So I have inherited an old Imac Mid 2010 , it was being disposed ( Clarkdale i3 540, Radeon 4670 RV730)
I had installed Ubuntu Mate 24.04.02 now , and previously tried Xubuntu 24.04.1
Everything installs fine from USB ,( though enabling the wifi during install did initially cause freezing)
Once installed I am able to open firefox browse the web and run Libre office without problem .
However whenever I open the ‘Apparence settings’ or ’ Change background’ the machine hard freezes. Num /Caps lock keys do not respond .
I have tried ‘sudo apt-get update/ upgrade’
This problem happened both with Xubuntu and Ubuntu Mate
Any suggestions ?
These are more than likely GPU-related incidents.
Let’s start like this:
On next boot, at the GRUB menu line press e to edit the boot line.
Navigate to the line starting with linux and append nomodeset to that line.
Then Ctrl+X to continue booting.
Once at the desktop, try opening those apps again.
Does the problem persist?
Hi
For some reason on this iMac I do not get a grub menu
There is just a single ‘-’
If I press esc or shift, it just hangs
I installed the OS with a GPT/ EFI USB … Not sure if that is a problem or not?
After logging in can you please post the output of this:cat /etc/default/grub
Thanks.
Hi
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`( . /etc/os-release; echo ${NAME:-Ubuntu} ) 2>/dev/null || echo Ubuntu`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=menu
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`( . /etc/os-release; echo ${NAME:-Ubuntu} ) 2>/dev/null || echo Ubuntu`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
Ctrl+O to write, press Enter, Ctrl+X to exit.
sudo update-grub
Reboot and you should see the GRUB menu allowing you to edit and add nomodeset.
I made the changes to the grub . However the Grub menu still is not showing … Just the ‘-’ for 10 seconds now .
Strange
Also my cursor is randomly dissapearing and needs a reboot to come back …
Seems mac have issues with the grub menu ( probably the poor efi implementation )
I see this particular solution here
`GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=false
I will see how I can add this to my grub
I think you are probably right.
From my research, I believe the line GRUB_TERMINAL=console is the key.
You can edit the file as before and append that line then save and update as before.
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=menu
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`( . /etc/os-release; echo ${NAME:-Ubuntu} ) 2>/dev/null || echo Ubuntu`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
GRUB_TERMINAL=console
If you still get the black screen or cursor after this, then try adding these 2 lines:
GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=text
So i managed to add the ‘nomodeset’ argument
I am now able to change background without freezing …
Is this a temporary fix ?
Yes it is, correct.
It is not ideal but until someone with more knowledge of your GPU comes along, we can make it more permanent.
Back we go to the grub config file and then add nomodeset to this line:GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
It should then look like this:GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nomodeset"
Thanks
This has cured the freezing, though I have now discovered the backlight does not adjust or turn off . I have tried the solution here
So my grub now looks like
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=false
GRUB_TIMEOUT=
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`( . /etc/os-release; echo ${NAME:-Ubuntu} ) 2>/dev/null || ec>
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash pcie_aspm=force acpi_backlight=native >
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX
The Brightness change will only work when I remove the ‘nomodeset’
Any further suggestions appreciated
system
June 16, 2025, 2:00pm
13
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