Setting up a MSI laptop with GPU (gtx1060), Installing Ubuntu 18.04, CUDA, CDNN, Pytorch and TensorFlow

msi-gtx1060-ubuntu-18.04-deeplearning.md

Setting up a MSI laptop with GPU (gtx1060)

Installing Ubuntu 18.04, CUDA, CDNN, Pytorch and TensorFlow

Installing Ubuntu 18.04

Get Image

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu#0

Install (solving issues)

• Security boot disable (change this in BIOS, for MSI computers reboot system and press delete a couple of times before the OS is loaded)
• Possible problem: Screen freezing while installing
  • Reboot system
  • Go to the Install Ubuntu option (BUT DONT PRESS ENTER)
  • Press e
  • Find the line that starts with linux then add modprobe.blacklist=nouveau after quiet splash.
• Choose a Wifi Network and install third party software and updates
• Once the installation is done, remove the pendrive and reboot system

Installing Nvidia Drivers

• Select Ubuntu at GRUB (you may need to repeat the modprobe.blacklist=nouveau step if the screen freezes again).
• Make sure security boot is disable
• Access command line (ctrl+alt+ F1,F2,F3...F??)

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
  sudo apt update
  # You can change this driver to whatever version suits you best :)
  sudo apt install nvidia-driver-396
  sudo reboot
  

Installing Conda

https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/linux

Installing CUDA 9.0 and CUDNN 7.0

https://medium.com/@taylordenouden/installing-tensorflow-gpu-on-ubuntu-18-04-89a142325138

Installing Pytorch 0.4

create conda env

conda create -n torch python=3.6

install torch (cuda 9)

conda install -y pytorch=0.4 torchvision cuda90 -c pytorch

if cuda 9 fails, install this way using cuda 8

conda install -y pytorch=0.4 torchvision -c pytorch conda install cuda80 -c soumith

test gpu install

python -c 'import torch; print(torch.rand(2,3).cuda())'

Installing TensorFlow (1.8)

https://www.tensorflow.org/install/install_linux#installing_with_anaconda

REMEMBER

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$LD_LIBRARY_PATH:/usr/local/cuda/lib64

test gpu install

python -c 'from tensorflow.python.client import device_lib; device_lib.list_local_devices()'

output:

2018-06-11 11:32:18.954198: I tensorflow/core/common_runtime/gpu/gpu_device.cc:1053] Created TensorFlow device (/device:GPU:0 with ...)

Getting my battery to last for longer

1. Open the app "Nvidia X Server Settings"
2. Go to "PRIME profiles" and select the Intel (Power Saving Mode).
3. Then restart or log out your user session and log in again.

This way you'll be using the Intel integrated graphics card and the battery will last way more. To use the Nvidia GPU, just repeat the process above but choose Nvidia (Performance Mode).

In a MSI Gs65 Stealth, with nvidia 1060GTX it lasts about 8h with the Intel GPU enabled. It's a minor issue while not using the nvidia graphics cards.

Hi,
Thank you for the post. I was struggling to get linux working on my msi laptop.
Have you tried getting optimus technology work on msi in ubuntu? since after following your post, the graphic card is all the time loaded(as implied by power button remaining orange) unlike windows where it gets powered up or woken up only when needed.

Thanks again for such helpful post. saved me days.

Hello, thanks for your post. It was pretty helpful

Hi,
Thank you for the post. I was struggling to get linux working on my msi laptop.
Have you tried getting optimus technology work on msi in ubuntu? since after following your post, the graphic card is all the time loaded(as implied by power button remaining orange) unlike windows where it gets powered up or woken up only when needed.

Thanks again for such helpful post. saved me days.

Hi @gccoder, indeed... I haven't tried but I think it would be very helpful, using the graphic card all the time drains the battery way too fast. If you find a solution I would love to update this gist file with instructions of how to do so.

Cheers!

Hi,
I'm planning to buy a P65 RE and then replacing windows with ubuntu. I need to have ubuntu installed, if I couldn't install it on MSI I would buy a Dell XPS 9570.
Reading your post I see that ubuntu run on MSI (thank you for posting). Can you also confirm that nvidia drivers make graphic card working fine at its full capabilities? Did someone maybe solve the problem with all-the-time loaded graphic card?
Also is everything fine with webcam, function keys, anything else?
Cheers!

