Unable to install 20.04 LTS on Intel NUC 10i3FNH

Question

I am unable to boot using Live CD (USB) install for 20.04 LTS.

System Configuration:

Intel NUC10i3FNH Gigabyte m.2 2280 SSD 256GB 1 x 16GB HyperX SODIMM 2666MHz

Screenshot below

Bootscreen

Any ideas what to do?

/Uffe

Answer 1

I finally got my NUC10i7FNH operational with Ubuntu 20.04. I disabled lots of stuff in the BIOS (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, HDMI TV controls), but the big one that finally worked was turning off Intel Turbo Boost Technology on the Performance → Processor page.

I went back later and started enabling all the items I had recently disabled. The boot failed, so there is a combination of settings that worked. My changes were all on the Advanced tab in the BIOS, and the one checkbox on the Processor page.

Answer 2

It looks like the actual solution to this problem is to switch from RST to AHCI in the BIOS Storage settings.

I found this out by attempting to install Ubuntu 21.04 Desktop edition. The graphical installer popped a warning and directed me to this page that explains the issue.

Once I made that BIOS change, the 20.04 LTS Server installer worked as expected.

FWIW, I have a NUC10i7FNHJA and previously upgraded the BIOS and firmware.

Answer 3

I also had a lot of problems running Ubuntu 20.04 TLS, I bought NUC10FNK, the problems I had was related to the disk, type M2, I installed several times, with different USBs and different files, each time different errors, mainly had a read-only filesystem error...

This is the configuration in which it worked for me in the end:

Changes I made to the BIOS:

I turned off all the features I did not need such as - Bluetooth, HDMI CEC ...

In STORAGE I turned off the SMART SELF TEST and after installing the OS, I changed the SATA MODE from AHCI to RAID ...

In the process of installing the UBUNTU:

I chose a minimal installation, deleted the disk, and did the installation without internet connections...

Now it seems to be working...

Answer 4

I strongly suspect your USB hardware — the flash drive or any hubs you may be using — to be the culprit. I have successfully installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (server version) with no issue on an Intel NUC10i3FNH with an m.2 SSD (Western Digital in my case). Those USB errors indicate that something isn't communicating properly between the OS and the USB hardware; I've seen them before on NUC 7's, and it's indicative of a failing USB device or port.

1. Make sure you're plugging the USB drive directly into the NUC's built-in USB ports — no hubs, cables, et cetera; this includes Type C-to-A adapters (or vice versa)
2. I've noticed that USB ports on the NUCs tend to be very snug, so make sure your drive is inserted fully (turn off the NUC, remove the drive, reinsert firmly, try again)
3. Try the USB drive in another port. The NUC10s have three USB type A and two type C ports, so you definitely have a choice no matter what sort of drive you're using (please tell me you're not using the SD card slot? LOL)
4. Try a different flash drive. Even if you only have one fast flash drive and the rest are slow, try a slow one just to see if it works successfully. Also, if your flash drive is USB 2.0, try a USB 3.0 drive if possible, and vice versa.

The company I work for has deployed literally thousands of NUC 7 devices across the United States and India, and we are working on upgrading to NUC 10s... so I've had lots of hands-on experience with this hardware and all its quirks and foibles (much to Intel's dismay, because I harass them about it ).