cases where that is needed, but you should always prefer the package manager just like you use the play store on your phone.
Maybe this guide can help https://www.linuxfordevices.com/tutorials/ubuntu/install-intel-graphic-drivers
I feel like half the posts in this community are people trying to figure out how to do something and the other half are saying Linux is perfect and always just works. Is this the difference between someone that has used Linux for a long time vs. not?
It’s mostly the difference between people not assuming Linux works the same way as Windows, and those that do.
The OP here seems to fall in the latter camp, since they tried downloading and installing a driver from a website which is something you have to do on Windows, but basically never on Linux (and it is a really bad idea security wise regardless of the OS).
