Install/Configure NVideo (with optimus) on Ubuntu

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So you got your shiny new laptop with a decent card and wouldn't you know it...it's not working properly or it's performance is shoddy at best. After having to re-install Ubuntu 3 times I've decided to write a quick post...

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Published 2013-05-23 on legacy zcourts.com. Estimated reading time: 1 min.

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So you got your shiny new laptop with a decent card and wouldn't you know it...it's not working properly or it's performance is shoddy at best. After having to re-install Ubuntu 3 times I've decided to write a quick post with the commands I used to get my battery to go from 20 mins to 3hrs...yes, that's how much difference it makes!

First thing you need is BumbleBee. Install it with

1.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable

2.

sudo apt-get update

3.

Install Bumblebee using the default proprietary nvidia driver:sudo apt-get install bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia virtualgl linux-headers-generic

There is a little power management tool under the bumblebee project, install it with

1.

<code>sudo apt-get install acpidump iasl dmidecode</code>

Once installed the graphics card still shows up as "unknown" in settings so to get it identified you need to install messa-utils with.

1.

sudo apt-get install messa-utils

Now reboot, enjoy your battery life and glorious HD screen (if you have one :D)

Quick and painless when you know...pain in the rear when you don't...

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