I’m trying to install 13.1, 64-bit on a new machine. I’m using the same install DVD that I used without problems on my last install (on a different machine). I’m wondering if maybe there’s a problem with my DVD drive.
Any suggestions?
BTW, when I run “validate install media” it checks fine.
On Sun, 23 Mar 2014 16:26:02 +0000, Yippee38 wrote:
> I’m trying to install 13.1, 64-bit on a new machine. I’m using the same
> install DVD that I used without problems on my last install (on a
> different machine). I’m wondering if maybe there’s a problem with my
> DVD drive.
>
> Any suggestions?
At what point do you get that error message?
Jim
–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C
Sorry. I should have included that.
I get the “Loading Linux Kernel” progress bar. That completes, then I get standard text messages scrolling across the screen. Finally, there is a three-shade, green progress bar across the bottom. When it gets to about 80%, I get the error.
Did the other machine not have UEFI, and this new machine does have UEFI?
Yes. Exactly.
You can press the <ESC> escape key while booting to see what is going on, then you have an idea where it stops. 
Be sure to boot the install media in EFI mode. This is done by accessing the efi BIOS at boot and selecting efi mode NOT legacy
What a PITA.
Finally figured out how to boot to EFI mode. I’ve got an ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ motherboard with the latest BIOS version. In order to boot to EFI mode, I have to, in the BIOS, go to Security > Safe Boot > Disabled. Then, in the boot menu, select the boot device order and look for my DVD drive. There are two entries for it; one says, “AHCI: DVD Writer” and the other says, “EFI: DVD Writer”. I have to select the EFI version and make sure the AHCI version is not selected. (In case anybody else is having similar trouble figuring it out.)
I did that. Now my install screen is different. I no longer get the install screen shown here in step 1:
https://activedoc.opensuse.org/book/opensuse-start-up/chapter-1-installation-quick-start
Instead, I get a black screen with reverse letters (grey background and black letters) saying, “Welcome to GRUB!”. Then the screen changes to an openSUSE install screen that is completely different. It says, “openSUSE 13.1” in small, white letters across the top. On the left-side of the screen it says, “openSUSE” below the lizard and to the right of that in large letter, it says, “13.1”. