Rog Ally X Z1 Extreme - Detailed Install and Maintenance Steps

I’m still an Arch/Cachyos noob. Couldn’t find any specific instructions on my install process, So I worked through it with Claude and got these instructions. So far everything is working “out of the box”!

FIRST

Make sure you have a keyboard and mouse. Much easier.

Install: Claude Artifact
Maintenance: Claude Artifact

Install

ROG Ally CachyOS Installation Guide

Prerequisites

  • USB drive or external SSD
  • CachyOS Handheld Gaming Edition ISO
  • Ventoy for creating bootable drive

Initial Setup

  1. Install Ventoy on USB/SSD:
sudo pacman -S ventoy          # If not installed
sudo ventoy -i /dev/sdX -s -g GPT

Important: Use the entire drive (e.g., /dev/sda, not /dev/sda1)

  1. Format and mount if needed:
sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sdX1
sudo mount -t vfat /dev/sdX1 /mnt/ventoy
  1. Copy ISO:
sudo cp path/to/cachyos.iso /mnt/ventoy/
sudo umount /mnt/ventoy

BIOS Setup

  1. Power + Vol Down to enter BIOS
  2. Disable Secure Boot
  3. Set boot priority to your USB/SSD
  4. Save and exit

Installation Process

  1. Boot Selection:

    • Choose normal mode (not GRUB2)
    • Select x86_64 kernel (not Zen)
    • Do not select NVIDIA options (ROG Ally uses AMD)
  2. Partitioning:

    • Select “Erase disk” for clean install
    • Use BTRFS filesystem
    • System will create:
      • /boot (EFI partition)
      • / (root partition with BTRFS subvolumes)
  3. Time/Region Settings:

    • Set appropriate timezone
    • Enable NTP for time synchronization
  4. User Setup:

    • Create user account
    • Set passwords

Post-Installation

  1. Verify Boot Files:
ls /mnt/EFI
# Should show: BOOT, Linux, systemd
  1. Initial Boot:

    • System will boot into Steam console mode
    • Exit to desktop using Steam button + Menu
  2. Essential Packages:

paru -S ryzenadj-git handygccs corectrl

Common Issues and Solutions

Time Synchronization Error

If you see GPG key errors about time being in the future:

sudo timedatectl set-ntp true
sudo hwclock --systohc

Boot Issues

  • Always verify EFI entries before rebooting
  • Keep installation media handy for recovery
  • System uses systemd-boot, not GRUB

Installation Failures

Common causes:

  • Secure boot not disabled
  • Time synchronization issues
  • Partition mount failures

Important Notes

  • Don’t use NVIDIA drivers (AMD hardware)
  • HandyGCCS is preferred over handycon
  • CoreCtrl and RyzenAdj can work together
  • Steam Deck UI updates are beneficial

Next Steps

  1. Configure TDP settings with RyzenAdj
  2. Set up HandyGCCS for controller mapping
  3. Configure power profiles in CoreCtrl
  4. Install Steam games

System Maintenance

Follow the maintenance guide for:

  • Regular updates
  • System snapshots
  • Package management

Recovery Options

  1. Boot from USB if system won’t start
  2. Access previous snapshots from boot menu
  3. Use systemd-boot menu for recovery options

Remember:

  • Always have a backup bootable drive
  • Save working configurations
  • Check CachyOS news before updates

ROG Ally CachyOS Maintenance Guide

Custom Packages

  • ryzenadj-git: TDP control
  • handygccs: Controller and hardware management
  • corectrl: Power management GUI

First Time Setup

# Create update history log
touch ~/update-history.txt

# Create initial snapshot
sudo snapper create -d "Initial setup"

Weekly Update Workflow

1. Pre-Update Checks

# Check system status
hello status

# Check CachyOS news for breaking changes
hello news

# Verify custom packages are working
sudo ryzenadj --info
systemctl status handygccs

2. Update Process

If no warnings about ROG Ally/Handheld or custom packages:

# Create dated snapshot
sudo snapper create -d "Pre-update $(date +%Y-%m-%d)"

# Update system
hello update

# Log the update
echo "Update $(date +%Y-%m-%d): [Package versions]" >> ~/update-history.txt
paru -Q ryzenadj-git handygccs corectrl >> ~/update-history.txt
echo "---" >> ~/update-history.txt

