Ubuntu
software-properties package

Cannot find Additional drivers (proprietary) for my nVidia graphics card

Asked by Nidal R

The Software & Updates program cannot find the proprietary drivers for my nVidia 620m graphics card. Unity cog menu> 'About this computer' doesn't even detect my nvidia card. It just says I have Intel® Ivybridge Mobile.

Am on Ubuntu 13.10 which is fully updated.
My Laptop details :

Model : Acer Model V5 471G
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-3317U CPU
Graphics : Intel® Ivybridge Mobile and nVidia 620m graphics card.

I tried installing it manually.. turned out to be a mess . Right now my laptop is running with fan on full speed, cannot adjust screen brightness, very low battery life compared to my windows 8 installation, and hot as a friggin toaster. This problem is seriously affecting my work. Any suggestions for good workarounds are appreciated.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.10
Package: software-properties-gtk 0.92.28
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.11.0-13.20-generic 3.11.6
Uname: Linux 3.11.0-13-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.12.5-0ubuntu2.1
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sun Nov 24 19:58:33 2013
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-10-31 (23 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016.1)
MarkForUpload: True
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: software-properties
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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This question was originally filed as bug #1254451.

Revision history for this message
Daniel Letzeisen (dtl131) said : 		#1

This is not a bug with software-properties. It does not offer the nvidia driver for install because the nvidia driver should not be installed directly on Optimus/hybrid systems.

Revision history for this message
Daniel Letzeisen (dtl131) said : 		#2

Consider using Bumblebee: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bumblebee

It will turn off the Nvidia GPU when not in use to keep temps down and significantly increase battery life.

Revision history for this message
Nidal R (nidalr) said : 		#3

Thanks for replies
#1: Thanks, I didn't know that. Perhaps, this fact should be made more clear by software-properties or anywhere else on Ubuntu (during Ubuntu installation or in 'About this computer'>graphics. Googling didn't help me find this.

Will try out #2. Bit apprehensive, though because last time i tried this i ended up with a blank desktop, forcing me to delete that account and create a new user account.

Revision history for this message
Nidal R (nidalr) said : 		#4

Also, installing Bumblebee requires installing nvidia proprietary drivers.
So why not give the option through Software-properties? and also install bumble-bee along with it?

Revision history for this message
Daniel Letzeisen (dtl131) said : 		#5

Bumblebee is not officially supported, so expecting support through software-properties is unrealistic.

I agree Ubuntu does a poor job of handling Optimus. The info utility should at least indicate its presence. Most users get confused and try to install nvidia driver directly, which borks the intel driver. While that's reversible through console, a lot of newer users do a full reinstall.

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