Is it possible to set up dual boot (with Ubuntu 18.04 and Windows 10) in Inspiron 5482 laptop?

I don't know about your model, but to dual boot ubuntu/any linux you need to have windows installed in UEFI mode. Otherwise it dosen't work. If you have windows installed in legacy mode then you may have to reinstall windows in UEFI mode for the dual boot to work.

->Both OS should be in same mode. You cant have one OS in UEFI and one in Legacy.

->Be careful to backup EFI partition(100MB) of your computer in case you erase it. EFI partition contains the boot loader to boot into windows. If you delete it you cant boot into windows unless you create another EFI partition and copy the backed-up files in EFI partition.

-> After installation you will get an error while booting(happened in kali linux, not sure about ubuntu) because of the NVIDIA card. You need to add nouveau.modeset=0 to the boot params before booting. You will find lots of videos about it in youtube.

Let me know if you have any more doubts.

Thanks a lot for your reply. Is it a good idea to format Windows first (using a bootable USB stick with Ubuntu) and then install Ubuntu and then again re-install Windows?

Regards,

Ananya

I never tried that, so I can't talk on that. 

I feel there is no need to format the drive.

->create Ubuntu bootable usb.

->disable secure boot in bios

->boot into Ubuntu live. If you see an error while booting use nouveau.modeset=0 before booting in Ubuntu. Take a backup of efi partition in case something happens.

->Install Ubuntu.

->after install and restart you need to use the nouveau.modeset=0. It is required to disable the Nvidia driver for Ubuntu to boot. I don't know the reason for that. Also everytime you restart you need to write the command while on grub(as mentioned above). So for that you need to run the command sudo update-grub after booting into Ubuntu for the chances to take effect.

->enjoy.

AnanyaJ,

Unfortunately, Dell does not support Ubuntu on this computer. We have no Ubuntu drivers available for download.  

Follow-up - I found a KB article about Dual boot of Dell systems with Ubuntu and Windows

• This implies some success with some limits on warranty coverage.
• See "How to Install Ubuntu and Windows 8 or 10 as a Dual Boot on your Dell PC" at  https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln301754/how-to-install-ubuntu-and-windows-8-or-10-as-a-dual-boot-on-your-dell-pc?lang=en

> Unfortunately, Dell does not support Ubuntu on this computer. We have no Ubuntu drivers available for download. 

Thanks for the head's up, Jesse.  I have two questions:

1. Does the lack of Dell-available drivers mean that there are no drivers from another reliable source, or just that Dell has not taken on the task of qualifying and supporting drivers for this system?

2. Are there other Dell laptops with support for dual boot into Windows and some Linux?

Hello...

Similarly can you also please clarify the availability of drivers for ubuntu 18.04 in Dell inspiron 15 3511..

and also Teach us how we can verify driver compatibility before install ubuntu os