Putty shows garbage when connecting

[JaneMoss]

I am trying to install pfSense (pfSense-CE-memstick-serial-2.5.2-RELEASE-amd64) On a watch guard XTM 5 series device.

I installed the image on to a CF Flash card and then booted the device. I am trying to putty in to the device with a USB to serial cable.

settings @ 9600 8 Data bits, 1 stop bit, parity none and no flow control

I have tried different port speeds and also different USB ports but I am not able to get a clean screen to finish up the install.

This is what it looks like, Any ideas ?

[Gertjan]

@janemoss said in Putty shows garbage when connecting:

watch guard XTM 5

You saw this https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/fnn6sk/cant_get_pfsense_on_a_xtm515/ ? There is also a video.

I never saw such a device, but could it be that the BIOS talks first to you ? With 9600 bits speed or something else.
The device's user manual should be able to tell you what the initial BIOS COM port settings are.

If the pfSense installer takes over, the speed should be 115200/8/N/1.

[provels]

From https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/fireware/12/en-US/CLI/CLI_Reference_v12_6.pdf

3. Verify that the terminal is set to VT100.
   If the terminal is not set to VT100, some command and control key functions do not work. For
   example, Ctrl-C does not break, some special characters do not type, and ESC does not work.
4. Verify that your connection parameters are set to:
   n Port — The serial port on your management computer, usually COM1
   n Baud Rate — 115200
   n Data Bits — 8
   n Stop Bits — 1
   n Parity — No
   n Flow Control — None

[stephenw10]

Unless it's already been modified it should boot that image from CF and use the serial console at 115200.

Make sure whatever you're installing onto is not bootable though in case it's trying to boot that first.

Steve

[JaneMoss]

Thank you all for your help, links and video's I was able to get it installed after changing the port speed and then tweaking a few settings in putty to display correctly.

I am pretty green to pfSense but it appears to be running well on this hardware platform.

Thanks again