In this article, we will guide you through the process of fixing the “Installed Packages Do Not Support PRIME” error on a Dell XPS 15 running Ubuntu 18.04. This error typically occurs when attempting to switch between Intel and NVIDIA graphics using the prime-select command.
To fix the "Installed Packages Do Not Support PRIME" error on a Dell XPS 15 running Ubuntu 18.04, you need to install the nvidia-prime package, disable the nvidia-fallback.service, update the GRUB configuration, install the bbswitch-dkms package, and add bbswitch to the /etc/modules file. After completing these steps and rebooting your system, you should be able to switch between Intel and NVIDIA graphics without encountering the error.
Understanding the Error
The PRIME error is usually related to the NVIDIA graphics driver. PRIME is a technology used by the NVIDIA driver to offload rendering to the Intel integrated GPU. The error message “Installed Packages Do Not Support PRIME” suggests that the necessary packages for this operation are not installed or not functioning correctly.
Preliminary Steps
Before we start with the main process, ensure that your system is updated. You can do this by running the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThis command updates the list of available packages and installs the latest versions of all installed packages on your system.
Step 1: Install the nvidia-prime package
The nvidia-prime package is a part of the NVIDIA driver that handles switching between the integrated and dedicated GPUs. To install it, run the following command:
sudo apt install nvidia-primeStep 2: Disable the nvidia-fallback.service
The nvidia-fallback.service is a system service that can interfere with the operation of nvidia-prime. To disable it, run the following command:
sudo systemctl disable nvidia-fallback.serviceStep 3: Update the GRUB configuration
GRUB is the bootloader used by Ubuntu. You need to add a parameter to the GRUB configuration to prevent the Nouveau driver (an open-source driver for NVIDIA cards) from interfering with nvidia-prime.
Open the /etc/default/grub file in a text editor with root privileges:
sudo nano /etc/default/grubFind the line that starts with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT and add nouveau.blacklist=1 to the end of the existing parameters. The line should look like this:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nouveau.blacklist=1"Save and close the file, then update GRUB with the following command:
sudo update-grubStep 4: Install the bbswitch-dkms package
The bbswitch-dkms package provides a way to switch the dedicated GPU on or off at boot. Install it with the following command:
sudo apt install bbswitch-dkmsStep 5: Add bbswitch to the /etc/modules file
To ensure bbswitch is loaded at boot, add it to the /etc/modules file. Open the file in a text editor with root privileges:
sudo nano /etc/modulesAdd bbswitch on a new line at the end of the file, save and close the file.
Testing the Solution
After completing these steps, reboot your system. Then, try running sudo prime-select intel again. If everything was done correctly, the command should execute without errors.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter problems with the NVIDIA card remaining active when switching to the Intel driver, you can manually turn it off using bbswitch. Load the bbswitch module and check the status of the NVIDIA card with these commands:
sudo modprobe bbswitch
sudo cat /proc/acpi/bbswitchIf the output shows the card as “ON,” you can turn it off with this command:
sudo tee /proc/acpi/bbswitch <<< OFFConclusion
This guide should help you resolve the “Installed Packages Do Not Support PRIME” error on a Dell XPS 15 running Ubuntu 18.04. If you continue to experience issues, consider seeking further assistance on the Ubuntu Forums or Ask Ubuntu. Remember, the Linux community is always there to help.
The nvidia-prime package is responsible for handling the switching between the integrated Intel GPU and the dedicated NVIDIA GPU on your Dell XPS 15. It allows you to offload rendering tasks to the NVIDIA GPU when needed.
You can check if the nvidia-prime package is installed by running the following command in the terminal: dpkg -l nvidia-prime. If the package is installed, you will see its version and other information. If it is not installed, the command will return an empty output.
No, the nvidia-prime package is necessary for correctly switching between Intel and NVIDIA graphics on your Dell XPS 15. Without it, you may encounter errors and issues when attempting to switch between the GPUs.
Disabling the nvidia-fallback.service is necessary to prevent interference with the operation of nvidia-prime. This service can conflict with the switching process and cause issues, so it is recommended to disable it.
To check if the bbswitch-dkms package is installed, you can use the command dpkg -l bbswitch-dkms in the terminal. If the package is installed, you will see its version and other information. If it is not installed, the command will return an empty output.
bbswitch is a module that allows you to switch the dedicated NVIDIA GPU on or off at boot. It is used in conjunction with nvidia-prime to control the GPU switching process on your Dell XPS 15.
To manually turn off the NVIDIA card using bbswitch, you can run the following command in the terminal: sudo tee /proc/acpi/bbswitch <<< OFF. This command will disable the card and prevent it from being used until it is manually turned on again.