3. Post-Update Verification

# Verify custom packages still work
sudo ryzenadj --info
systemctl status handygccs

4. If Something Breaks

# List snapshots
sudo snapper list

# Rollback to previous snapshot
sudo snapper rollback XX  # Replace XX with snapshot number

Monthly Maintenance

# Clean old snapshots (keep last 5)
sudo snapper cleanup number

# System health check
hello check

# Check update history
tail -n 20 ~/update-history.txt

# Verify all custom services
systemctl --user status corectrl
systemctl status handygccs

Emergency Recovery

If unable to boot:

  1. Hold power + vol down on startup
  2. Select previous snapshot from boot menu
  3. After booting, check logs:
journalctl -b -1 -p 3

Update History Format

The update history file (~/update-history.txt) will contain entries like:

Update 2025-01-22:
ryzenadj-git 0.13.0-1
handygccs 1.1.2-1
corectrl 1.3.1-1
---

Remember:

  • Always check news before updates
  • Create snapshots before major changes
  • Keep track of working package versions
  • If in doubt, wait a few days before updating

ROG Ally CachyOS Installation: Troubleshooting Log

Initial USB/SSD Setup Issues

Ventoy Device Detection

Problem: Confusion about which device path to use

  • Listed options showed both sda and sda1
  • Solution: Used /dev/sda (whole drive) instead of /dev/sda1 (partition)

File System Mounting Issues

# Initial error
bad superblock on /dev/sda1

# Resolution steps
sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sda1
sudo mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/ventoy

ISO Detection Problems

  • Ventoy reported “No ISO or supported IMG files found”
  • Required proper copying of ISO to mounted Ventoy partition
  • Verified ISO was completely copied

Installation Process Challenges

Boot Selection Considerations

Had to specifically choose:

  • Normal mode (not GRUB2)
  • x86_64 kernel specifically
  • Avoided NVIDIA options

Time Synchronization Issues

Installation failed due to GPG key time errors:

gpg: key 760DA9AD81E7892F was created 28489 seconds in the future

Required system time synchronization during installation process

EFI Verification Challenges

  • Initial EFI path check failed:
cannot access '/boot/efi/EFI' no such file or directory
  • Required checking alternative paths:
    • /boot/EFI
    • Used mount command to locate actual EFI location

Steam Mode Issues

Initial Boot State

  • System booted directly to Steam console mode
  • Required knowing how to exit to desktop mode
  • Steam Deck Beta Client Update was recommended during first boot

System-Specific Notes

Hardware Recognition

  • System properly recognized ROG Ally X Extreme hardware
  • No need for additional GPU drivers (AMD)
  • Built-in controller initially recognized by Steam

Storage Configuration

  • Successfully used entire drive after Windows removal
  • BTRFS setup completed without issues
  • Proper subvolume structure verified

Lessons Learned

  1. SSD/USB Setup
  • Always use whole device for Ventoy
  • Verify mount points before copying ISO
  • Double-check ISO copy completion
  1. Installation Process
  • Time synchronization is critical
  • Check EFI setup before rebooting
  • Verify boot entries exist
  1. Post-Install
  • Know how to exit Steam mode
  • Be prepared for immediate system updates
  • Verify all hardware functions

Unexpected Behaviors

  1. Steam Console Mode
  • Default boot to Steam console was unexpected
  • Required additional steps to reach desktop
  1. Time Synchronization
  • Installation blocked by time sync issues
  • Required manual intervention
  1. EFI Path Variations
  • Standard EFI paths weren’t applicable
  • Required flexible troubleshooting approach

Additional Notes

What Worked Well

  • Ventoy setup after initial confusion
  • BTRFS installation
  • Hardware recognition
  • Steam integration

What Required Extra Steps

  • Time synchronization
  • EFI verification
  • Exiting Steam mode

What to Watch For

  • GPG key time errors
  • Correct boot mode selection
  • Proper partition setup
  • EFI entry verification

This troubleshooting log represents specific issues encountered during one installation session. Your experience may vary, but these solutions provide a reference for common issues.

hello
i’m on cachyos desktop
ive installed with btrfs too cause i cant help mylsef breakin everythin i touch.

So after tryn the nvidia 570 beta driver ive half broke my system.

thank you for your step by step guide it reassured me that the rollback works exactly like on opensuse.

hope you enjoy the distro

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