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May 8th, 2017 14:00

17 R4, Linux, anyone got it working?

I've seen a few old threads about this so I thought I'd ask afresh.

I tried a couple of months back to get Ubuntu 16.04 working on my shiny new Alienware 17 R4. Total failure, it appears NVidia related. I don't use it for Gaming, but website development, so key requirement for me is being able to use both external monitor outputs and the internal screen, so having 3 in total.

I couldn't even see if I could get this to work as the driver simply wouldn't work. The other issue I had was getting it to see the NVMe SSD.

I didn't have any sort of issue with my old Alienware M14x R2, that just took Ubuntu in its stride and worked mostly flawlessly, I was sort of hoping the new one would as well

So, has anyone been able to get it working on the 17 R4?

TIA.

Steve.

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13 Posts

May 8th, 2017 14:00

Had it working fine on a 13r3 and 15r3 without any issues including an NVME ssd.  Curious, do you have the Gsync screen?  

16 Posts

May 9th, 2017 00:00

Not as far as I know, just the normal FHD screen.

June 7th, 2017 01:00

I installed openSUSE 42.2 on it. Just make sure, before you leave windows for the last time that your NVIDIA card is activated full. And not switching with the Intel. I haven't found a way to switch cards in Linux. And the A09 BIOS doens't show the option to switch.

Everything worked but the ethernet connector but I got that working to with a simple action. Reply if you need the steps.

Btw, performance on games is perfect on Linux I play EVE Online, it runs better in WINE under Linux than native in win10.

1 Message

June 7th, 2017 18:00

I'm currently posting this from my 17 R4 running XFCE on Arch Linux.

Gaming for me was really smooth, even on high settings.

I have only connected one external monitor via HDMI, but the system was able to display to that monitor no problem.

I would recommend installing the proprietary nvidia drivers, which (iirc) should be available through the Ubuntu software center.

2 Posts

August 18th, 2017 13:00

My attemp to install Ubuntu was a disaster as well.

2 Posts

August 18th, 2017 13:00

Could you please tell me if your webcam works?

August 30th, 2017 00:00

My webcam worked out of the box.

August 30th, 2017 00:00

I also now play Shadows of Mordor and Warhammer Total War from Steam. It's running so good. I don't understand DELL by not making Linux drivers. Embrace Linux or die. That's what is going to happen.

1 Message

August 30th, 2017 05:00

Thanks. Your reply saved my life. After struggling with Ubuntu for week. I also installed opensuse leap. I am very happy so far.

October 23rd, 2017 20:00

Running Ubuntu 17.10 with Nvidia driver 381.22 (opensource drivers) with Playonlinux and Steam (Linux version and Windows version).  Most of my steam games for windows are working just fine.  I had no problems with 16.04 or 16.10 either.  The only issue is switching between intel and nvidia graphics with the Nvidia Settings GUI, solved this by using terminal and typing prime-select intel or nvidia and rebooting.  I'm also running KVM (libvirt) and VirtualBox without issues. Tested Fedora, OpenSuse, Manjaro, Antergos, and Arch.

2 Posts

December 4th, 2017 22:00

May i ask which screen does your system have ?
I have  QHD 120Hz TN AG 400-nits w/ NVIDIA G-SYNC , do you think it might make it scarce for the drivers ? 

2 Posts

December 4th, 2017 22:00

Good to know about your progress.
Do you think it will work the same for 17 R4 (7820HK,GTX 1080) with 17.3 inch QHD (2560 x 1440) 120Hz TN AG 400-nits w/ NVIDIA G-SYNC.
Since there is no optimus available for this configuration ? 

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