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    [solved] Alix new install boot problem / serial console outputs garbage

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • R
      rosch
      last edited by

      Hi all,

      I am unable to boot pfSense on my Alix 2d13 using a compact flash card.

      • used to work flawlessly with pfSense 2.2 on a 4GB CF card
      • tried pfSense 2.2.1 and 2.2.2, embedded version of both 4g and 2g, i386
      • tried on a brand new 16GB CF card, same problem
      • tried other baud numbers for the serial console, 115200, 38400

      I copy the img file on the card using dd bs=16k.

      Most times I get a flashing pattern of the 3 LEDs after about one minute:
      1, 1  2, 2  3, 3 then again 1, 1  2, 2  3, 3 and so on.
      (1, 1 being a double blink of the left LED, 2, is the middle LED and 3 is the right LED)

      BIOS version is 0.99h, so should be ok.

      Console output, using the command gtkterm -p /dev/ttyUSB0 -w Xon -s 9600,
      gives only garbage after the boot screen:

      1  pfSense
      2  pfSense
      
      F6 PXE
      Boot:  1
      

      I have been at this for hours with no luck..could somebody please help me out?

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      • dotdashD
        dotdash
        last edited by

        New versions default to 115200 on the serial console, so try starting with your term set at that. BIOS output will be garbage, either change the BIOS speed, or change console when it boots. You need to have the serial up to assign interfaces, as vr is no longer the default.

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        • R
          rosch
          last edited by

          @dotdash:

          New versions default to 115200 on the serial console

          I tried 115200, but got no readable output.
          Will try 115200 again right from the boot-up..although I don't think that should be an issue. I tried several speeds while booting, none was readable.

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          • R
            rosch
            last edited by

            Having the console at baud 115200 from the very start did the trick..many thanks for your quick answer.

            It's a pity switching speeds while booting does not work.

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            • X
              xbipin
              last edited by

              @dotdash:

              New versions default to 115200 on the serial console

              i doubt the default speed in freebsd is 115200, atleast it doesnt seem so on my alix

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              • D
                doktornotor Banned
                last edited by

                @xbipin:

                @dotdash:

                New versions default to 115200 on the serial console

                i doubt the default speed in freebsd is 115200, atleast it doesnt seem so on my alix

                https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/2.2_New_Features_and_Changes#OS_Changes

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