The NEW Dell XPS 8900

taylorkh · 11-25-2015, 08:18 AM

Has anyone installed ANY Linux distro on one of these new machines? I just purchased an XPS 8900 with an i7-6700 processor and 8 GB of RAM. I booted it from the Ubuntu Mate 14.10 DVD and performed an install on a temporary hard drive. The first thing I noticed was that the wired Ethernet did not connect. Usually it is the WiFi which does not connect until specific drivers are loaded. In this case WiFi would connect.

The second issue involves the USB system. I plugged in a USB flash drive to save the results of some investigation and I found that the mouse and keyboard became unresponsive. And the USB drive did not open on the Desktop as is the normal action.

Ubuntu Mate 15.10 would not boot from a tested OK flash drive - some errors scrolled on the screen faster than I could read them.

Fedora - latest version, I think 17 - started to load from the Live DVD and that is as far as it got.

CentOS 7 Live DVD experienced some sort of kernel crash during loading and got no further.

After I set the BIOS back to Secure boot and UEFI etc. Windoze 10 which was pre-installed on the original drive appeared to boot OK and connected with the wired Ethernet. It did not lockup when I inserted a flash drive so I do not think the hardware is defective.

For reference here is the output from sudo lscip -v

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Device 191f (rev 07)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
	Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information: Len=10 <?>

00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Device 1901 (rev 07) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
	Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=0
	I/O behind bridge: 0000e000-0000efff
	Memory behind bridge: de000000-df0fffff
	Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000d0000000-00000000d9ffffff
	Capabilities: [88] Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [90] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
	Capabilities: [a0] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
	Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel
	Capabilities: [140] Root Complex Link
	Capabilities: [d94] #19
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport

00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Device a12f (rev 31) (prog-if 30 [XHCI])
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 139
	Memory at df230000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
	Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 2
	Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/8 Maskable- 64bit+
	Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd

00:14.2 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation Device a131 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 11
	Memory at df24e000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-

00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation Device a13a (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: fast devsel, IRQ 11
	Memory at df24d000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=4K]
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [8c] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+

00:17.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Device a102 (rev 31) (prog-if 01 [AHCI 1.0])
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 140
	Memory at df248000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8K]
	Memory at df24c000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
	I/O ports at f050 [size=8]
	I/O ports at f040 [size=4]
	I/O ports at f020 [size=32]
	Memory at df24b000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
	Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
	Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [a8] SATA HBA v1.0
	Kernel driver in use: ahci

00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Device a110 (rev f1) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
	Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=0
	I/O behind bridge: 0000d000-0000dfff
	Memory behind bridge: df100000-df1fffff
	Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
	Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
	Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
	Capabilities: [140] Access Control Services
	Capabilities: [220] #19
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Device a145 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0

00:1f.2 Memory controller: Intel Corporation Device a121 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
	Memory at df244000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]

00:1f.3 Audio device: Intel Corporation Device a170 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 32, IRQ 141
	Memory at df240000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
	Memory at df220000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
	Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [60] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel

00:1f.4 SMBus: Intel Corporation Device a123 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 11
	Memory at df24a000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
	I/O ports at f000 [size=32]

00:1f.6 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Device 15b8 (rev 31)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 06b8
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 11
	Memory at df200000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128K]
	Capabilities: [c8] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [d0] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [e0] PCI Advanced Features

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation Device 1287 (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
	Subsystem: Dell Device 1083
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 142
	Memory at de000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
	Memory at d0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=128M]
	Memory at d8000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=32M]
	I/O ports at e000 [size=128]
	[virtual] Expansion ROM at df000000 [disabled] [size=512K]
	Capabilities: [60] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [68] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [78] Express Legacy Endpoint, MSI 00
	Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel
	Capabilities: [128] Power Budgeting <?>
	Capabilities: [600] Vendor Specific Information: ID=0001 Rev=1 Len=024 <?>
	Kernel driver in use: nvidia

