Install Linux Mint 19 on Asus X550VX
UPDATE 21st Dec 2018: Today I’ve upgraded to Linux Mint 19.1 with no hassle. So far, it is a smooth experience. I will update this article if I find any problems with Linux Mint 19.1.
Today I have installed Linux Mint 19 on my Asus X550VX laptop. Some problems I faced while installing Linux Mint 18.3 have been fixed in Linux Mint 19. Therefore, I decided to write a new article than updating my previous article: Install Linux Mint 18.3 on Asus X550VX. However, first few steps are copied from my previous article since they are same for Linux Mint 19.
1. Installing Linux Mint
The problem starts with installing the operating system. As I have seen with many other laptops with Nvidia graphics, the open source graphics driver packed in Linux Mint installer may not let you to pass the loading screen. If the installer freezes with the initial loading progress, you need to add nomodeset to the boot option. This is a common problem and already mentioned in the Linux Mint Release Notes. Once you have logged into the system, you can proceed with installation as usual.
NOTE: I did not install third party software during installation to avoid getting any third party graphics card software.
2. Post Installation
After installing Linux Mint, it will ask you to reboot and sometimes it may freeze after ejecting the installation media. In such a case, there is no other way than force shutdown the laptop.
3. Starting Linux Mint for the first time
If you already had issues with open source graphics driver as mentioned in Step 1, you need to add the nomodeset parameter to the grub menu. It can be done by following this Ask Ubuntu answer: How do I set ‘nomodeset’ after I’ve already installed Ubuntu?
If the laptop keyboard is not working in Grub menu, use an external keyboard.
Once you have logged in, do not install anything. Move to step 4.
4. Installing latest Nvidia Driver for GeForce® GTX 950M
Visit the Nvidia Drivers website and fill the input fields to manually find out the latest driver that matches your graphics card. You do not need to download the driver. Just making note of the version is enough.
At the time of writing this article, driver version 390.67 was available.
Now add the following Proprietary GPU Drivers PPA by using the following commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
sudo apt updateAfter updating the cache, open the Driver Manager from Cinnamon start menu and install the supporting driver you found from the Nvidia website.
Even though there is a newer version, I stick with the version I found using the Nvidia driver search tool.
After installing the driver, restart the laptop. This time you do not need to modify the grub menu. After login, you must see NVIDIA Tray Icon and you must be able to get a similar window as given below by clicking on that icon.
If you get that window, you are done with installing Nvidia drivers. You can proceed with system update and other installations.
Unlike Linux Mint 18, screen brightness function keys and changing display resolution work out of the box. I also have installed latest Kernel available in Ubuntu PPA without any issues. Both WiFi and LAN works out of the box. So far I haven’t experienced any problems with Linux Mint 19. Compared to Linux Mint 18, you can feel the performance and look and feel improvements in Linux Mint 19.
Enjoy the new system and please consider donating Linux Mint team for their awesome job.
