DELL XPS 15 9560 Ubuntu Respin

Overview

Collection of scripts and tweaks to adapt Ubuntu and Linux Mint ISO images to let them run smooth on Dell XPS 15 9560. This might work on other Dell XPS too.

All informations, tips and tricks was gathered from:

• tomwwright gist for DELL XPS 15 9560
• Atheros wifi card fix
• Respin script and info

Kudos and all the credits for things not related to my work go to developers and users on those pages!

What Works Out-of-the-Box

• ✔ Wifi (Atheros models too)
• ✔ Audio
• ✔ Audio on HDMI
• ✔ HDMI ( even on lid closed )
• ✔ Nvidia/Intel graphic cards switch
• ✔ Touchpad gestures
• ✔ Keyboard backlight
• ✔ Display brightness
• ✔ Sleep/wake
• ✔ No random freeze or kernel panics

What Doesn't Work at the Moment

• Not known for the moment

Download an Already Respun ISO

Download ISO from Release page

And follow guide from Step 4: Install and Update

Overview for Building and Respinning an ISO

1. Clone the repo and install necessary tools
2. Download your ISO of choice
3. Respin the ISO (it many take a about 30 minutes or even longer)
4. Install OS and run post-install commands

Respin iso with Docker

Click here for the Docker building section

Build and respin without Docker

Step 1: Cloning the Repo and Installing Tools

To respin an existing Ubuntu ISO, you will need to use a Linux machine with some packages like squashfs-tools and xorriso installed (e.g. sudo apt install -y squashfs-tools xorriso) and a working internet connection. Script require at least 10GB of free storage space.

The first step is to clone this repo:

git clone https://github.com/stockmind/dell-xps-9560-ubuntu-respin.git
cd gpd-pocket-ubuntu-respin/

Debian-based systems:

Install all the required packages:

sudo apt install -y git wget genisoimage bc squashfs-tools xorriso

Arch-Based Systems:

Install all the required packages:

sudo pacman -S git wget cdrkit bc libisoburn squashfs-tools dosfstools

Step 2: Download your ISO of Choice

Download your favourite distribution ISO and copy it in this repository cloned folder.

Step 3: Build Your Respun ISO

Run ./build.sh script as specified for your desired distro. If you built your own kernel, the build script wiill extract the kernels you zipped and install during respin.

Build on Debian-based systems:

• Build ISO running this:

./build.sh <iso filename>

Or:

./build.sh <iso filename> -k <kernelversion>

If you don't set a -k flag, the latest mainline kernel will be installed during respin.

Value for -k flag can be any of the Ubuntu Kernel Team kernel builds located at http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline and is passed as the directory or folder name without the trailing

Build on Arch-based systems:

• Build ISO running this:

PATH=/usr/sbin:/sbin:/bin:$PATH ./build.sh <iso filename>

Or:

PATH=/usr/sbin:/sbin:/bin:$PATH ./build.sh <iso filename> -k <kernelversion>

If you don't set a -k flag, the latest mainline kernel will be installed during respin.

Value for -k flag can be any of the Ubuntu Kernel Team kernel builds located at http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline and is passed as the directory or folder name without the trailing

Step 4: Install and Update

Boot ISO from USB device

I sugget Etcher to write ISO on usb flash drives. It's fast, reliable and multi-platform.

Boot system using one time boot menu. Disable Secure boot in bios to boot from the ISO.

Post-install

These commands should be run after the first boot.

sudo tlp start
sudo powertop --auto-tune

Switch from one graphic card to the other

Intel:

sudo prime-select intel

Nvidia:

sudo prime-select nvidia

Note: A logout and login could be required when switching graphic cards.

Build with Docker

You can respin iso and build kernels on a Docker environment easily. This build system will likely work on any x86 Docker supported platform. Tested and working on Linux and MacOS, builds on Windows not tested yet.

You just need to build the Docker image, or download it from Docker Hub, and follow the steps below.

1a. Download image from Docker Hub

docker pull stockmind/dell-xps-9560-ubuntu-respin

1b. Or build the Docker image locally

Clone repository and run the following script to build the docker image

./docker-build-image.sh

Once the image is ready you can choose from the following steps:

2a. Respin ISO

To respin an ISO you need to place desired ISO in origin/ folder of this repository then run:

./docker-respin.sh <iso-file-name>

./docker-respin.sh <iso-file-name> -k <kernelversion>

Example:

./docker-respin.sh origin/ubuntu-17.10.1-desktop-amd64.iso

Or:

./docker-respin.sh origin/xubuntu-17.10.1-desktop-amd64.iso -k v4.15.4

If you don't set a -k flag, the latest mainline kernel will be used.

Value for -k flag can be any of the Ubuntu Kernel Team kernel builds located at http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline and is passed as the directory or folder name without the trailing

Let it run, it will take from 10 to 30 minutes based on your internet connection and system speed. Once done you will find output ISO in destination/ folder of this repository.

If you are using the Docker Hub image remember to always pull latest version before running any of those scripts!

docker pull stockmind/dell-xps-9560-ubuntu-respin

Donate

If my work helped you consider a little donation to buy me a coffe... or an energy drink! 😄

Paypal

Bitcoin