01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation Device 0e0f (rev a1)
	Subsystem: Dell Device 1083
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
	Memory at df080000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
	Capabilities: [60] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [68] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [78] Express Endpoint, MSI 00
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel

02:00.0 Network controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8723BE PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
	Subsystem: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Device 8739
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
	I/O ports at d000 [size=256]
	Memory at df100000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
	Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 3
	Capabilities: [50] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
	Capabilities: [70] Express Endpoint, MSI 00
	Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
	Capabilities: [140] Device Serial Number 00-23-b7-fe-ff-4c-e0-00
	Capabilities: [150] Latency Tolerance Reporting
	Capabilities: [158] L1 PM Substates
	Kernel driver in use: rtl8723be

This is the first Dell PC on which I have had any problems installing Linux. I an quite bummed out. Perhaps I will return this and purchase a Precision Workstation from the business side of the house.

Ken

gradinaruvasile · 11-25-2015, 09:14 AM

Try disabling the nvidia card and use only the intel for installing. Might try installing Debian sid or testing.

taylorkh · 11-25-2015, 10:14 AM

Thanks gradinaruvasile,

I can see how that might help with the Fedora or CentOS 7. However, the biggest concern is the lack of Ethernet with Ubuntu which is what I had planned to run. I was able to install all updates over WiFi but the Ethernet still did not come alive.

Ken

gradinaruvasile · 11-26-2015, 12:05 PM

According to

http://cateee.net/lkddb/web-lkddb/E1000E.html
The e1000e module can be used with 15b8 in the kernels 4.14.2, 4.4-rc+HEAD. Have you tried with kernels 4.1+? Also, did you verify if the e1000e module is loaded (AFAIK sometimes might conflict with e1000)?

taylorkh · 11-27-2015, 07:42 AM

Thanks again gradinaruvasile,

I appreciate your digging into this boondoggle. To be perfectly honest I was looking for a magic bullet answer such as "try running version 15.10." I started dabbling in Linux with Red Hat 5.2 about 1998. As I recall the installer would not identify my generic Multisync monitor. It asked me what resolution and refresh rate to use. I specified something within the monitor's capability, worked my way though to the end of the install - a long process on a Pentium II - and it would not work as the resolution/refresh values were out of bounds. It took me several tries before I came across a combination which worked.

I have become spoiled. Modern distros generally install and work on mainstream hardware without having to build custom kernels. The PC in question is a rather new release and I have not been able to find anything on the Web with respect to it and Linux - neither pro nor con. I think I will allow someone else sort this out. The machine is back in its box waiting for shipping papers from Dell to take it back. I am tempted to pull it out for another go - but not that tempted

My i7-860 machine is powerful enough for my needs. I guess I jumped too soon on the latest technology.

Regards,

Ken

kernelcoffee · 12-01-2015, 09:44 PM

@taylorkh I found the solution after a few hours of lurking the web and trial and errors.
you need to add pcie_aspm=off to the kernel argument line in grub.

basicaly when you boot from the usb key you will have a small grub where you can have multiple options (install xxxx, check and install, boot live-cd etc.)
press e to enter edit mode.
add pcie_aspm=off to the line "linuxefi /vmlinuz.......rhgb quiet...."
then ctrl-x to start

you will also have to add it in /etc/default/grub at the GRUB_CMD_LINE="..."

That fixed it for me.

taylorkh · 12-02-2015, 03:57 PM

Thanks kernelcoffee,

I will keep this in mind when I purchase another PC. The 8900 has gone back to Dell.

Ken

jsonder · 12-03-2015, 02:20 PM

I had the same problems. Disabling the video card did not help. I think that the Intel Z170 chipset is the main culprit.

