Thinkpad W541 : Ubuntu problem "mmc0 unknown controller version(3)"

[shrm]

Hello all,

I got my Thinkpad W541 with MS-DOS (well there was nothing to boot actually, which was strange but I didn't mind since I had a copy of Windows 8.1 ready) a few days back. This my first Thinkpad and I am trying to explore it completely. I am a Linux fan so obviously want to install Ubuntu ( or some other flavor) on it.

When I boot the machine using a bootable USB having Ubuntu image, I get the following error at boot time:

"mmc0 unknown controller version(3), You may experience problems"

And sure enough I do. The Ubuntu welcome screen shows up having two options, Try Ubuntu or Install Ubuntu.

From this point on, nothing works. I choose Try Ubuntu option and it just stays there forever. I didn't dare to choose install option so far since I have read some posts about people bricking their Thinkpads trying to install Linux (not saying the same issue applies here, just wanted to be safe). 

Does anyone have anyidea what is going on and what is the solution ? Has anyone with a W541 succesfully installed Linux so far?

Best,

shrm

[jaakkoh]

I have a W540 and had pretty much exactly the same problem(s) as you described. I've detailed the solution that allowed me to get Ubuntu booting and installed -- and have also described what problems I now have. See my post in AskUbuntu.

Being in this situation sucks as part of why I bought the computer was that Lenovo laptops would be Ubuntu compatible. .. Clearly not all of them -- at least not fully/fluently.

Oh well, with the simple enough instructions to add the acpi=off kernel parameter I've now been able to at least install Ubuntu on the machine. Too bad that the internal keyboard/touchpad don't work and that there are issues with powering down / rebooting the machine (and I also noticed that Suspend is missing from the Shutdown options -- which sucks more than the two above). Step-by-step, I guess...

[david_flory]

I have the same problem. Ubuntu 15.04 reports: "mmc0 unknown controller version(3), You may experience problems" and will not run or install. The W541 is not on Ubuntu's list of certified laptops. The W540 is. There are reports of problems on the Ubuntu forums as well as here. Neither is being helpful.

[david_flory]

I have found a complete solution to installing Ubuntu 15.04 on a ThinkPad W541.  It is discussed in detail in the following blog:  https://mbogochow.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/linux-on-a-lenovo-thinkpad-w541/