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    Unable to format ssd

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • N
      nikkon
      last edited by

      Hi all,

      I try to install pfsense 2.1.4 x64 on a ga-h87n + ssd.Problem is that i'm not able to format it as UFS.
      Any ideas?
      thank you

      pfsense 2.3.4 on Supermicro A1SRi-2758F + 8GB ECC + SSD

      Happy PfSense user :)

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      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        You're formatting during the install process? What's the error given?

        Steve

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        • N
          nikkon
          last edited by

          Yes,
          Even if I go for fast & easy or advanced install is the same.it can find the disk proprrtly but after i go for slices…on the format point...it fails.

          pfsense 2.3.4 on Supermicro A1SRi-2758F + 8GB ECC + SSD

          Happy PfSense user :)

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          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            Do you have the actual error given at that point?

            I would guess that the drive is set to AHCI mode in the bios and the AHCI driver isn't loaded. Try changing it to an alternative mode. That is just a guess though.  ;)

            Steve

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            • I
              incurablegeek
              last edited by

              A rather ignorant guy jumping in here, so please forgive.

              I would guess that the drive is set to AHCI mode in the bios and the AHCI driver isn't loaded.

              I always set all my drives, even opticals to AHCI in Win7 64 bit. Don't need drivers in software; that should all be handled nicely in the BIOS.

              Do Not Use IDE for SSD's. IDE is for ancient technologies. Use only AHCI for SSD.

              If you are having difficulty with SSD and AHCI, I would suggest you update your mobo BIOS. Please feel free to do so without fear. Too many well-intended people on the net will tell you that flashing the BIOS is a doomsday event. I have been doing it for 25 years - just follow the instructions of your mobo mfr.; not a problem to do so.

              At present, I'm not using an SSD for my pfSense Network Appliance but rather a traditional hdd. Seems like an SSD would be rather pointless and quite a waste. Just my humble opinion.

              Suggestion: In the future kindly give more complete information, specifically what motherboard, BIOS version, etc. you are using - also the generation and mfr. of your SSD would help. From your post I can't tell if your hardware is recent or ancient.

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              • N
                nikkon
                last edited by

                sry for missong some essestial infos:
                GA-H87N-WIFI (rev. 1.x)
                Bios version F7
                SSD model : Kingston v300 60GB

                pfsense 2.3.4 on Supermicro A1SRi-2758F + 8GB ECC + SSD

                Happy PfSense user :)

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                • I
                  incurablegeek
                  last edited by

                  I just looked up your motherboard and SSD. Both motherboard (and BIOS) and SSD are new and should work without problem.

                  Without sitting there with you, it's hard to say what your problem is - precious little information to go on. I assume you know how to configure a BIOS (sorry to sound condescending; not my intention) - set both your SSD and your optical to AHCI (1 SSD and 1 Optical should be all you have or need for pfSense), your optical to #1 and your SSD to #2 in boot order. Disable everything you don't need.

                  Suggestions:

                  1. Burn another installation CD/DVD (I had trouble with a USB installation so always use optical) - Make absolutely certain you have selected the correct version (Intel i386 vs AMD 64 bit) and the latest 2.1.4. Your problem could be caused by something so simple as the wrong version (Intel vs AMD) of pfSense or a bad burn of your installation CD/DVD.

                  2. Your motherboard is a version 1. In the future it's best not to ever purchase a Version 1 of anything (usually full of bugs and a kind of beta version).

                  Hope that little bit helps.

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                  • N
                    nikkon
                    last edited by

                    @ incurablegeek  thx for the advices
                    all done already…same issue.
                    related to my mobo rev 1 ...yeah...it was the only choice :(

                    pfsense 2.3.4 on Supermicro A1SRi-2758F + 8GB ECC + SSD

                    Happy PfSense user :)

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                    • I
                      incurablegeek
                      last edited by

                      Nikkon, please know that I have been where you are on too many occasions. Live and learn, as they say.

                      I can only conclude that you have a hardware issue, specifically that rev. 1 motherboard and/or a defective BIOS. Believe it or not, I actually purchased a motherboard once that had a defective CMOS (the chip that holds the BIOS). Rather than wrangle with the manufacturer, I just bought another CMOS, told the supplier what BIOS to install and replaced the chip myself (quite easy really).

                      Just curious: Have you tried installing Linux or Windows to see if they could format your SSD? That simple test should tell you your motherboard and/or BIOS (CMOS) is the problem.

                      Quite frankly, if another OS won't install, I wouldn't play around; I would return the motherboard to the manufacturer and have them replace it. For what it's worth, I have never had much luck with Gigabyte motherboards - have two of them and both were defective from the mfr. (not a particularly honest manufacturer either, but that's another very long story). I stick with ASUS motherboards - never ever a problem.

                      One thing I can assure you is that if you do RMA your motherboard to Gigabyte, they will play games with you. Stick with ASUS.

                      Let us know how you proceed. Remember: Step 1 - Try to install another OS, preferably Linux. Remember pfSense is based on Free BSD which is based on Linux and is Linux a less complicated installation than even Windows. Try both to see if you motherboard is the problem. I think it is.

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                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        Please tell us exactly what given error is when you try to install. 'not able to format' or 'it fails' is not enough to make any reasonable diagnosis.

                        Steve

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                        • N
                          nikkon
                          last edited by

                          made it :)
                          thx for all replies :)

                          pfsense 2.3.4 on Supermicro A1SRi-2758F + 8GB ECC + SSD

                          Happy PfSense user :)

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • I
                            incurablegeek
                            last edited by

                            Nikkon,

                            Not wishing to be hurtful but whenever I ask for help on a forum (quite a lot on pfSense actually) I always report back with my results so others might learn and those who helped me might feel a bit more appreciated.

                            I would hope that you could do the same. I know I would appreciate knowing what you did.

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