However, it was such a good pre-Black Friday buy that I have re-installed windows10 w/out the Dell stuff (I had zeroed out the 1 gig hard drive) and am awaiting the next kernel to trickle down to the distros, to add linux. It isn't as if I don't have 3 other computers running linux as the primary operating system.

taylorkh · 12-03-2015, 03:09 PM

Thanks jsonder,

I figured something like that. I have 6 computers running Linux and several virtual machines in VMWare. I have been successfully using Dell hardware since 1987 when it was called PCs Ltd. In the last month I have struck out 3 times. I ordered a Chrombox which I was going to run as a Linux server with 2 2TB external drives as a low $ NAS. Chrome was so totally embedded I could not do anything with it. It went back. I was watching the XPS on the veterans/military member purchase page. Then a pre-black Friday limited time deal gave me a better price. I jumped on it. An hour later the price on the member purchase page dropped even less. I tried to cancel the first one - was told it would take 5 - 6 hours before it was "in the system" to be canceled. I order from member purchase. Half an hour later I got an email that the first one had shipped. After the fiasco described in the original post I sent both back.

While I was looking at Precision workstations I got a call from a representative from Dell who welcomed me as a "Customer for life" (business side of the house as I had purchased a server last year). I said "yes I have been a customer as long as Dell computer has been alive." The workstation I was looking at was on sale for $999 less $108 for Linux instead of Windoze and add $300 for a faster processor and perhaps $200 for a video card upgrade. Total around $1400 - $1500.

I told the rep that it was not worth upgrading unless the new machine provided a performance boost over my existing 17-860. What processor do I need? (I am not very familiar with Xeons compared to "civilian" processors). She sent me a quote for a 6 core Xeon workstation. $2500 when I looked at it that evening. The next morning it had gone to $3000+ and it did not include any Linux OS option!

For that price range I can get a REAL Linux workstation from a company which specializes in the things. So instead I grabbed a Samsung 850 EVO SSD to upgrade my existing machine. I am still looking at various Dell offerings. I see that there is a 3000 series workstation with the i7-6700. It is offered with Ubuntu 14-04 so I wonder if it has a different chip set???

Ken

kernelcoffee · 12-03-2015, 04:22 PM

A Xeon platform is interesting if you're running heavy operations for a long time as they pretty much higher quality chips than the civilians one otherwise at equal cores/frequencies the power difference is minimal.

I've been running the 8900 for 48hr now (adding the grub line did the trick), it's not exactly 100 stable as far as I can tell (system hanged to death a couple of time where I have to hard reset it), but it's what my work provided me.
Otherwise I would just build the damn thing myself with added benefit that it doesn't have the whole Dell custom uefi & crapwares (also the insides of the beast are a LOT cleaner).
We'll see how it behaves but yeah, seems like either the Intel Z170 or just the Skylake platform as a whole that's isn't fully stable for Linux.

alphahydroxy · 01-02-2016, 02:52 PM

I too have an XPS 8900 i7-6600. It would not install Mint 17.3, but then I have a Zareason vialta which would not do that either. Zareason is dedicated to Linux, and does not produce Windows boxen. I also have an I7 laptop from Zareason for my wife. I am very happy with the laptop, as I maintain it and it has cause me no problems. The vialta is not so good.

I just finished the base install of Debian 8.2 (Jessie) on the XPS 8900, and have been able to log in. I was not able to install WiFi without a nonfree driver, but that is not an issue for me as I cable everything. The XPS would also not run an HGST disk without a driver. I switched to a Samsung SSD, and things are OK. Debian does not recognize the graphics card, but I had planned on switching that out anyway so I could use a Wacom monitor -- the only reason I would go back to Dell or Windows.

jsonder · 01-22-2016, 05:44 AM

Solved, I guess. The answer was provided on the Ubuntu forum here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...=Dell+XPS+8900

Basically, I had to install from a dvd in uefi mode with secure boot enabled, no legacy used. This provides a dual boot with Win 10 and Ubuntu 15.10 (which has a 4.2 kernel).

