Qubes install failed on Dell XPS device

User Support Hardware Issues
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Hey everyone!

I recently got a new laptop for my Qubes setup— a Dell XPS 13’ 9350. I’ve used a similar XPS model for a couple of years without any issues (no camera, but that was never something I used anyway). However, I’m having trouble installing it this time. Neither the forum search, Google, nor the documentation has helped me find a solution.

Here’s the issue: When I try to install via the regular “install qubes” option, it freezes right after “mounting tmp.mount.” I’ve gone through various fixes in the UEFI section of the documentation, but nothing has worked.

Next, I tried the “install with latest kernel” option. It progresses a bit further before hitting “X startup failed.” Yet again, I couldn’t find a workaround in this forum or the documentation (maybe I’m just not understanding how to apply them?). Looking through /tmp/X.log, I can see it’s struggling to find valid screens and has an issue with something called VESA. The log mentions “V_BIOS address out of range.”

So, what can I do to resolve this? I specifically chose this model because of my past success with Qubes on XPS devices, and I intentionally picked one with just a regular Intel processor—no separate GPU, only the onboard one. I really don’t want to end up having to buy a different laptop.

I’m an advanced user, by the way, so I’m ready to dive in and fix whatever needs fixing. I just need to get this working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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What version of Qubes OS are you installing?

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Tried 4.2.0, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3.
4.2.0 Allowed me to go past the post-install screen where you configure the basic qubes, but then it gets stuck on boot. Trying to open a TTY and starting X via cli gets me to the same issue (no devices).

Trying to run with “splash nomodeset” via grub gets me a bit further, but it gets stuck on “waiting for plymouth”

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Are you willing to try 4.3?

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Very much so, yes. Assuming it is stable enough for daily use, that is.

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Go ahead and let us know if 4.3 works for you.

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Hi Everyone,

I just bought a Dell XPS 13 and I simply love this tiny device.
I’m trying to run Qubes OS 4.3.0-rc3 on it and could use some guidance.

Hardware (new 9350 model):

Intel Core Ultra (Lunar Lake), iGPU Arc/Xe2

Intel Killer BE201 (Wi-Fi 7)

BIOS: Secure Boot off, VT-x/VT-d on. (Audio disabled.)

Base install of 4.3.0 rc3 with the stock kernel works till first reboot. So it doesn’t start the Qubes specific Setup.

First boot then hangs at Starting lightdm.service / plymouth-quit-wait.service.

With kernel-latest, (4.3.0 rc3) the installer won’t even start.

I’ve seen massive SOF audio spam in dmesg:
sof-audio-pci-intel-lnl … HDMI/iDisp … ASoC… -22

I Tried:

GRUB params (variously):

nomodeset rd.driver.blacklist=xe i915.modeset=0

Disabled Audio in BIOS.

Still can’t reach a stable graphical login.

Does anyone have a working HCL/recipe for Lunar Lake + Xe2 on Qubes 4.3 (or close: Meteor/Arrow Lake)?

Which dom0 kernel and exact GRUB line made it boot?

Any Xorg config (to force a safe driver) that works for you?

@rematch : did you manage to install it on your device?

Thanks a lot for any pointers or configs you can share!

— Tim

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The first thing I try on a troublesome install is turning off the wifi and Bluetooth in the bios

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Just for any one who is trying the same: I had luck wit 4.2 (NOT kernel latest). It installed completely, including the cubes setup. Now I am at least all booted up completely in qubes.

I have not done much testing right now. I see the Wi-Fi isn’t working. It this was expected. Next thin I will do is updating the qubes. Wish me luck! :wink:

Tim

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The fact wifi is not working makes me think it might be what I commented above. Since it’s not working anyway, perhaps try 4.3rc install with wifi off in bios ?

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I tried this. The installation crashed…

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