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    Cannot Install from USB [SOLVED!]

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    14 Posts 7 Posters 24.8k Views
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    • N
      nappy_d
      last edited by

      Thanks.  Here is the Link to the hardware.  http://www.qotom.net/goods-121-QOTOM-Q100S+Micro+PC.html

      Another test I did was to us a Windows usb boot this I have and I could start up no issues and run my Windows usb boot media no issues(yeah, I know two different OSes, right?).

      I'm s\checking in the FreeBSD forum like you referenced.  Just in case :)

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      • V
        vbentley
        last edited by

        Try an old 1GB USB stick, if you can't find one, try an old 2GB USB stick.

        I have experienced similar problems reflashing MIPS hardware from USB. Old USB flash sticks less than 2GB usually work but new ones 2GB and upwards don't. I guess inside the stick is a Linux core that is managing wear levelling and the delivery of 2GB of storage from 8GB or more of storage that failed manufacturing production tests at the full capacity.

        Youtube Video

        If you find an old 1GB stick that works, keep it safe.

        Trademark Attribution and Credit
        pfSense® and pfSense Certified® are registered trademarks of Electric Sheep Fencing, LLC in the United States and other countries.

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        • N
          nappy_d
          last edited by

          Thanks.  So far that did not work nor did running it from a USB CD rom drive.  I get the same errors.

          I think it may be the hardware which is unfortunate .

          I have booted with an external DVD drive with pfSense 2.3 and still the same errors appear..

          Anyone one have any thoughts?  Would love to get this up and running.  For the price I couldn't go wrong :)

          File_000.jpg
          File_000.jpg_thumb

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          • N
            nappy_d
            last edited by

            Tested my system with Ubuntu desktop 14.03 LTS and it boots, installs and works 100%.

            Is there is an issue with pfSense and hardware?

            I am even using the same USB flash drive to make the bootable installer.

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            • D
              divsys
              last edited by

              A better test would be FreeBSD 10.3.

              If it will boot  with that, then you should be able to make pfSense work.

              -jfp

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              • N
                nappy_d
                last edited by

                I have tried 10.3 and 10.1 of FreeBSD. I have cross thread going on the FreeBSD site on this issue and so far only pfSense and FreeBSD appear to be the non functioning systems.  Ultimately this is so that I can run pfSense but understanding that pfSense is built on FreeBSD, I'm hoping either would see the issue.  Its just odd(I think)

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                • D
                  divsys
                  last edited by

                  If you can't get FreeBSD to run, the chances of pfSense working are slim (to nil).

                  I understand your goal is to get pfSense working (that should be everyone's goal, shouldn't it !), but since it's based on FreeBSD your stuck if FreeBSD won't load.

                  -jfp

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                  • K
                    kpa
                    last edited by

                    The issue here seems to be just booting from USB and that can worked around. Try to find another system that can boot pfSense install media and do the install on that system using the HDD from the system you're now trying to use unsuccessfully. Then just move the HDD from that system to the system that you're going to use as the real firewall and it should work just fine. FreeBSD (and pfSense) is unlike MS Windows in that regard that you can move bootable installations between systems and it will still boot assuming /etc/fstab entries are done with filesystem labels.

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                    • S
                      slimypizza
                      last edited by

                      Maybe the problem is creating a bootable USB file…  Take a look here:  https://oitibs.com/pfsense-usb-install-guide-rufus/

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                      • N
                        nappy_d
                        last edited by

                        Thanks everyone the issue has been solved.  It was the USB flash drives, possibly in conjunction with the application I was using to make the installer. That YouTube video was an eye opener and I also used rufus.

                        I have always used unetbootin with success plus Kingston USB flash drives.  Not sure why it started failing but now that I have switched to a 4GB verbatim drive I had kicking around and everything works 100%.

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