APU SSD pfSense 2.2 installation problems

A Former User

Greetings,

I have an APU that has 2.15 installed, but due to a series of incorrect consecutive boot ups during a power outage, the installation is corrupted, so now it does not boot correctly at all.
Regardless, since the 2.2 release was around the corner at the time, I used my old routing setup for a while and now I'm trying to make a fresh install of 2.2 onto the 16gb SSD on the APU using a USB stick.

I'm getting the installation to run, but there is an error when the installation is trying to wipe the SSD (see two screenshots).

I've tried to find other forums post with similar problems, but I cannot find it.
Anybody got any tips? - and please keep in mind that I'm not what people would consider a "high-end" linux or bsd user.

Thank you!

1.png_thumb

2.png_thumb

firewalluser

Are you trying to install first or run from memstick then install?

Have you tried the opposite route to installation and get the same problems?

If so, have you tried going back to and installing the 2.15?

A Former User

I have tried to install from the memstick - i tried running it from the memstick and it seems to boot fine (no WAN connected etc.)
Didn't know you could run it from memstick and THEN install it? Is it sort of like Ubuntu Live installation?
.. and no, I have not tried installing 2.15

cmb

That looks a lot more like the SSD is dead than any file-level corruption. The repeated power on/off/on/off could have killed the SSD.

The memstick functions the same as the ISO, try that and see if it works.

No need to go back to try 2.1.5 if the memstick doesn't work. I know the 2.2 amd64 serial memstick will install to SSD in an APU no problem.

A Former User

That's what i feared.
When i try booting from the SSD i get some sort of catastrophic error - or to put i more correctly. It does not even start booting before the error.
Does anybody know if I can use other types of SSD drives for the APU or do I have to get the same model?

bennyc

To my knowledge there is no limitation on brand or type in terms of "working". (I suppose you are refering to the mSata SSD)
You should do some research, there seems to be some quality differences between the different "brands". (also keep trim in mind if you run a full install on it)
I have a non-factory (pcengines) mSata, retail available msata ssd of 30GB and no issues so far. (not going to mention the brand here, don't want to influence any decision ;D)

A Former User

Hehe. By all means bennyc, please influence my decision:)
I have done some quick research, and came up with Kingston SSDNow mS200. I can get it locally here in Norway and there seems to be a german store providing APU that sells it, and it supports TRIM. I'd find it hard to believe that a store selling APU's would sell an incompatible SSD :)
http://www.apu-board.de/produkte/kingstonms200.html

Good choice?

cmb

The APU isn't picky about SSDs that I'm aware of, anything will probably work. With SSDs in general, it's more about getting good quality hardware. We've seen some quality issues with Kingston SSDs in the past (though the 2.5" SATA ones), but no idea about that one in particular.

pLu

@Sieges:

I have done some quick research, and came up with Kingston SSDNow mS200. I can get it locally here in Norway and there seems to be a german store providing APU that sells it, and it supports TRIM. I'd find it hard to believe that a store selling APU's would sell an incompatible SSD :)
http://www.apu-board.de/produkte/kingstonms200.html

Good choice?

I've been using one in an APU for about half a year without problems but I'm also using memory file system for /tmp and /var so I've been very nice to it.

bennyc

Well, mine is also that Kingston type… and I haven't been so nice to it, but it stands up-to now 8)
I enabled trim, but as it is a home environment I really doubt it gets much 'wear'. I have no write intensive packages, so I expect it to survive a couple of years easily. (enough until something new replaces it)
However, because of the warnings received for the brand (negative reviews), I prepped an old SD card as well which is in standby in the APU ((boot order selects mSATA first. Same trick should go with usb, but haven't tested it)).
Should I run into trouble with the Kingston, at least I will be able to boot and order a new SSD using an internet connection ;).

That is of course, only when the SSD is to blame and the APU isn't dead (..;D..)

A Former User

Thanks all for your inputs. :) I have ordered the Kingston.
Do I need to do anything in particular during installation or is it just a matter of unplugging the old one, plug in the Kingston and install pfSense? No setting changes?

bennyc

I can't remember I had to change anything… Should be true plug and ~~play~~ install. After install, enable trim.

A Former User

Like this?
http://dormannetworks.com/node/14

pLu

Boot into single user mode and run "tunefs -t enable /".

A Former User

Thank you for everybody’s help. I really do appreciate it!

:D

bennyc

I took note from another how-to somewhere here on the forum, so all credits to the guy who originally posted it.
But here were the instructions I followed:

1. start serial console
2. Run "/usr/local/sbin/ufslabels.sh" (this will change the UUID in fstab or else it will not boot anymore when doing the next step. (confirm-> yes))
3. Add ahci_load="YES" to /boot/loader.conf.local
4. Reboot
5. Start pfSense in single user mode (option 5) and press return when asked for it (go to sbin #)
6. Run "/sbin/tunefs -t enable /"
7. Run "/sbin/reboot"
8. Check if TRIM is enabled with "tunefs -p /"

pLu

Steps 4-8 should be enough with pfSense 2.2.