Using Etcher on Mac or Linux

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 26 views

Introduction

Installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M can be a challenging task, especially when working in BIOS Legacy Mode. However, with the right guide and a bit of patience, you can successfully install Ubuntu on your iMac. In this article, we will walk you through the process of installing Ubuntu 20.04 on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M in BIOS Legacy Mode.

Preparation

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

An iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M
A USB drive with at least 8GB of free space
A copy of Ubuntu 20.04
A computer with a working internet connection
A USB cable to connect your iMac to a computer

Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive

To install Ubuntu, you will need to create a bootable USB drive. This can be done using a tool like Rufus on a Windows computer or Etcher on a Mac or Linux computer.

Using Rufus on Windows

Download and install Rufus from the official website.
Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space.
Open Rufus and select the USB drive as the target device.
Click on the "Create a bootable disk using" dropdown menu and select "ISO Image".
Navigate to the location of the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO file and select it.
Click on the "Start" button to begin the process.
Wait for the process to complete. This may take several minutes.

Using Etcher on Mac or Linux

Download and install Etcher from the official website.
Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space.
Open Etcher and select the USB drive as the target device.
Click on the "Select image" button and navigate to the location of the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO file.
Click on the "Flash!" button to begin the process.
Wait for the process to complete. This may take several minutes.

Step 2: Enter BIOS Legacy Mode

To install Ubuntu in BIOS Legacy Mode, you will need to enter the BIOS settings on your iMac. This can be done by pressing the following keys during boot:

F2 (or F4 on some iMacs)
Del (or F12 on some iMacs)

Once you are in the BIOS settings, look for the "Boot" or "Advanced" tab and select the USB drive as the first boot device.

Step 3: Install Ubuntu

With the USB drive selected as the first boot device, save the changes and exit the BIOS settings. Your iMac will now boot from the USB drive and display the Ubuntu installer.

Language and Keyboard Selection

Select your language and keyboard layout.
Click on the "Continue" button to proceed.

Installation Type

Select the installation type: "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" or "Something else".
Click on the "Continue" button to proceed.

Disk Selection

Select the disk to install Ubuntu on.
Click on the "Continue" button to proceed.

Installation

Wait for the installation process to complete. This may take several minutes.
Click on the "Restart now" button to reboot your iMac.

Step 4: Configure NVIDIA Drivers

Once you have installed Ubuntu, you will need to configure the NVIDIA drivers to work with your GTX 775M.

Installing NVIDIA Drivers

Open a terminal and run the following command: sudo apt-get update
Run the following command: sudo apt-get install nvidia-graphics-drivers-460
Reboot your iMac to apply the changes.

Configuring NVIDIA Drivers

Open the NVIDIA X Server Settings application.
Select the GTX 775M as the display device.
Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.

Conclusion

Installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M in BIOS Legacy Mode can be a challenging task, but with the right guide and a bit of patience, you can successfully install Ubuntu on your iMac. Remember to prepare the USB drive, enter BIOS Legacy Mode, install Ubuntu, and configure the NVIDIA drivers to work with your GTX 775M.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

Make sure the USB drive is properly formatted and has enough free space.
Check the BIOS settings to ensure the USB drive is selected as the first boot device.
If the installation process fails, try reinstalling Ubuntu.
If the NVIDIA drivers are not working properly, try reinstalling the drivers or updating the kernel.

Additional Resources

For more information on installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M, refer to the following resources:

Ubuntu Forums: https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2209602
NVIDIA Documentation: https://docs.nvidia.com/cuda/cuda-installation-guide-mac-os-x/index.html
iMac 2013 User Guide: https://support.apple.com/manuals/imac-2013

Q: What is BIOS Legacy Mode?

A: BIOS Legacy Mode is a mode in which the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) operates in a legacy or traditional way, rather than in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) mode. This mode is typically used for older systems or systems that do not support UEFI.

Q: Why do I need to install Ubuntu in BIOS Legacy Mode?

A: The iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M requires BIOS Legacy Mode to install Ubuntu. This is because the system's BIOS does not support UEFI, and Ubuntu requires UEFI to install properly.

Q: What are the system requirements for installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M?

A: The system requirements for installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M are:

iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M
8GB of RAM or more
256GB of free disk space or more
A USB drive with at least 8GB of free space
A copy of Ubuntu 20.04

Q: How do I prepare the USB drive for installing Ubuntu?

A: To prepare the USB drive for installing Ubuntu, you will need to create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus on a Windows computer or Etcher on a Mac or Linux computer.

Q: What are the steps to install Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M in BIOS Legacy Mode?

A: The steps to install Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M in BIOS Legacy Mode are:

Prepare the USB drive for installing Ubuntu.
Enter BIOS Legacy Mode on the iMac.
Select the USB drive as the first boot device.
Install Ubuntu on the iMac.
Configure the NVIDIA drivers to work with the GTX 775M.

Q: How do I configure the NVIDIA drivers to work with the GTX 775M?

A: To configure the NVIDIA drivers to work with the GTX 775M, you will need to:

Open a terminal and run the command sudo apt-get update.
Run the command sudo apt-get install nvidia-graphics-drivers-460.
Reboot the iMac to apply the changes.
Open the NVIDIA X Server Settings application.
Select the GTX 775M as the display device.
Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.

Q: What are some common issues that may arise during the installation process?

A: Some common issues that may arise during the installation process include:

The USB drive is not properly formatted or does not have enough free space.
The BIOS settings are not set correctly.
The installation process fails due to a hardware issue.
The NVIDIA drivers are not working properly.

Q: Where can I find additional resources for installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M?

A: Additional resources for installing Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M can be found at:

Ubuntu Forums: https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2209602
NVIDIA Documentation: https://docs.nvidia.com/cuda/cuda-installation-guide-mac-os-x/index.html
iMac 2013 User Guide: https://support.apple.com/manuals/imac-2013

Q: Can I install Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M in UEFI mode?

A: No, the iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M does not support UEFI mode, and therefore, Ubuntu cannot be installed in UEFI mode.

Q: Is it possible to install Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M without using a USB drive?

A: No, it is not possible to install Ubuntu on an iMac 2013 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M without using a USB drive. The system requires a bootable USB drive to install Ubuntu.