Moving the "cursor" to "Try Ubuntu" on the grub menu, and then pressing the e key to get into edit mode allowed adding "pcie_aspm=off" to the boot command line stuff was sufficient, followed by F10 to exit the edit mode. You have to go add that to /etc/default/grub after installation to make that a persistent fix.

Ubuntu will act very windows-like and put itself as the default, but it did set up dual boot. No adding a grubx64.EFI manipulation was needed.

The only drawback is that the restart command (rather than "shut down") seems broken in Ubuntu, and it just hangs. So, you have to use shut down and then manually restart the computer. Otherwise it works fine.

jsonder · 01-23-2016, 09:55 AM

The restart problem appears to have been just an installation glitch; it is working fine now.

hnchrist3 · 02-29-2016, 06:19 PM

Here are the steps to put Ububtu Linux on a Dell XPS 8900:

0. Setup Windows10
If you see the negative reviews about this machine, they are mostly Windows10 related. If you want a dual-boot machine, then you'll have to go through the Windows10 setup, otherwise go to step 1.
* It is important to not have anything connected to your machine while setting up Windows.
Most of the problems in Windows10 are attributed to drivers.
Set it up and be sure to make a recovery USB drive (you'll need 16GB). Do yourself a favor and get a USB 3.0 flash drive—after all you have six USB 3.0 ports!

1. Booting with Linux
You may use your new Windows10 installation or anything else to create a boot disc or a boot USB drive. If you go USB, go USB 3.0. It takes ubuntu 30 seconds to have a working system from a 3.0 flash drive and two-and-a-half minutes from a USB 2.0 flash drive. Use ubuntu 15.10 (64-bit) or later.

When you turn the machine on and get the DELL splash screen press F12. A boot menu will appear. Select your preferred way, but only from the 'UEFI BOOT:' options.
Regardless, when grub boots, it will default to “*Try Ubuntu without installing.” Press the letter e to enter edit mode in grub. Use the down-arrow key to get to the line that starts “linux”. Right-arrow over to the 'n' in 'noprompt' and then type in:
pcie_aspm=off nouveau.modeset=0 <space>
Then press F10. It will boot from your medium. Don't be alarmed if there are missing letters on the screen. We'll fix that later.

2. Before partitioning
I have always had a problem with the dmraid module interfering with the partitioning software, so I disable it (even if using 'read-only' media) via:
1. Type <ctrl><alt>t to bring up a terminal.
2. Type in sudo su to become root.
3. Type apt-get remove dmraid to remove the offender.
4. Close the terminal.

3. Partitioning
Click on the “Install ubuntu” desktop icon (double click) or the one on the left bar (single click). [Note that sometimes the two desktop icons are on top of each other.] Follow through to the partitioning. How you do that is entirely up to you. Personally I have separate /, /boot, and /home partitions, but one big one is fine. After partitioning, ubuntu loads everything, then reboots.

4. Finishing
When the machine reboots, it will be via the newly-installed grub boot loader on the hard drive. The default entry will be “*Ubuntu” on the first line. When you see that, you'll have to repeat the steps in part one above by pressing the letter e and editing the 'linux' line.
Violà! You've booted into your native linux… but you're not done yet.
Become the superuser root again, either by step 2's method or your own, and edit the file:
/etc/default/grub
To the line that starts “GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX” add the following:
quiet splash pcie_aspm=off
then as root issue update-grub or in a normal terminal sudo update-grub
You will no longer have to edit command lines in grub.

The final step is to load video drivers. Unfortunately, version 15.10 hasn't caught up with the
newer hardware, so you'll have to install the NVIDIA ones. If you object to tainting your
pure linux system, you will probably be able to go back to open drivers in version 16.04.
For now, from a terminal type: sudo apt-get install nvidia-352
Done.
You can now boot as you would normally.

taylorkh · 02-29-2016, 08:12 PM

Thanks hnchrist3,

I have come across the information regarding pcie_aspm=off fixing the XPS 8900. The Z170 chip set is alleged to be the culprit.

Ken