[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Trouble with installing Ubuntu on used ThinkPad

[Ryan Mack]

Usually Ubuntu has a few different kernel options. I would recommend
googling "ubuntu hwe kernel" where HWE stands for "HardWare Enablement".
Usually that will give you a newer kernel that has more recent drivers.
Might fix your issue. If that doesn't, then I would suggest googling the
specific device names as well, you can usually get that from running
"lspci" or "cat /proc/devices".

On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 1:15 PM Shaun Keller via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
wrote:

> Hi Nelson,
>
> I can't debug your problem directly. I would google "lenovo thinkpad x1
> yoga g4 linux bluetooth not working".
>
> My experience shows that different Linux distributions can
> behave differently. Because it is not difficult to install Linux, you might
> try one of two other distros. Slackware sometimes works for me when other
> options don't. You could also look here
> https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/1bfgery/which_linux_distro/
>
> Shaun Keller
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 1:01 PM Nelson Caldwell via LCTG <
> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
>> Hi Folks,
>> I'm wondering if anyone can comment on a particular problem I am having
>> installing Ubuntu on a used Thinkpad. Because this is pretty specific,
>> I'm going to leave some blank spaces here so that non-interested parties
>> can quickly delete this message without any further reading.
>>
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>> Here's the story. I haven't used Linux at home for a while, so I'm a bit
>> rusty but am otherwise familiar with the linux operating system and
>> setups. I bought a used Thinkpad  from BackMarket, really from "Deluxe
>> PCs." Here are the specs:
>> Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga G4 14-inch (2019) - Core I7-8665U - 16 GB - SSD 1
>> TB
>> so a moderate powered laptop with a large disk - pretty vanilla. It's in
>> good shape as far as appearance goes.
>>
>> I made a new Ubuntu installation USB stick, and installation was mostly
>> ok. The issue is that Bluetooth does not work. What happens is that when
>> I enable bluetooth either with F10 or the setting menu, the video goes
>> haywire, with the screen flashing on and off and noisy, making the
>> computer useless. Sometimes bluetooth is automatically disabled,
>> sometimes I have to disable it (F10).  I have had excellent help from
>> Deluxe Pcs, but he is convinced the problem is software (missing drivers
>> or other). while I think it's hardware.
>>
>> If I try to attach a bluetooth mouse while bluetooth is enabled, I can
>> see that indeed the cursor can be moved by the mouse (in between
>> flashing screens), so that's also weird.
>>
>> Perhaps unrelated, but the audio is pretty bad, compared to say a
>> Macbook, but that may be typical for all I know.
>>
>> So does anyone have any comments, or can recommend a path to
>> resolution?  I've been ready to ship the thing back but haven't
>> convinced the vendor yet to accept it.
>>
>> thanks a million!
>> Nelson Caldwell
>> 2 Aerial St
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