Problem Installing Ubuntu on Lenovo Ideapad U330p

Question

I cannot get Ubuntu 13.10 64-bit ISO installed on a Lenovo Ideapad U330p (i5 core, SSD) preinstalled with Windows 8, by using a Ubuntu USB live stick.

• I tried various live usb creators (the build-in one crashes, but the rest Live USB Creator, mkusb script, etc work ok).
• I tried also with various UEFI / Secure boot options in bios (no secure boot, no uefi = legacy), with no luck.
• I tried also with EFI, and without the EFI folder on the USB and legacy bios install, no luck.

The most I can achieve is to get the Ubuntu live usb first screen with the Ubuntu options shown, but then with any option I choose (Try, or Install) after a few seconds I am left with a black screen, and nothing happens, no matter how much I wait. I have then to power off the machine.

I am not sure this is related to UEFI, but it does not seem like.

Does anyone has any experience with this type of machine - Lenovo Ideapad U330p?

Preferably, I would like to get rid of the preinstalled copy of Windows 8 completely and install only Ubuntu there (I do not want a dual-boot system, but I can live with dual-boot system if than is the only way). Any install mode (legacy or UEFI, MBR / GDI) will do.

Update: Some details (I have read all relevant ubuntu/uefi related links here, and in ubuntu wiki):

• I disabled win8 fast boot and hibernate
• I have disabled secure boot
• I tested with uefi and also with disabled uefi (legacy)
• I tried with Ubuntu usb with EFI folder, and renamed EFI folder
• I tried with various programs to create the Ubuntu USB

With some of these combinations it does not work, but with UEFI and secure boot disabled - I see the grub-like menu, and without UEFI at all I see the boot screen with options. However, no matter what option I choose, it freezes (screen becomes black after one second or so after that), and only the power off button works. Some people say this is graphics driver issue (for other models) - but would be nice to know if someone has any experience with my model.

Some of the links I read:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI Installing Ubuntu Alongside a Pre-Installed Windows with UEFI http://elabualg.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/dual-boot-ubuntu-and-windows-8-uefi/ https://askubuntu.com/questions/260793/uefi-boot-results-in-a-black-screen Dual boot problem, black screen during the ubuntu boot UEFI 13.04 install on Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p boots Windows instead

Solution

Solved:

Thank you all for your suggestions, after reading some more similar reports, it turns out it was simpler than I thought. After selecting the Try or Install, the screen brightness was set to 0. So I could see only pure black. Using the laptop brightness keys worked and the live Ubuntu is working fully ok. A bit stupid, but the screen was so black, I did not to came to the idea of using the brightness buttons (one has to press it two-three times before one can see the light on the screen).

To answer some of the questions:

• For the usb, I tried Unetbootin, usb-creator-gtk (crashed), Live USB Creator, and mkusb script from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2172971 on Ubuntu. The current usb I used for the last test is the one created with mkusb script. May be the others have worked too, but I could not tell.

• I disabled secure boot in bios, and I changed the boot menu order in bios. In U330p bios can be reached via the small nova button - I am using a small screwdriver to press it.

• After Try Ubuntu without installing from the grub, one has to use laptop brightness key to see the screen.

So I will install Ubuntu next :), thanks for all the help.

Comments

[Avinash Raj]

i'm using lenovo z500 laptop,change UEFI to legacy in bios,then boot from live-usb.It will works.

[Avinash Raj]

did you select usb from the boot menu in bios?Which software did you used to create live-usb?

[user68186]

See askubuntu.com/questions/162075/… as well.

[ppp]

Thanks, I tried it with secure boot disabled without any success. The Ubuntu grub-like screen does come and you can select entries (Try or Install), but after that the screen becomes blank.

[ppp]

I mean the screen becomes black. It does not respond to any key press (esc, etc). Only power down works.

[virtualxtc]

Oh, just to be clear, you are booting off the usb stick, and haven't yet preformed an install correct? If so, try the steps outlined in my updated answer.