Thanks! I very happy that found this tutorial. My Ubuntu works fine on MSI GL63 8RC. Thanks again

Thank a lot. Amazing !
Ubuntu work on my MSI GL62 7RD

Thanks for the guide. This also works on Lenovo Legion Series :)

Thanks for the guide. If on restart ubuntu is not detecting run this on grub

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi

Thank you very much! it saved my time. it worked on GS63vr. thanks again

Thanks! Ubuntu installation was freezing on my XMG laptop with GTX 1050 Ti, but with your guide I managed to get it running.

Thank, it is helpful for me!!!

A wonderful help. I add my thanks to those of many above :)

Does this work on all MSI laptops?
Any one tried with MSI-GP63-GTX1070(NEWEGG special editions laptop)?

I have the aboue mentioned laptop. I want to run Ubuntu on my HDD not SSD. Is it the same process?

MSI ought to be paying you - great instructions: concise, clear, and accurate. My new laptop (G65 creator) is now making me smile instead of giving me headaches. Thanks so much.

Worked for my msi gs65. Thanks a lot. :)

Hi,
i have MSI GL 63 8RE can i go with above guide for ML setup ?

I haven't been able to use the function keys neither the webcam, has someone found any solution/drivers to this problem? thanks for the gist!

Hi, how did you do to disable security boot? Mine is active and even after adding a bios password it still doesn´t let me disable it. Thanks

Thank you for that guide!
Works like a charm on MSI GT63 Titan 8RF.

About battery drain, someone commented a few days ago (I think the comment was removed):

I have a bit another solution.
I repeated a modprobe.blacklist=nouveau step to boot ubuntu after installation.
After that in "About system" menu i saw that it uses intel hd graphics driver for graphics.
So i consider to do not install proprietary nvidia graphics driver which will drain battery.
I installed grub customiser and edited ubuntu script: i added there a modprobe.blacklist=nouveau so changes became permanent. This way and it will every time will boot with disabled nouveau and use intel hd driver instead

If someone could try that and verify I would be happy to update the tutorial to avoid battery drain :)

About the battery drain, it's pretty easy. Open the app "Nvidia X Server Settings", go to "PRIME profiles" and select the Intel GPU. Then restart or log out your user session and log in again. This way you'll be using the Intel integrated graphics card and the battery will last way more.

In a MSI Gs65 Stealth, with nvidia 1060GTX it lasts about 8h with the Intel GPU enabled. It's a minor issue while not using the nvidia graphics cards. If you want to play video games, this graphics card is still suitable for many of them. But obviously it's best to switch back to the nvidia one for more exigent games.

Thanks @carlos-mg89, I've just added these instructions to the tutorial!

HI guys,
Thanks for this wonderful post which really helps to get setup quickly.
Any of you guys encounter CPU peek every 10 seconds making screen freeze for about 1 or 2 seconds? It does not occur every time I boot the computer, it is totally random. I'd like to know if it only happens to me.
Thanks!

Thanks a lot for this guide :) My P65-creator thanks you!

Would this work on the GL62 6QF? nvidia 960M?

I have msi gs 63 7rd. When I use any type of linux distro the fan doesn't run. I tried using fan control using pwn config but this method doesnt work.
Has anyone tried and succeeded in this??

Thank you so much for this. Was having trouble booting a couple of MSI laptops at work.
When I was turning them off they seemed to freeze with full desktop on and still running with no mouse or commands possible. Have anyone else encountered similar issues, and if so how did you fix it? (GTX 1070, MSI GS63)

wow it's work for me
Thank you so much

That a veryyyyy useful.
Thank you.
love love

Hey op, I am facing the problem
Error :retrieving gpg key timed out. Please help.

It might help @PaulisMatrix
https://www.mvps.net/docs/install-nvidia-drivers-ubuntu-18-04-lts-bionic-beaver-linux/

@Ic3Sandy. Nope still not working. Still the same error.

@PaulisMatrix I had to disable secure boot first in the BIOS and then this way https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UEFI/SecureBoot/DKMS in Method 2 to get it to work. Apparently just disabling in the BIOS did not disable dkms from not allowing the driver to load. I did not re-enable in the last step. Works now.

Note if you use Method 1, you will have to re-enroll the key every time you update the kernel modules or drivers. Otherwise you’ll get the blank screen at boot and have to use command line or nouveau to redo

Thanks, I'm going to use it rigth NOW.
Only a little thing:
I use powertop app to let battery last loooooonger. Seriously, give it a chance if you haven't already try it. Is very easy to use.