Re: Install from writeable USB
On Mon 01 Jun 2015 at 17:22:40 -0700, Charles Chambers wrote:
> > 1. Create a second partition with fdisk or cfdisk.
>
> Done. By default, fdisk created a Type 83 partition. I added
> "mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdc2" after physically removing/reinserting the drive
> to give it a file system. This causes problems later on. I changed
> the partition type to Type 7 (HPFS/NTFS/exFat) and formatted as such
> because it mounts when I get to step 6.
Sorry, I omitted the advice to 'mkfs.vfat /dev/sdc2'. This is necessary
to get the partition mounted at the start of the install
> > 1a. Mount the partition and copy preseed.cfg to it.
>
> Done. I also ran "chmod 777 preseed.cfg" to eliminate any possible permissions problems.
>
> 2. Boot into the installer. Select expert mode from the Advanced menu.
>
> Selected advanced options, cursor down to Expert Install. Done.
>
>
> 3. Press TAB and add file=/mnt/preseed.cfg to end of the displayed
> command.
>
> Done.
>
> 4. Boot the kernel.
>
> Done.
>
>
> 5. At the first screen switch to a console (ALT-F2). 'ls -l /dev/sdb*'
> should help identify the second partition on the USB stick. Mount
> this partition; e.g: mount -t vfat /dev/sdc2 /mnt.
>
> The first screen of the install is to select language, for which there
> is an option in preseed.cfg. At this point, the install does not
> appear to be parsing preseed.cfg, but I haven't yet customized
> preseed.cfg.
Note the fourth option - "Load debconf preconfiguration file". /dev/sdc2
has to be mounted to access the file. The preseed.cfg is not parsed
until these steps are taken. I usually preseed language and keyboard on
the command line for the kernel. For example:
locale=en_GB.UTF-8 keymap=gb
> However, setting the partition type of /dev/sdb2 to Type 7 lets me
> mount /dev/sdb2 on /mnt as vfat, so I have some progress.
Good.
> 6. Proceed with the install.
>
> What makes it go? The objective is a totally hands off install, but I
> exit the console and I'm still on the first screen of the Expert
> Install with the process awaiting input.
Just carry on with each main menu entry in turn.
> =========================
>
> > For an amd64 netinst ISO:
> >
> > Disk /dev/sdb: 15.5 GB, 15502147584 bytes
> > 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1884 cylinders, total 30277632 sectors
> > Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
> > Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> > I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
> > Disk identifier: 0x42a6671b
> >
> > Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
> > /dev/sdb1 * 0 454655 227328 0 Empty
> > /dev/sdb2 3440 4335 448 ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
> >
> > Both look somewhat odd, but not so bad.
> >
> > I'd prefer using the amd64 image, if it gets that far. The Dells are all 64-
> > bit.
>
> As above, but make sure the third partition starts after the end of the
> first partition.
>
> I tried. Each and every attempt to create /dev/sdb3 ends up with the
> tool trying to replace /dev/sdb1. I understand clearly that I may use
> space from sector 454656 to the end of the drive, but what tool best
> sets up that third partition? I tried fdisk, cfdisk, GNU parted,
> Kparted, and Gparted.
No need to create a partition using all the remaining space. 20M is
enough for your purposes. Here is a record of what I did successfully:
brian@desktop:~$ /sbin/fdisk /dev/sdb
WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sdb'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 515 MB, 515899392 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 62 cylinders, total 1007616 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x42a6671b
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 0 454655 227328 0 Empty
/dev/sdb2 3440 4335 448 ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
Command (m for help): n
Partition type:
p primary (1 primary, 0 extended, 3 free)
e extended
Select (default p): p
Partition number (1-4, default 3): 3
First sector (2048-1007615, default 2048): 455000
Last sector, +sectors or +size{K,M,G} (455000-1007615, default 1007615): +20M
Command (m for help): p
Disk /dev/sdb: 515 MB, 515899392 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 62 cylinders, total 1007616 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x42a6671b
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 0 454655 227328 0 Empty
/dev/sdb2 3440 4335 448 ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)
/dev/sdb3 455000 495959 20480 83 Linux
Reply to: