Installation Issues on Dell ( cannot see SATA controller )
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Hello
I'm trying to install pfSense onto an older server I had kicking around.
Dell SC 430 - 4GB RAM - Pentium D 3.0GhzI've tried both 64 and 32 bit USB installations
I am getting the following error during the install after clicking "quick/easy install"An internal Lua error occurred while trying to run the script /usr/local/share/dfuibe_lua/easy_install/main.lua: ...l/share/dfuibe_lua/easy_install//200_select_disk.lua:71: attempt to call method 'get_capacity' (a nil value) stack traceback: ... .. . .. ... ......app.lua 'get_capacity' ......flow.lua 'run' ......main.lua 'xpcall' ... .. .
from what i can tell it seems the pfsense installer cannot find the drive. ( the bios sees it, I've also tried different drives, sizes, speeds, ssd etc… )
I have attempted to look for the drive in a shell, but it only sees the optical, and usb inserted.The Dell SC430 has 4 SATA and 2 IDE. I've tried disabling all the other sata and IDE, enabling the single sata with the drive connected but no go. still the same error. I've tried, resetting the BIOS settings, I've also changed settings in the bios as much as possible ( its a dell so there aren't many )
I actually tried an IDE drive ( yes, I had one kicking around ) and the install worked so I do believe it is the sata controller that is not found. Any Ideas?
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Long time no see! ;)
1. Reset your PC BIOS to factory defaults and try again
2. Twiddle your BIOS SATA options and try again
3. Just use the IDE disk since the SATA disk gains you nothing extra -
haha thank you,
I've done 1
2, it's a dell, there aren't many things to fiddle with. ( only enable/disable the controller )I've also tried
all of these:
https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Boot_TroubleshootingI'm close to thinking of going with IDE, except, its a 20GB HDD, I have my doubts on how long it will survive. maybe an IDE2CF converter and go with pfSense nano.
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pfSense nanoBSD is dead. You'd better get IDE SSD.
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Just use the 20G disk. It's more than big enough. Once you get your install finished, use Diagnostics - Backup & Restore to make a config.xml backup. Then, if your disk dies, you simply slap a new one in, install pfSense, restore your config and you're back up in under 10 minutes.
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pfSense nanoBSD is dead. You'd better get IDE SSD.
I was unaware that pfSense nanoBSD was dead… good to know. Thank you!
Just use the 20G disk. It's more than big enough. Once you get your install finished, use Diagnostics - Backup & Restore to make a config.xml backup. Then, if your disk dies, you simply slap a new one in, install pfSense, restore your config and you're back up in under 10 minutes.
true. I'll clone a disk and keep the spare drive inside for a quick swap, and keep a backup on USB, and tape it to the case.
Thank you.
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I found this obscure IDE2SATA adapter i bought years ago in Japan, in my "other computer stuff" bin
gave it a shot, cuz hey, why not. and it's working flawlessly off a 1 TB SATA Hard Drive now.
its the same as this in case anyone has the same issue.
https://www.amazon.ca/HDE-SATA-Drive-Interface-Adapter/dp/B0096BEJDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481831549&sr=8-1&keywords=ide+to+sata