Trying to install Embeded Image

maynarja

I am using a "transcend" compact flash and writing the "pfSense-1.0.1-Embedded.img.gz" image using "physdiskwrite.exe" which appears to go fine.

When I boot the machine it does not boot to pfsense and just sits there just after POST.

It does see the drive in the BIOS which indicates it is set to "LBA, PIO 4"

I have searched the forums and still have not been able to come up with a solution.

maynarja

I think it has to do with DMA.

Does pfSense work better with certain CF cards?

I am having trouble editing loader.conf in /boot
line added: hw.ata.ata_dma=0

Once i change the file and burn the new iso pfsense boots but then claims it cannot find the kernel.

hoba

Embedded images have their output at com1 console. local video is disabled once it starts booting. Did you check the com1 at 9600 baud with a crossovercable and a terminalemulation?

maynarja

Thanks Hoba

I will give that a try first I must pick up a null serial cable.

But just a though if the system boots but does not display on the monitor would I not still hear the beeps to let me know pfSense is up and running?

hoba

Not until you have assigned your NICs initially as it won't boot up completely then but wait for the assignment before it continues.

maynarja

SO without the nul cable, I could then enter no to setup vlans and then hit enter for auto and it should come up?

I just want to confirm that the cf works.

On a side note is there certain cf's that work better?

hoba

No, you need the nullmodemcable as keyboard is disabled too. Some cf-cards might cause problems with some boards like when using dma. There is no general recommendation what works best. It doesn't only depend on the cfcard itself.

maynarja

Thanks

maynarja

Well…...

I cannot seem to get the embeded image to boot. I believe it has to do with "hw.ata.ata_dma=1" which should be set to "hw.ata.ata_dma=0" but for some reason i cannot seem to edit the img and get it to work.

I have tried editing the pfsense live .iso with "winiso" (creating a loader.conf file in /boot adding the line "hw.ata.ata_dma=0" but then when I boot with the cd it says it cannot find the kernel. arghhhh!

If i boot with the unmodified live version i get an error of "error issuing READ_DMA command" for ad01 with is the cf card. So i guess I am back at trying to turn off "hw.ata.ata_dma=0"

Any help would be aprreciated.

hoba

You can interrupt the bootprocess to disable dma-modes before it starts loading the kernel (see http://wiki.pfsense.com/wikka.php?wakka=BootOptions for how to do so). Then once installed simply edit the bootloader config from diagnostics>edit file, save and reboot.