Help getting running off boot drive

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Ubuntu Support Template

Ubuntu Version:
24.0.4LTS

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
Example: GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, Budgie, etc.

Problem Description:

I recently built a computer with a threadripper 7960x and nvidia 5090 gpu. I want to install ubuntu to try out linux.

I created a USB bootable drive. I configured the bios to boot off the thumbdrive, which it does, I get a GNU GRUB splash screen with options to:

  • try or install ubuntu
  • Unbuntu (safe graphics)
  • Boot from next volume
  • UEFI Firmaware settings

Iā€™ve tried both try and install or safe graphics with no luck. In both iā€™ve added nomodesest. The exact line is:

linux /casper/vmlinuz nomodeset --- quiet splash

I read it should be after quiet splash but when i save it ends up in front. I suspect this is alphabetical ordering. Either way I either get a hung screen with ā€œBooting a command listā€ or a black screen .

If i set the computer to use the compatibility support mode in the bios i do get a low resolution graphics screen that says ubuntu but it disappears and remains black in safe graphics mode. In this config the video card fans run at max speed shortly after the screen goes black.

Iā€™m unsure what to do here. Ultimately I understand its a video driver issue. But I havenā€™t found advice that actually resolves my problem. Other things Iā€™ve tried:

  • turn off fast boot in bios
  • rebuilt the usb boot drive
  • memory test (in csm mode this option pops up)

Relevant System Information:
cpu: threadripper 7960x

ram: kingston fury ddr5 128gb ecc

motherboard: ws trx50-sage wifi

gpu: gigabyte geforce rtx 5090

ssd: samsung 990pro 2tb

Screenshots or Error Messages:
Its a black screen usually, so canā€™t really post a message.

What Iā€™ve Tried:
see above

Before Posting:
I have looked, but nothing Iā€™ve read so-far has helped. CSM is the closest ā€˜feelingā€™ given i actually see the words ubuntu on screen and some dots after asking it to install. but it invariably goes black after.

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I am not going to be much help. I have done a little research on AMD Zen architecture and Nvidia 5090 GPU.

Linux does run on the AMD Zen architecture. It is good to know that. Ubuntu does have a Linux kernel that will run on Zen. The issue comes with the driver. We are not able to install a Nvidia proprietary driver until we are actually installing Ubuntu. You cannot get to the TRY/INSTALL desktop with the open source video driver. That is your problem. What can be done?

I am going to suggest that with the latest hardware it is better to use the latest version of Ubuntu. Which is Ubuntu 25.10. You might even do better with Ubuntu 26.04 which is still under development. When it is released during the 3rd week of April it will be an LTS version. We can install the development version of Ubuntu 26.04 and through the normal update/upgrade process it will upgrade into the released version. Also, we can upgrade from Ubuntu 25.10 to Ubuntu 26.04 about six months after 26.04 is released.

I think you may do better with the very latest Linux kernel and the very latest open source video drivers.

Regards

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Thanks for the response, I tried 25.10. It behaves differently, (flashing install screen) but doesnā€™t seem to complete (at least I waited 30min or so which I would have thought would have been enough time. I ran through the bios options I have seen suggested with similar outcomes as before. Iā€™m guessing someone knows the answer to this, I know I cannot be the only person who has tried this.

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Thereā€™s one firmware setting you absolutely shouldnā€™t even think about: CSM (AKA Legacy mode AKA ā€œBIOSā€ mode). Itā€™s surprising such brand new hardware still carries this fossil around. In 2020/21 most mainstream manufacturers removed it.

Yes, the problem here is your Nvidia graphics which is ā€œtoo newā€. I also suggest start experimenting with the upcoming 26.04.

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CSM is for systems prior to 2012. It is the old BIOS boot mode. Laptops after about 2020 eliminated the CSM mode.
CSM - UEFI Compatibility Support Module (CSM), which emulates a BIOS mode

You at least need the safe graphics mode and choose the option to install optional restricted drivers. It should install the correct nViida driver, but not sure how new they have. That is why trying 26.04 is a possibility, newer kernel & newer drivers. If you do try 26.04 plan to reinstall after release as it makes many changes & updates, so log files and other cruft can be very large.

Haves you updated UEFI firmware & SSD firmware to latest? Even new system may have an update. That may reset your UEFI settings. My old motherboard required multiple settings changed, so I had to keep a list to remember what settings to redo with every firmware update.

Some other settings you may need.

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