I have just received a new Framework 16 AI 9 HX370 with 64GB RAM and a 2TB SN850X and a 2TB SN770 NMVE. On Reddit I was told to use the live image https://cdn77.cachyos.org/ISO/desktop/251209/cachyos-desktop-linux-251209.iso to install.
I created a boot USB, disabled Secureboot and booted from the stick (I selected “CachyOS” and not “CachyOS (LTS)”) and on the install desktop I select the German Keyboard and connect to WiFi.
Proceeding with the installer has produced mixed results. In the first two attempts it froze up during the file-system selection (I picked install on the 870 NMVE) and disk-encryption or already when selecting the input mode where I just pressed the various keys to confirm that it is the correct keyboard model.
This morning I tried again and this time the installer went beyond the file-system configuration and started to install, but visibly stalled at 15% and the whole GUI is not responsive/locked up. Only a power down is possible.
I also did a firmware upgrade afterwards, but have not been able to complete a install without CachyOS locking up. I am unsure how to retrieve diagnostic information as I can not get access to the system anymore.
Tonight I will do a hardware test, but wanted to ask here if I missed something (maybe in BIOS or otherwise). Is the suggested ISO choice the right choice? How can I get diagnostic information?
The suggestion to use that specific iso came from here: Since Framework partnered with CachyOS is there better support for their hardware? : r/cachyos (tonight I will also try the “stock-ISO”).
I haven’t used CachyOS, so I am not familiar with it.
Here are some suggestions:
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Run it on the Live USB stick and check that wifi works and you have reliable internet access. Run speed tests, maybe YouTube and look for dropouts or freezing, which would point towards some kind of unreliable internet connection.
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It will have some kind of “info Centre” or hardware manager (GUI) that should give you an idea if it sees all the hardware. They should be there even on the Live USB.
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Try Fedora Live USB as I know that it works, as I am running Fedora KDE Plasma and both, the Live USB and install worked flawless.
Thanks. WiFi is reliable as I played some Youtube videos to check the sound. As said, CachyOS locks up even after just remaining on the keyboard-selection screen where I tested the keybindings.
I am planning to try Fedora 43 Spin tonight. I have also cross-posted in the Cachy Discourse and will update here if I have found the root-cause. FWIW - here some feedback from the developers > Framework16 laptop freezing during install - #2 by ptr1337 - Issues & Assistance - CachyOS Forum
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Excellent, so X11 appears to be the main culprit. I would try his suggestion first. You got nothing to loose.
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gpu nomodeset when choosing which one to boot. It will work fine after (at least 13 does)
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I also had random freezes when attempting to install CachyOS on the AMD AI 370 (no external GPU, just integrated graphics).
Several errors misleadingly pointed to the AMD gpu driver. My actual problem was the Wifi card which was unstable. It was also unstable in several other Linux distros I tried.
I simply replaced it with an Intel AX210 which was only around 20 GBP and has long had good Linux support. I had no more random freezes.
FWIW: The issue was with the CachyOS ISO. It was corrected. There is no issue with WiFi card etc.
That’s good. Maybe I had a dodgy wifi card as it was unstable in several distros. Cheap to replace so I didn’t bother support with it.
I was able to install CachyOS only in legacy mode. It randomly freezes during install. But after installation everything works fine.