I have a Desktop PC with an Intel H87 chipset (Intel DH878RL board, in case that matters), a CPU with integrated graphics and a dedicated NVidia GeForce 560Ti. Both are connected to the same display, because I only ever want to use one of them at a time. Please note that my monitor automatically switches inputs if the current input doesn't have a signal.
My system is using Grub2 in UEFI mode. I want to use the Intel integrated graphics for Linux, but have to keep the NVidia card as the primary because Windows does not properly disable the Intel GPU before I log in (see Windows: Use Intel Onboard GPU for bootup, then switch to NVidia).
Windows boots fine, regardless of how th graphics cards are configured in UEFI setup. However, Linux fails to boot if both GPUs are enabled and the NVidia is set as the primary GPU.
Different configurations I tried
Primary GPU: Intel;
Kernel: Intel driver compiled in
Boots OKPrimary GPU: Intel;
Kernel: Both Nouveau and Intel compiled in
Boots OK, using Intel driverPrimary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics disabled
Kernel: Nouveau driver compiled in
Boots up OKPrimary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics disabled
Kernel: Intel and Nouveau drivers compiled in
Boots up OK, using Nouveau driverPrimary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics disabled
Kernel: No graphics drivers nor framebufer drivers selected
Boots up OK, does of course not display anything but allows me to connect via SSH and reboot via Ctrl+Alt+DeletePrimary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics enabled
Kernel: Nouveau driver compiled in
Does not boot, showing no message at all.Primary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics enabled
Kernel: Intel and Nouveau drivers compiled in
Does not boot, showing no message at all.Primary GPU: NVidia, integrated graphics enabled
Kernel: No graphics drivers nor framebufer drivers selected
Does not boot
How can I make the kernel boot (Bonus question: and use the Intel GPU) when the NVidia card is set as primary and the Intel GPU is enabled?
Please note: I know that I can use the Nouveau drivers, but I would prefer not to, because they exhibit severe performance issues, even in 2D mode. Setting the Intel GPU as primary is also not an option, unless someone can answer Windows: Use Intel Onboard GPU for bootup, then switch to NVidia.