Stuff that I have done to to have a nice running ubuntu 16.04 on my Dell laptop without the hassle of some strange behaviors.

ubuntu_install_notes.md

Ubuntu 16.04 on Dell inspiron 15 7000 gaming

Ubuntu installation

1. download Ubuntu system .iso file.
2. prepare a usb key (better usb3 for speed, will be formatted but the storage space can be easily recovered)
3. use rufus to unpack the iso file to the usb key
4. branch the usb key to the computer
5. restart, then press F12,
6. turn off the secure boot option
7. choose the booting option corresponding to the usb key.
8. choose 'try without installing ubuntu'
9. test the sound and the wifi: normally they should work
10. double click on 'install ubuntu'
    • you can choose to install update and 3rd party component: wait patiently
    • if you want to keep the win10 os. Choose custom installation option.
    • put grub (linux efi boot) in the same partition as windows efi boot
    • ideally make 3 partitions: one for / (30 GB or bigger), one for swap area (size of RAM) one for /home (the rest)

install missing Intel Kabylake firmware

go to https://01.org/linuxgraphics/downloads/firmware and download and install the 3 corresponding firmwares. Then reboot.

remove the unwanted jack retasking

Normally we only use headphone. It is annoying to choose it everytime we branch our headphone. To remove this:

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

in the file, add line: blacklist snd_hda_codec_realtek

see https://askubuntu.com/questions/628635/dell-inspiron-13-laptop-speaker-constant-hiss/629003

install cuda 8.0 (and driver version 375.xx) for nvidia GPU

goto https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-downloads and follow the instructions.

switch between intel gpu and nvidia gpu

Search the program NVIDIA X Server Settings, open it and choose 'PRIME Profiles'. then switch between the 2 gpus. logout and re-enter.

install language support and keyboard/IME for chinese and other languages

open 'system settings > language support' choose to install support.

install rime IME sudo apt-get install ibus-rime

logout + re-enter, then goto 'system settings > text entry' add keyboard chinese(rime)(ibus)

additionally you can add English(international AltGr dead keys) to type German, French etc.

to switch to simplified chinese, choose rime IME, press ctrl + ~ then choose 明月拼音-簡體字

libEGL.so.1 is not a symbolic link problem

sudo mv /usr/lib/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1 /usr/lib/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1.org

sudo mv /usr/lib32/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1 /usr/lib32/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1.org

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.375.XX /usr/lib/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1

sudo ln -s /usr/lib32/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.375.XX /usr/lib32/nvidia-375/libEGL.so.1

see https://askubuntu.com/questions/900285/libegl-so-1-is-not-a-symbolic-link#900714

install redshift to filter blue light

sudo apt install redshift-gtk

see https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/filter-blue-light-on-linux-redshift/

Noted that it will not work without proper internet connection to obtain localization unless you specify a manual coordinate as follows:

• use http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html for example to get the longitude and the latitude of your place
• create the config file in ~/.config/redshift.config
• open the file and add the following lines:

[redshift]
location-provider=manual
[manual]
lat=<your-latitude>
lon=<your-longitude>

If you mainly stay at fixed places it might be worthwhile to switch to manual mode so that it works also offline.

if not using SSD drive, switch the Disk I/O Scheduler to ‘CFQ’

Why? See "System Responsiveness" section of this review

How? See https://www.hecticgeek.com/2014/10/change-disk-i-0-scheduler-cfq-ubuntu-14-10/

power management and hardware monitoring

TLP for power management

install: sudo apt-get install tlp tlp-rdw

start: sudo tlp start

additional read: https://askubuntu.com/questions/285434/is-there-a-power-saving-application-similar-to-jupiter

powertop for intel hardwares power monitor

install: sudo apt-get install powertop

calibrate: (use only battery, temporary blackout / disconnection expected) sudo powertop --calibrate

attention: sudo powertop --auto-tune is not useful when TLP is already running. See http://linrunner.de/en/tlp/docs/tlp-faq.html#powertop

psensor for monitoring hardware status

install dependencies: sudo apt-get install lm-sensors hddtemp

detect sensors: run sudo sensors-detect then press Enter till the end.

install psensor: sudo apt-get install psensor

open psensor, then configure as needed. (auto start, show temperature/usage in label, draw graphs etc.)

see https://itsfoss.com/check-laptop-cpu-temperature-ubuntu/ for guide on configuration.

alternatively, just run sensors to get hardware status in console.

Additional read: https://itsfoss.com/reduce-overheating-laptops-linux/

fix missing startup splash screen problem

run in terminal:

sudo apt-get install v86d

sudo -H gedit /etc/default/grub

in the file, search for line

#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480

and change it to

GRUB_GFXMODE=1920x1080

GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep

save the file, then run in terminal:

echo FRAMEBUFFER=y | sudo tee /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash

sudo update-initramfs -u

sudo update-grub

see https://askubuntu.com/questions/362722/how-to-fix-plymouth-splash-screen-in-all-ubuntu-releases

freeze the version of a package

create a file /etc/apt/preferences.d/<package_name>

in the file put the following content:

Package: <package_name>

Pin: version <version_number>

Pin-Priority: 1000

See https://askubuntu.com/a/35565

disable touchpad while typing

syndaemon -i 1.0 -d -K is not working somehow ...

Installing touchpad indicator can solve the issue:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/atareao

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install touchpad-indicator

then open its preferences, in tab "Actions" choose "Disable touchpad on typing" and set appropriate values, then in tab "General Options" select "Autostart".