Cosmos IV Linux + Review

[Spectech]

I recently purchased a cosmos IV from pc specialist and am very happy with it
The build is solid, the finish is nice.
The photos on the pc specialist site discredit this laptop. It looks much nicer in real life.
I was annoyed that Linux was not supported, and after hours of head scratching I've managed to install Debian successfully.
I'm running Debian 8.3 (Jessie)
Initially when I installed Debian the Intel wifi, Intel sound and nvidia graphics would not work.
I attempted to resolute the problem of the graphics card by installing the nvidia drivers, I was unsuccessful.
I tried several other methods to get the nvidia GPU to work, all uncessful.
It would just brick the OS
Anyway, I moved onto the wireless as that was more of a pressing issue.
That would not work either.
So I reinstalled the OS, and before I did so had put off upgrading the kernel, but then I gave in, after seeing fellow members of the community had done this to solve similar issues.
I upgraded the kernel to 4.3 Jessie back ports.
When booting into the new kernel it was bricking like it did with the nvidia, I booted into safe mode to confirm the problem was fixable.
I fixed that issue by installing the Realtek (Ethernet) firmware/drivers and the Intel wifi firmware/drivers (for some reason I think without the Realtek it was bricking it).
I have yet to install the nvidia drivers, I'll keep it updated.
If anyone wants any help with Linux installation for this laptop or others just reply, I'll try and get back to you.
Overall 9/10
(Support Linux for 10)

 

[Wozza63]

Good to see you are enjoying your laptop and that you managed to get Linux running. It's odd because I had no issues with a few different distros on my Cosmos II which I must say also looked better when it arrived than I had come to expect from the pictures on the PCS website, although I wasn't too bothered. If I was, I probably would have bought a Mac

 

[Hamamelis]

I have had problems like yours with Debian on similar laptops. I found the solution was to use LinuxMint Debian LMDE. There seem to be more drivers on their installation. I have found pure Debian much more difficult to get working properly and I finally gave up and used the Mint Debian. I have had no real problems with that other than not having access to PPAs which can be a pain when trying to install the likes of R and particular versions of Python.
I look forward to hearing more about your success with Debian.

 

[Melvyn]

Hi, I have recently purchased the following.

Build Time Cosmos Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Intel® CoreTM i7 Quad Core Processor 6700HQ (2.6GHz, 3.5GHz Turbo)
16GB HyperX IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 950M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
256GB SAMSUNG SM951 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2150MB/R, 1260MB/W)
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8260 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11AC)
+ BLUETOOTH
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Cosmos Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48.84WH)
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
COSMOS 17" SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

My system came with the Window test platform which I am actually grateful for as the laptop fails to boot from UBS Live Linux Mint 17.3, Ubuntu or Slack which I read uses the Latest Linux kernel. (4.3 I think)
I have tried using USB 3 and the USB 2 Port to see if that makes any difference but no.
My knowledge on Booting, kernels and the like are not strong but I am hopeful that someone out there has the knowledge to assist me and this can be used to helps others.

All my attempts, Normal and compatibility mode from the grub screen work ok and start to load the kernel I guess. Items are displayed on the screen with a pass or fail.
Then the system seems to fail on a CPU#5 stuck for 22 seconds! fault which keep repeating and repeating

I have read a few places that this may be a kernel issue and one post states it could be a power supply issue. Also to change something with the cpu clock speed. However the power supply is new and should be more than ok to run the system as it was the upgraded power supply. However trying different kernels and or clock speed I'm a little stuck on how to proceed.

Finally my BIOS i have accessed through F2 only after using a shutdown/p command from the window test install as it appears to enter a hibernation mode.
I have tried booting before amending any settings but still results in the same errors.
I have disabled Secure Boot but I can see much else in here really the menu is pretty basic.
I am able to boot to into a EFI Shell from the USB but don't know how useful this can be.

Please help as I only have 15 more days left using the test platform and I really really really not want to go with windows.

Thanks for your time reading this.

Melvyn

 

[Wozza63]

Is Windows running fine on the machine without crashing? Have you tried a different memory stick and a different Linux distro? The error does sound almost hardware related, are you able to disable core #5 in the BIOS to see if the issue persists?

 

[ubuysa]

Hi, I have recently purchased the following.

Build Time Cosmos Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Intel® CoreTM i7 Quad Core Processor 6700HQ (2.6GHz, 3.5GHz Turbo)
16GB HyperX IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 950M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
256GB SAMSUNG SM951 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2150MB/R, 1260MB/W)
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8260 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11AC)
+ BLUETOOTH
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Cosmos Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48.84WH)
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
COSMOS 17" SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

My system came with the Window test platform which I am actually grateful for as the laptop fails to boot from UBS Live Linux Mint 17.3, Ubuntu or Slack which I read uses the Latest Linux kernel. (4.3 I think)
I have tried using USB 3 and the USB 2 Port to see if that makes any difference but no.
My knowledge on Booting, kernels and the like are not strong but I am hopeful that someone out there has the knowledge to assist me and this can be used to helps others.

All my attempts, Normal and compatibility mode from the grub screen work ok and start to load the kernel I guess. Items are displayed on the screen with a pass or fail.
Then the system seems to fail on a CPU#5 stuck for 22 seconds! fault which keep repeating and repeating

I have read a few places that this may be a kernel issue and one post states it could be a power supply issue. Also to change something with the cpu clock speed. However the power supply is new and should be more than ok to run the system as it was the upgraded power supply. However trying different kernels and or clock speed I'm a little stuck on how to proceed.

Finally my BIOS i have accessed through F2 only after using a shutdown/p command from the window test install as it appears to enter a hibernation mode.
I have tried booting before amending any settings but still results in the same errors.
I have disabled Secure Boot but I can see much else in here really the menu is pretty basic.
I am able to boot to into a EFI Shell from the USB but don't know how useful this can be.

Please help as I only have 15 more days left using the test platform and I really really really not want to go with windows.

Thanks for your time reading this.

Melvyn

It would be much better if you deleted this post and created a separate thread for your problem. Otherwise you'll not know whether replies are directed at you or the original poster - and neither will the original poster, which is unfair to them.