EFI install problem

[dcol]

Hi,
Setting up a dell optiplex 3010 SFF. Downloaded 'pfSense-CE-memstick-2.4.0-BETA-amd64-latest.img.gz' then used a 2GB stick and installed image using Rufus.
Setup BIOS as UEFI with no legacy boot and secure boot disabled.
Select stick from boot menu and starts to load then freezes with the following displayed

FreeBSD EFI boot block
      Loader path: /boot/loader.efi

Initializing modules: ZFS UFS
    Probing 7 block devices…....*... done
        ZFS found no pools
        UFS found 1 partituion
Consoles: EFI Consoles

Then it freezes. Tried different sticks. Even tried using CD install with same results. Will boot in Legacy mode, but I want to use UEFI mode to run pfsense. What do I need to do?

[dcol]

Figured out my own problem not that it makes any sense to me why, but I want to leave this thread in case others see this issue.

Problem was with the UEFI compatibility I assume.  Even though it has all the UEFI BIOS settings, this model must have some issues. I tried the memstick install in a Dell 7010 desktop and an 7050 tower and it worked in both systems. Tried it in two 3010's SFF, two 9010's SFF, and one 7010 SFF and it doesn't work. All have the latest BIOS A17(3010), A26(9010), and A25(7010). Why it works in the desktops and towers and not the SFF's doesn't make any sense to me since the BIOS is identical.

So if you are trying to install a UEFI boot and it doesn't work, it could be the hardware's UEFI support.
If anyone has any other ideas on why it doesn't work in these Dell SFF's, please share.

[dcol]

So does anyone know what is happening when the install freezes at Consoles: EFI Consoles?
What is the install waiting for?

[dcol]

I am beginning to think this is a bug in the pfsense install and not. The systems install properly in UEFI mode with Windows and Ubuntu installation memsticks.
Also, on the desktop that booted pfsense in UEFI mode, it will no longer boot if I simply install the NIC's and then hangs, once again, on 'Consoles: EFI Consoles'. Remove the NIC's and it boots from the memstick.

This is a bug in the pfsense installer. Anyone know of any workaround booting in UEFI?

I submitted a bug report on this issue.

[jimp]

Unlikely that it's a bug in pfSense. A FreeBSD incompatibility with that hardware, perhaps, but not likely to be something specific to pfSense.

See if you can get a vanilla FreeBSD 11 image to install on there.

[dcol]

Jimp you are totally correct. This is a FreeBSD issue and not a pfsense issue. Trested a vanilla FreeBSD memstick and it did the same thing.

Found FreeBSD forums. Will post questions there.

UPDATE
Turns out to be a bug in the FreeBSD loader. I am working with the FreeBSD people to resolve. I have 5 different Dell models that do not boot in UEFI mode with the install disk or a fully installed package.

[barakah]

@dcol:

Jimp you are totally correct. This is a FreeBSD issue and not a pfsense issue. Trested a vanilla FreeBSD memstick and it did the same thing.

Found FreeBSD forums. Will post questions there.

UPDATE
Turns out to be a bug in the FreeBSD loader. I am working with the FreeBSD people to resolve. I have 5 different Dell models that do not boot in UEFI mode with the install disk or a fully installed package.

Hello Guys,
Please added this SFF PC (HP Compaq 6200 Pro Small Form Factor) can't load from USB stick for pfsense 2.3.4 and 2.4 also, I have tried FreeBSD USB stick and same issue. USB stick not appeared under UEFI source but appeared under legacy and even choose it then monitor turn off and no boot sequence appear.

I tried other USB stick boot for other system such as Ubuntu and Windows10 and i can boot under UEFI source.

could you please help since i arrange this PC specially for my home firewall. Thanks

PC System specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5-2400
  Chipset: Intel Q65 Express
  Memory: 8GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
  Network interface: 3x Intel Gigabit Ethernet
  Storage: Samsung SSD 850 120GB
  Graphics: Integrated Intel HD

[barakah]

Yesterday I purchased USB-TO-Serial cable to try Pfsense image for serial installation and the surprise it has been installed without any issue. So the issue only VGA image which is disable VGA with first boot fro USB stick. Hope this will help you guys.

Note: I have post this issue on FreeBSD Forum also.

[dcol]

UPDATE: Using the new 2.4.1 release that uses FreeBSD 11.1 still cannot boot from memstick in UEFI mode. Have to turn on legacy mode in order to boot.
Can boot any other distro in UEFI mode, just not FreeBSD.

[Kain]

You mentioned having this issue on 3010's and at least one 7010. On the 7010, this is actually an issue with the firmware. I would guess similar with 3010. I had a lot of issues with UEFI and VGA, even using Windows 10. There's a firmware update that came out recently that resolves it. Since I have many 7010's, this firmware update is now the first thing I do before setup.

[Iahmad]

i have same issue anybody find the solution @dcol @jimp @barakah @Kain