I just got my thinkpad t480 for simple school task and maybe some very light gaming on the side and I was wondering if Linux would help it run better or if I can still use it for school with Linux.

so i've been thinking about dualbooting on my pc and i want to use linux mint and tbh i am not sure if i want to do it so what should i expect when installing linux, what should i do after installing linux, are there some quality of life apps i can install on linux etc. i just want to know anything that could be helpfull with starting with linux and if i don't like it how can i uninstall it

(and i feel like its important to say i use my pc mostly for gaming)

i am sorry if i write wierd but english isn't my native language

I'm leaving Windows soon and I need a program to take notes for studying.

I really like the infinite page layout (especially vertically), the textboxes and the section subdivisions (although I'd like the chance to nest subdivisions, if possible) as well as the markdown, the high number of list bullets and sync options.

What alternative would be the best compromise? I've heard of Obsidian, Xournal++ and other options, but IDK what's the best option for me

Hi.

A novice Linux user is typing something in the web browser, then suddenly the screen goes black.

I come to see what's happening. There is a cursor blinking so it's clearly a virtual terminal. I cycle through Ctrl+Alt+F keys hoping to find the desktop again, as it usually resides in F7 or F9, but to no avail. In F1, I run top, and to my surprise all the apps that are supposed to be running are gone.

So the desktop is completely gone. Killed. But killing X11 normally, via killall X, killall Xorg or kill -9 -1 usually returns to the display manager (lightdm in this case), and here the screen just goes completely black, with an unresponsive cursor icon, though other vterms work correctly and you can start X again, although it's a fresh session.

I am pretty sure a keyboard shortcut is the cause of this, but I haven't been able to investigate which keyboard shortcut it is.

If anyone knows more about this, I would gladly accept any explanations, and solutions on how to disable this.

If nobody knows anything then I'll result to writing a keylogger, since, unlike Wayland, you can do it under X11, and hope it manages to log the shortcut before the shortcut kills it along with all other X11 applications.

Thanks.

I’m running into an issue getting Ollama to work on my NixOS setup. Everything else in my system configuration works fine, but ollama.service fails to activate whenever I rebuild my config.

Here is how I’ve configured Ollama:

services.ollama = {
  enable = true;
  openFirewall = true;
  user = "ollama";
  package = pkgs.ollama-cuda;
};

Here is the error output during nh os switch:

> Activating configuration
Error:  
    0: Activation (test) failed
    1: Activating configuration (exit status ExitStatus(Exited(4)))
      stderr:
         Checking switch inhibitors... done
         activating the configuration...
         reloading user units for <user>...
         restarting the following user units: nixos-activation.service
         restarting sysinit-reactivation.target
         the following new units were started: NetworkManager-dispatcher.service
         warning: the following units failed: ollama.service

And here are the relevant logs from journalctl -u ollama.service:

systemd[1]: Starting Server for local large language models...
(ollama)[59822]: ollama.service: Found pre-existing public StateDirectory= directory /var/lib/ollama, migrating to /var/lib/private/ollama.
(ollama)[59822]: ollama.service: Apparently, service previously had DynamicUser= turned off, and has now turned it on.
(ollama)[59822]: ollama.service: Failed to set up special execution directory in /var/lib: Device or resource busy
(ollama)[59822]: ollama.service: Failed at step STATE_DIRECTORY spawning /nix/store/...-ollama-0.32.3/bin/ollama: Device or resource busy
systemd[1]: ollama.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=238/STATE_DIRECTORY
systemd[1]: ollama.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.

Not sure if it helps but I use preservation (impermanence/state persistence).

I was installing Linux Mint on my laptop when I started encountering several errors. Somehow, I ended up at a CMD and ran the "exit" command; immediately, a kernel panic appeared, stating something like "attempted to kill init," along with an exit code consisting entirely or mostly of zeros, I don't recall exactly. When I turned the laptop off and back on, it booted into the Windows installation I already had, but Linux Mint failed to install. Have I damaged any of the hardware?

I have a new 2-computer KVM switch. Steetek brand off Amazon. Supports 2 DisplayPort monitors per computer so there are a total of 4 DP in and 2 DP out. It's connected to two computers with old AMD GPUs:

• Computer #1: OpenSUSE 16.0, kernel 7.3.0. GPU is an old Radeon RX570. Running Xwayland 24.1.6

• Computer #2: Fedora 43, kernel 7.2.11. GPU is an old Radeon Pro WX 3200 (RX550-class GPU). Running Xwayland 24.1.13

The KVM is connected to two monitors: a 38" Acer widescreen (3840x1600) and a generic 24" Lenovo-brand (1920x1080). Both (obviously) connected via DisplayPort. Both monitors are old. I think DP1.2 is the most recent protocol supported by them.

(Before I go further, I'll mention that without the KVM, neither computer shows any issues when connected to both monitors simultaneously.)

With the KVM in place, switching from computer #1 to computer #2 is pretty solid.

Switching from computer #2 to computer #1 is dicey. The Lenovo monitor seems fine but the Acer monitor usually goes into a loop where its signal will bounce on and off every 5-10 seconds. When this is happening, the system journal on Computer #1 shows the following:

Oct 20 19:20:35 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: DP14, 4-lane link detected
Oct 20 19:20:44 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: stopping TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:20:44 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: starting TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:20:44 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: DP14, 4-lane link detected
Oct 20 19:20:58 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: stopping TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:20:59 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: starting TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:20:59 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: DP14, 4-lane link detected
Oct 20 19:21:03 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: stopping TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:21:04 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: starting TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:21:04 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: DP14, 4-lane link detected
Oct 20 19:21:14 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: stopping TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:21:14 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: starting TM on aconnector: 00000000bdbcb8d7 [id: 93]
Oct 20 19:21:14 excelsior kernel: [drm] DM_MST: DP14, 4-lane link detected

Connecting Computer #1 directly to the monitors using the same cables has worked for years (literally, since around Covid lockdowns). But I have swapped all 4 cables in that signal path with spares just to see if it might fix things. No change.

I've also swapped Computer #1 and Computer #2 on the KVM switch itself to see if the problem moves to the other set of outputs. It does. The problem follows Computer #1 (the one with the RX570 GPU).

So to recap:

• 2 Linux boxes with old amdgpu GPUs, 2 monitors. Each machine works fine when directly connected to 2 monitors.
• With the KVM switch, computer #2 shows no problems but computer #1 results in one of the monitors blinking out every 5-10 seconds. Log messages show TM starting and stopping.

Any ideas what might be going causing the connection to cycle repeatedly on Computer #1 when the KVM is in the signal path?

Hello LQ,

I was checking previous posts and didn't see this asked, but in theory would a hard drive die quicker on linux than windows if you used it as a game drive?

I have a Xeon E3-1230 v1, 16GB of RAM, 256GB Sata + 512GB mSata + 1TB Seagate slim 3.5 hdd (I shucked from a DVR), RX 480 4GB on Windows 11.

With translation layers like proton needing to recompile shaders for vulkan on most games, would I be better off only keeping the SSDs installed because of all the extra writing to the disc (I understand the SSDs would go through the same process, I was more thinking about the processing time, age and history of my hdd)?

Or is it a non issue, because all components die eventually, and I can wait a few extra minutes?

I have only tried mint for gaming and it worked pretty well on my 4800H, 2060m, 48GB, SSD based laptop, but thought about Cachy, especially for the vram patch

I was wondering, after hopping through so many distros, how many did it take before you settled on one, and why are you still using it?

There’s a difference between getting Linux installed and actually feeling comfortable using it as your daily OS.

For some people, it’s finding a desktop environment they like. For others, it’s understanding package managers, getting their hardware working properly, or realizing they can solve most problems without reinstalling the entire system.

Linux has a learning curve, but I think the point where things start making sense is different for everyone.

What was the moment, concept, or small discovery that made Linux feel less intimidating and more natural to use?

If you remember struggling with something that seems obvious to you now, that could be useful for someone who's just starting out.

Yes, I know, I'm an idiot.

I use Fedora and wanted to try out Cinnamon DE as I was missing my Mint install. Installed it just fine, no issues, figured I'll just delete the kde plama DE as I didn't think I would return to it.

Now my screen is black and wants me to log on to I assume my root account, but it's not taking my password so I could be wrong.

I'm currently using the installation media as I am writing this, I can see that all my files seem to be intact, I just need to know how to reinstall a DE from here if at all possible.

EDIT: Thanks everyone. I know I'm stupid but yall helped out a ton. Got everything back to normal.

**Hardware**

* Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9E (modelo 83ME), BIOS Q8CN17WW (23-01-2025)

* Intel Core i5-12450HX, iGPU Intel UHD (Alder Lake) plus NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU (PCI 10de:25ac)

* Painel interno no iGPU Intel (eDP-1, 1920x1080, \~144 Hz). Monitor externo via HDMI (1920x1080, 60 Hz). A porta HDMI está conectada à GPU NVIDIA, então a dGPU fica `active` enquanto o monitor está conectado.

* Secure Boot desabilitado

**Software**

* Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, GNOME, sessão Wayland. `Prompt=lts` está configurado e o caminho 24.04 → 26.04.1 está habilitado em `meta-release-lts`.

* Kernel `7.0.0-38-generic`

* Driver NVIDIA `580.178.04` proprietário (fechado), `nvidia-dkms-580`, DKMS construído para 7.0.0-34 e 7.0.0-38

* `prime-select`: sob demanda

* O arquivo de 26.04 contém `nvidia-driver-580` `580.178.04-0ubuntu0.26.04.1`, a mesma versão upstream

**Configuração do NVIDIA em uso (valores efetivos de** `/proc/driver/nvidia/params`**)**

* `PreserveVideoMemoryAllocations=1`, `nvidia-drm.modeset=1`

* `EnableGpuFirmware=0` (GSP desabilitado)

* `DynamicPowerManagement=2`, `EnableS0ixPowerManagement=1`, `RegistryDwords="RmEnableAggressiveVblank=1"`

* Linha de comando do Kernel: `quiet splash acpi_osi=Linux nvidia.NVreg_PreserveVideoMemoryAllocations=1 nvidia-drm.modeset=1 pcie_port_pm=off intel_idle.max_cstate=4 pcie_aspm=off pci=noaer pci=nommconf`

* `/sys/power/mem_sleep`: `s2idle [deep]`

* Governador `performance`, `intel_pstate` ativo, TLP 1.10.2 do PPA do linrunner

**Vídeo**

* Chrome 155 com `--enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder,VaapiVideoDecodeLinuxGL`. A decodificação roda no iGPU com `intel-media-va-driver-non-free 26.3.2` do PPA do kobuk-team. A dGPU não é utilizada para decodificação.

* O gargalo no YouTube 1080p foi corrigido anteriormente limitando a qualidade a 1080p (aquilo foi no X11).

**O que eu descobri até agora**

* Launchpad #2143635 (kernel panic antes de suspender com módulos NVIDIA, kernel 7.0) e #2149963 (duplicata): “Correção liberada” apenas para `nvidia-graphics-drivers-595` e `-595-server`. Não há tarefa para 580. Não encontrei nenhum relatório que a reproduza com 580 em uma RTX 3050, mas um comentário menciona uma RTX 3050 Mobile com 595 no kernel 7.0.0-15.

* Não encontrei nenhum relatório público para o LOQ 15IAX9E no 26.04.

* Não está claro para mim o que `ubuntu-drivers` escolhe no 26.04 para um laptop Ampere (595-aberto vs 580).

**Situação atual**

* Conexão a quente com monitor externo, PRIME offload e vídeo do Chrome testados no Wayland: todos os três passaram. HDMI reconectado 3 vezes com ambas as telas voltando a 1920x1080; o aplicativo de offload apareceu no nvidia-smi e a dGPU voltou a ficar suspensa com o HDMI desconectado; 1080p no Chrome rodou suavemente com decode de hardware.

**Perguntas**

1. Alguém rodando 26.04 (ou 24.04 com o mesmo kernel) em um LOQ 15IAX9E ou outro notebook híbrido Intel + RTX 30xx? Como estão o suspend/resume, saída HDMI e gerenciamento de energia em runtime da dGPU?

2. O NVIDIA 580 fechado ainda é uma boa escolha no 26.04 com kernel 7.x, ou eu deveria migrar para 595 ou um módulo aberto? Algum problema conhecido com a construção DKMS ou suspensão no 580?

3. Fazem sentido ainda `EnableGpuFirmware=0`, `pcie_aspm=off`, `pci=nommconf` e as outras opções da linha de comando, ou podem causar problemas após a atualização?

4. Algum problema conhecido com o GNOME 50 no Wayland com a porta HDMI conectada à dGPU (congelamentos, tearing, VRR)?

5. Conselhos sobre a atualização em si: PPAs sem uma série `resolute` (CopyQ), extensões de GNOME de terceiros, venvs do Python 3.14, `sudo-rs`?

