I have a 2010 iMac, and I am trying to install Ubuntu because High Sierra is no longer supported by most applications. Here's what I have done so far:
- Downloaded ubuntu (20.04.3 LTS)
- Burned the iso to usb thumb drive using
dd.
- Booted from the USB, and selected
Ubuntu (safe graphics).
- Followed the instructions to install. I chose the minimum installation option, and did not select the
Install third-party software for graphics....
- The install seemed to work as expected, and once it is done, I get the prompt to restart in order to finalize the install.
- I selected the restart option, and the restart begins. When prompted to remove the installation medium and hit enter, I did remove the usb drive and hit enter.
- Ok, now is when things started to go badly:
- The shut down completed, and the boot up began. I heard the Mac "chime" and a brief white screen. Then, the screen immediately went all black except for a single solid cursor on the upper left corner. After about 3 seconds of this, the cursor disappeared and the entire screen is black. I have even let it sit like this overnight, but to no avail.
Here are some things I have tried to fix this:
- booting in
nomodesafe mode as suggested here: My computer boots to a black screen, what options do I have to fix it?. When I hit SHIFT (I have also tried repeatably hitting ESC as some people suggest), nothing happens; the screen still goes black.
- Selecting the
Install third-party software for graphics... button when prompted at install.
- Editing the
/etc/default/grub file as suggested here (https://www.stephenwagner.com/2019/05/05/ubuntu-linux-black-screen-frozen-system-after-upgrade-install/). I can edit the file, but running sudo update-grub throws an error: error: failed to get canonical path of '/cow'. Note that I have had to do this immediately after the installation and BEFORE the first reboot, since this is the only time I ever get the ubuntu GUI. Basically, I have had to 'x' out of the dialog box prompting me to restart.
- I tried x'ing out of the reboot option as above, and then going to the Additional Drivers program to check for any relevant drivers. I saw "No additional drivers available", so this was also a dead end.
- (Yes, it has taken numerous attempted installs to try these different options)
It also might be helpful to note that I have tried both xubuntu and ubuntu, but the problem is the same in both. I would prefer ubuntu if possible, but at this point I just want something that works.
Currently, I have ubuntu installed, and I x'ed out of the restart prompt, so I am in the ubuntu GUI. However, I am afraid to restart because I am confident the problem will happen all over again.
Any ideas on what might be the problem and how I can fix it? I am not a genius (actually nothing close, I'm a little technically challenged) when it comes to computers, so layman's explanations would be appreciated! Let me know if you need any other information. Thanks so much for any advice!
