Why doesn't Ubuntu work on my 2011 iMac?

Question

I have a 2011 iMac that I wanted to use with Ubuntu. When booting the installer from a USB/SD card, it would always crash on the normal installer. Screen just went black. So I tried the "Safe Graphics" mode or whatever it was called.

Installation went great. Detected my WiFi, etc.

Now that installation is complete, the computer won't boot. I only get a black screen. Not sure why the "safe mode" worked and not the normal mode. And, I tried holding down the left shift to boot into safe mode again but nothing but black screen.

Any idea what I can do? I'm using the newest version of Ubuntu, btw.

Thanks.

UPDATE

I booted into the installer again but this time, I choose Try Ubuntu. Also, I have to select "safe graphics". But everything works as long as I use Safe Graphics. How can I always use this mode?

Are you able to boot into your bios, or is the screen black at post? — guttermonk, Jul 13 '20 at 01:25
Have you looked here? That should get you sorted and explain what's going on. It's nomodeset that you're looking for. — KGIII, Jul 13 '20 at 03:18
Yep, I found that. Then later I found a post that helped me out (see my answer). It's working now. Thanks. — cbmeeks, Jul 13 '20 at 03:29

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 13 '20 at 03:18

0

I figured it out with Christian's answer here: https://askubuntu.com/a/941322/144825

Basically, I had to boot off the Live CD and mount the installed Linux. Then, update the Grub config with nomodeset, etc.

answered Jul 13 '20 at 03:18

cbmeeks

101

Why doesn't Ubuntu work on my 2011 iMac?

1 Answers1