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    Introducing Netgate Nexus: Multi-Instance Management at Your Fingertips.

    SG-5100 stuck in reboot loop ("Automatic Boot Verification" timeout) following install

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    • K Offline
      KevinRice
      last edited by

      I've performed a full re-install (Netgate Installer v1.2, latest v26.07) and my SG-5100 never completes the "Automatic Boot Verification is still running..." and continually reboots. This has been an issue with previous pfSense versions as well.

      I've somehow overcome this with a (mostly uncertain) combination of package re-installs and "Clear Package Lock" (Diagnostics > Backup & Restore) and crossing my fingers. I'm really not certain what "fixed" it.

      I'm also not clear why this is an issue with a clean re-install. Seems buggy.

      On background: I recently installed an M.2 SATA drive as the internal eMMC is showing high age numbers (but had not yet failed).

      Any ideas why Automatic Boot Verification never ends? I've let it sit for hours without logging in, but it kept rebooting until I succeeded with various package installs. Wireguard in particular failed and required a full delete and re-installation.

      jimpJ SteveITSS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S Offline
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        That happens on the first boot after install?

        Did you restore the config at install time?

        K 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • jimpJ Offline
          jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate @KevinRice
          last edited by jimp

          @KevinRice said in SG-5100 stuck in reboot loop ("Automatic Boot Verification" timeout) following install:

          On background: I recently installed an M.2 SATA drive as the internal eMMC is showing high age numbers (but had not yet failed).

          Try wiping both disks and then install only on the M.2 SATA. It's possible you're seeing a conflict where it's booting the wrong kernel from the MMC but loading the rest of the OS off the M.2 disk.

          https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/install/install-walkthrough.html#wipe-disks

          https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/troubleshooting/multiple-disks.html

          Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

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          K 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • K Offline
            KevinRice @stephenw10
            last edited by

            @stephenw10 said in SG-5100 stuck in reboot loop ("Automatic Boot Verification" timeout) following install:

            That happens on the first boot after install? YES

            Did you restore the config at install time? YES

            Same thing last upgrade.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • K Offline
              KevinRice @jimp
              last edited by

              @jimp said in SG-5100 stuck in reboot loop ("Automatic Boot Verification" timeout) following install:

              @KevinRice said in SG-5100 stuck in reboot loop ("Automatic Boot Verification" timeout) following install:

              On background: I recently installed an M.2 SATA drive as the internal eMMC is showing high age numbers (but had not yet failed).

              Try wiping both disks

              I did wipe the eMMC on the second go-around. Prior to adding the M.2 SATA I had the same reboot loop issue with the last pfSense upgrade. Seems to be a problem every time I upgrade and I always seem to have to do a complete fresh install (as the upgrade breaks).

              I figured the eMMC might be part of the issue, and I'm contemplating removing the eMMC to find out.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • SteveITSS Offline
                SteveITS Rebel Alliance @KevinRice
                last edited by

                @KevinRice Do you remove packages before upgrade? And if you’re reinstalling are you restoring during install?

                I ask because I’ve seen pfBlocker take long enough to trip the timer and revert, but that was on a 2100.

                To upgrade, select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings. When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to reboot, or more depending on packages, CPU, and/or disk speed.
                Only install packages for your version of pfSense.
                Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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                • stephenw10S Offline
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  Mmm, it sounds like it's something in the configuration. Likely in a package.

                  If you install clean without restoring the config I assume it boots normally? That would confirm a config issue.

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