How to install pfsense with usb

emammadov · Feb 12, 2019, 11:20 AM

Hello,

Our server's dvd drive doesn't work. So I want to install pfsense via usb drive. I couldn't burn iso file to usb in Rufus. So I downloaded Memstick Installer, Console: VGA. There is also Console "Serial" which I don't know what the difference between Serial and VGA.
I booted VGA img file with rufus. After the installation has been finished, full screen different colors began playing. How can I burn iso file to USB?

Grimson · Feb 12, 2019, 11:32 AM

https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/installing-pfsense.html

stephenw10 · Feb 12, 2019, 2:47 PM

The pfSense ISO file will not write to a USB drive you must use the memstick image.

The VGA image is for a direct attached keyboard/monitor. The serial image is for a serial console, connected to a laptop with a serial cable for example.

You probably want the VGA image. I strongly suggest using Etcher to write it to the USB stick.

It is still fails try a different USB stick.

A crash of the type you described, random colour blocks on the screen, is often hardware though.

Steve

emammadov · Feb 12, 2019, 5:50 PM

Thank you for your reply. I think it is not hardware problem. The situation is so, I booted pfsense memstick vga console with Rufus and plugged into server. When pfsense started installation like in the following picture I pressed "1" to continue, but if I don't press "1", then full screen randoms colors begins flashing.
I pressed "1" and installed pfsense successfully. After reboot when pfsense starts as in the following picture, I wait for pfsense for successfully boot, then it begins colors flashing like in the following youtube video.

login-to-view

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lju8piVZTRM

stephenw10 · Feb 12, 2019, 7:05 PM

Can you boot to single user mode, Option 2 there?

emammadov · Feb 12, 2019, 7:07 PM

Actually I have never pressed any keys to start in the previous installations. I have always waited and pfsense started byitself. In pfsense tutorial it is said press "1", that is why I have pressed "1". Actually I don't know the difference between Multi and Single user.

stephenw10 · Feb 12, 2019, 9:08 PM

Single user mode gets you to a shell prompt with far fewer things running/loaded/mounted. So if you have an issue with some component you might be able boot single user mode when the normal boot fails.
Are you able to boot to the prompt by pressing 2 at that menu?

Usually it boots the default selection, which is 1, after a few seocnds there. You should not have to press anything to boot normally.

Steve