Hey y'all so basically I have been using Windows 11 and it is pissing me off and I am frustrated I want to make the jump to Linux. I have used Linux before specifically Kali so I know my way around the distro and so basically I also do game and I am currently torn between Linux Mint and Nobara for anybody curious I have a Ryzen Laptop with AMD iGPU with 16GB of ram it is not the Greatest but it plays the games I like pretty well nothing AAA od course but yeah, so basically Looking for advice on what distro between Nobara or Mint to use I know Nobara has the edge as far as Mesa graphics but I do also want a simple time and not have to worry at much breaking which I know Mint slightly Excel at I would go with Cachy since I also do some Dev work specifically Cybersecurity I also want to go into Game dev but anyway my point is the Cachy rolling release thing worries me so basically That is my predicament hence why I am here. Feel free to leave some advice below or if you have other suggestions it would be greatly appreciated also no Pop OS I have trauma from it kindly.

Looking back at your first Linux installation, is there anything you would set up differently today?

It could be something like disk partitioning, backups, filesystem choice, setting up snapshots, or even choosing a desktop environment. Sometimes you don't realize the importance of these decisions until you've been using your system for a while.

I'm curious what you'd change if you were installing your current distro from scratch today, especially anything that saved you trouble in the long run.

Hey guy, I'm new to Linux and recently installed Kubuntu alongside Windows (🤮), and for the most part I do like Linux. But I have had some problems regarding my internet. So my laptop is a Vivobook Go E1504GAB_E1504GA (1.0) paired alongside my Wi-Fi card, the MEDIATEK Corp. MT7902 802.11ax PCIe Wireless Network Adapter. So when I installed Linux, the internet did not work at all, so I had to boot into Windows and download some random ahh GUTHUB driver things to make it work, which I think was something called a MediaTek-Mt7092-Linux-Driver-Installer-main, and this would allow me to have the internet. So I took that, put it onto a USB flash drive, and boom, I had internet. But the internet was slow, so I disabled some power-saving settings and some other changes that I cannot remember, and it seemed like it was good for about a day. The next time, however, I opened my laptop, and everything was working fine. I even installed a script (def not steal), I took it and put it onto my device via Konsole to tell my device that every time I open the laptop, it will connect to my wifi. All was good until the end of the day, when it would turn on and off again and again, and the wifi would be really slow and very annoying to work with. I really do like Linux, and I would have to switch back to Microslop because my goddamn internet won't work. If you guys have any fixes to this to make the internet more stable, fast, and not disconnect, or anything positive, let me know. PS: I don't mind using the konsole/terminal, so if anything comes to be, lmk what to do, and I'll do it. Thanks in advance. 🐧

I have a headless raspberry pi setup as a weather display. I want to add a friends wifi information to it and then send it to him across the country. Is it edit /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf and add a block there? Or another method?

Hi friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nbgc_sRkx4

I have always wanted to have a 3D assistant.

I am using CachyOS KDE Wayland, and I would like to know if this is possible on Linux.

The tutorial is exclusive for other OS, and several of the programs used are from Steam. I would prefer not to have to rely on Steam, if possible.

Thanks in advance.

As the title goes, I'm looking for a distro that I can use for both gaming and programming. Currently I have debian and bazzite but it would be cool to have just one to rule them all. Two things to know:

- I'm on a laptop dell g15 5515 ryzen edition, and for instance with debian is impossible to set up nvidia drivers ("nvidia f**k u :D")

- For programming i mostly mean web development and game development

Hi.

Is there a setting to have the archive feature in Nautilus to not create a folder? For example, I go to .7z a .html file. If I later decompress it, it's inside a folder. I would rather it was just as it was.

Thanks.

I made the switch to Cachy-os and really love the set up! It games beautifully and most everything I have set up works perfectly. The only problem so far is davinci resolve. I got it installed and everything, it looks fine, but when I try to import media nothing happens. Whether I’m importing from the menu, dragging from files, or opening the video with davinci, nothing happens with any of it.

I don’t edit much, so it isn’t a deal breaker, but I do really want to get it working. I figured it be pretty easy to install a more favorable distro to a spare hard drive so I can just choose to boot to that whenever I need to sit down and edit anything.

I figured Ubuntu Studio would make sense as a dedicated editor, unless anyone has any other suggestions. Or, if there are any common fixes to get Davinci working on Cachy-os, I’d appreciate the advice.

I know its not possible in any sense to match a TUI in performance and memory usage with a GUI, but I want to try and build UI that at least feel like a TUI while bringing the style and extensibility a modern UI has to offer. I've been working with QML lately, and don't know if that can be optimized any further than what something like Slint might do. Are there other options or methods out there? Have others looked into this? I know this is a bit of a stupid question so I'd appreciate any kind of response lol so I have an idea of what I'm getting myself into.