My Thinkpad X201 has never caused an issue when installing any version of Linux or, more specifically, Ubuntu.


Indeed, it has a fully functioning Arch install on it right now. I installed this last night to see whether the issues I am experiencing with Ubuntu 22.04 were replicated in another distro. I also tested a full Slackware 15 install and had no issues.


When I boot from USB and try Ubuntu, the system freezes. Totally. I can't access an alternative tty. The .iso is fine (I checked) and will boot in safe graphics mode.


I installed Ubuntu from my successful boot but the system freezes at GDM, or, on the occasions that I can log in, it quickly freezes. Total freeze.

edit
I am using Xorg and not Wayland


I was warned by the installation process that I don't have an EFI partition but I don't think I need one with my Thinkpad X201. Again, Arch and Slackware (with Lilo) work perfectly.


I don't particularly want to keep Arch (I will if I have to) and I want to stay with Ubuntu on this laptop.


Am I not seeing something?

You can always try to add nomodeset to the boot command line.

I'm not familiar with this particular thinkpad model but from the model number I assume it's not the newest anymore.
I have noticed in the past that Ubuntu is not very good with old computers.

FWIW, I have Archlinux on my x250 and perfectly happy.

Thanks for this. I think you are right. I had tried this before but, for some reason, it didn't work. I can only guess that in my rage and frustration at the rare failure of an Ubuntu (or any Linux) install, I mistyped the boot parameter.



You are correct in saying that the X201 is not the newest laptop. It's from 2010. I love the keyboard though and, with a bigger battery, it does all of my on the move tasks.


Now that Arch is on the X201, I may leave it. I think only I wanted Ubuntu 22.04 so that I could spend a little time moaning and grumbling about Firefox only being a snap on the default install


Thanks for your help!

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Got the same on "Thinkpad X201 Tablet". Fix by inset "nomodeset" option into kernel boot line as described ob dell support site:
dell.com support 000123893/manual-nomodeset-kernel-boot-line-option-for-linux-booting.

I got one happy day with working notebook, but next day I got another error - "intel ips failed to disable graphics turbo" fills screen infinite, no desktop login.
Text console available, login is possible, but infinite error message prevent any work.

Similar case on AskUbuntu

I migrated from MX Linux 19.4 to Xubuntu 22.04 on my Lenovo Thinkpad X201 because Xubuntu supported USB tethering to my new iPhone SE2 and MX Linux didn't... MX Linux worked fine with my old iPhone 5s but no dice with USB tethering to the new iPhone SE2 ... with the previous MX Linux configuration I could get on to WIFI after much fiddling and 4 letter expletives but no "wired connection" ...the X201 now running Xubuntu 22.04 and the iPhone SE2 are working perfectly together ... USB tethering recognition and data flow is pretty much "instantaneous" as soon as I attach the USB bus to connect them ...the only "non-problem" is the X201s touchscreen will not work on Xubuntu 22.04 (it did when the X201 was running MX Linux 19.4) ...I call this a non-problem because I never used the touch screen anyway ... everything on the X201 works perfectly running Xubuntu ... I think I will take the win and leave well enough alone