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How to Install Ubuntu Linux on your Dell Computer

Summary: This article provides information about how to carry out a clean installation of the Ubuntu Linux operating system on your Dell Computer.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Table of Contents:

  1. You want to Install Ubuntu on your Dell Computer?
  2. Things to know and check before you start an install
  3. Set up the Ubuntu Install
  4. Install Ubuntu on your computer
  5. Configuring the Ubuntu install
  6. Install complete

You want to Install Ubuntu on your Dell Computer?

You want to install Ubuntu on your Dell computer? There are a few things that you must decide, and obtain, before you proceed with the guide below.

Note: If you install an operating system other than the original that shipped with your computer, then you do so at your own risk. Dell cannot certify that the hardware's compatibility, and we may not be able to support the computer in that configuration.

Dell does not supply most drivers for Ubuntu as all the required drivers are bundled into the operating system install media. That is why we recommend you verify that your computer is compatible with the installation version from Canonical.

Have you checked whether Canonical has certified your computer type for Ubuntu?

  • If not, then go to the Canonical site This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies. and check if Canonical has tested and supports your model.

  • If you have verified that your computer is supported, go to the next step.

Note: Did your computer ship with Ubuntu? If not and you have an issue that requires Technical Support Assistance, you may be asked to restore your computer to default state. (including the operating system.) If that does not resolve the issue, then there would be limited support possible at that point.

Do you have a copy of the latest DVD or USB installation media from Canonical? These include the latest updates and fixes for this operating system.

You can download the appropriate Ubuntu ISO from: Canonical This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

If you purchased your computer from Dell with Ubuntu already installed, there are recovery images on your computer. For more information, see the Dell Knowledge Base article: How to recover a Dell Ubuntu Image on your Dell Computer

Things to know and check before you start an install

There are three things to consider before you start installing Ubuntu:

  1. What type of hardware are you are trying to install to?

  2. Do your BIOS settings affect your installation?

  3. What version of Ubuntu you are looking to install?

What type of hardware are you installing to, and does that affect your installation?

The type or format of your storage media can affect how you go about installing Ubuntu on your computer. It matters whether you are installing on:

  • A new M2 card
  • A standard Serial AT Attachment (SATA) hard drive
  • Those same SATA hard drives setup in an Intel Matrix Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) configuration
Check that your computer's hardware allows you to make the kind of installation you need. Alternatively, read through the articles below to learn how to choose the right installation method for your computer hardware:
Note: USB 2.0 and older removable media devices are not supported on computers using the new Intel Sky-Lake processors. Chipsets for new Central Processor Units (CPU)s do not support the USB 2.0 hub.
What type of BIOS is set up on your computer, and does it affect your installation?

The difference between Legacy and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS configurations can be the difference between a successful installation and a failure. Check out the linked articles below for more information about the subject:

Note: Be Aware the latest generation of Dell computers has dropped Legacy support from their BIOS.
 

Press the F2 key on start up to enter the BIOS setup screens. Ensure that:

  • The BIOS is set to UEFI
  • SATA Operation is set to Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) 
  • Disable the Legacy option Read-Only Memory (ROM)s
  • Disable the secure boot

XPS 13 BIOS 1

XPS 13 BIOS 2

XPS 13 BIOS 3

Note: Not every Dell BIOS has the same appearance, and the page names may change depending on the model type. However, these general instructions work on any Dell BIOS that supports an Ubuntu install.
 
Which version of Ubuntu are you looking to install?

Like any other operating system, Ubuntu is constantly looking to improve its usage and performance. The difference with Ubuntu is that you have two update options at any time:

The first is the most recent Long-Term Support (LTS) release.

This update is available every two years and Canonical fully supports it with updates for five years. It is considered a tested and stable build.

The second is the most recent Normal release.

This update is available every six months and Canonical only supports it with updates for nine months. These releases are considered to be cutting-edge, but they can have issues. Testers and developers usually use these updates.

If you are looking to upgrade to a new version of Ubuntu, check out the article: How to Upgrade your Ubuntu Operating System to the Latest Version.

Set up the Ubuntu Install

  1. Insert the Ubuntu disk into your DVD drive or connect your bootable USB into a port on the computer.

  2. Tap rapidly on the F12 key when the Dell logo appears during startup. This takes you to the Boot Once menu.

  3. You can use the Cursor or Arrow keys to navigate the menu and select your choice. You can choose to either boot from USB or Boot from DVD Drive. Once your choice is selected, press the ENTER key.

  4. When the computer reboots, choose the Try Ubuntu option. This option checks whether Ubuntu can see your hardware.

  5. When you are ready to proceed, click the Install Ubuntu button. The install wizard should appear and prompt you through some choices.

  6. Select your install language and click Continue.

Ubuntu Welcome

  1. The Keyboard layout window appears. Select the correct keyboard layout for your computer and click Continue.

Ubuntu Keyboard Layout

Note: If you are unsure what your layout is, you can now select the Detect Keyboard Layout button for help.

  1. The Preparing to install Ubuntu window appears. Choose the applicable options and click Continue.

Ubuntu Preparing To Install

Note: We recommend that during the install that you have both a wired network connector and a power cable plugged in.

Install Ubuntu on your computer

  1. If you do not have a wired connection plugged in, the install takes you through setting up a Wireless Wi-Fi connection.

Ubuntu Install

  1. The Installation type window appears. Several options are available.

    1. If you want to Dual Boot install Ubuntu alongside other operating systems, read the guide below before you select the Something Else Option:

    2. If you want to install Ubuntu over your entire hard drive, click Erase disk and install Ubuntu. Then select the hard drive that you want to install Ubuntu onto and go to step 3.

      Note: This action erases all data and operating systems that are on the disk.

       

    3. If you want to manually set-up various custom partitions on the hard drive, see the guide below before you select the Something Else option:

Ubuntu Installation Type

  1. Click Install Now. From this point onward, you cannot cancel the installation. 

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Configuring the Ubuntu install

  1. Next, you must set up a few configuration settings, starting with the Where are you?

Ubuntu Where Are You

  1. Select your location from the options on the map or type it into the text box and click Continue.

  1. Enter your personal information into the Who are you?

Ubuntu Who Are You

  1. While the operating system is installing, the screen scrolls through screenshots that gives you further information about Ubuntu.

Ubuntu Welcome To Ubuntu

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Install complete

When the install wizard finishes, the Installation complete message window appears. Click Restart Now to restart your computer.

Ubuntu Installation Complete
Ubuntu is now installed. See the Dell Knowledge Base article: How to configure Ubuntu Linux after it is first installed on your Dell Computer for initial setup advice.

Note: If there are any issues after you complete the installation, the easiest and quickest resolution is to run the installation again.

Additional Information

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

Additional Information:

 

NOTE: Canonical provides software support through the following methods:
Dell provides Technical Support through the following links:

Affected Products

Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models
Article Properties
Article Number: 000131655
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 22 Aug 2024
Version:  15
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