nVidia with Ubuntu - no X or low graphics mode

After updates and a reboot, Ubuntu 12.04(.1) reports low graphics mode and/or X does not start when using the nVidia driver.

I've seen this problem on two systems recently and it appears to be a timing issue in that the nVidia driver does get loaded but apparently not in time for X to find a valid screen.

Workaround is simple: add nvidia to the file /etc/modules it will then get loaded on boot and X will start normally.

EFI Stub - booting without a bootloader

In this post I'm detailing a quick and easy method to use EFI Stub boot introduced in the Linux kernel version 3.3.0 that provides for a faster boot without the use of a bootloader (such as grub) on a UEFI capable system.

no bootable device - gpt

Some legacy BIOS's may have an issue with a GPT partitioned drive.


Ran across this recently with an Intel D975XBX board. I GPT partitioned a drive with gdisk, installed Ubuntu and when I rebooted after the install completed with surprised to see "No Bootable Device..." displayed.