[SOLVED] Force UEFI install using automated installer
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Hi guys,
First the solution:
if you install using automated ZFS(last option) you can configure swap size, which drive and which partition scheme. When selecting GPT(UEFI) an UEFI-only box(or in my case, MBR using CF and a required UEFI using a sata ssd) will boot.
I am trying to install pfsense on a router that requires UEFI.
The install image boots fine and I can install to my ssd.
After that I remove the device with the install image and try to boot the router->won't boot.I tried using automatic install and after that seemed to fail(didn't fail), I tried manual. In manual I saw the install image has an efi-partition, but the ssd doesn't.
It seems my router needs that efi-partition and the data in it, in order to boot. With install device it can boot, because that one has efi-partition with data. The ssd doesn't have it and that's why it won't boot.
So my question: how can I let pfsense install in uefi-mode? Or what options do I need to check to let it create another partition(efi-partition with data)?
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Tested MBR image in CF->works.
Image installed to ssd->doesn't work.So it seems my router requires UEFI on sata. The router has a locked bios, so can't change anything there.
The pfsense 2.4.3 image has uefi, but when it installs it formats the ssd GPT and doesn't add an efi-partition with data to the ssd. So I think I just need an option to let pfsense install an efi-partition and data on the ssd. -
Hi, @nick
this is exactly the same problems that I had. Turns out the cause of this is that the installer didn't copy the EFI files. Today I use EFI shell from my mini PC to copy EFI folder from the installation flash disk into the flash disk where I install pfsense. And now, I can boot from the flash disk that I use as the installation target.
Give it a try. If EFI shell is difficult to use, you can plug in the disk and installation flash disk to other PC and then copy EFI folder from the installation flash disk into the target disk.
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You can do that from the CLI after the install or an easier alternative is to choose the Auto ZFS install where you are then given a choice of partition schemes including GPT(UEFI) or GPT (BIOS+UEFI).
Steve
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Yeah, was kind of late yesterday, but I want to post the solution. As Steve points out, if you install using automated ZFS(last option) you can configure swap size, which drive and which partition scheme. When selecting GPT(UEFI) an UEFI-only box(or in my case, MBR using CF and a required UEFI using a sata ssd) will boot.
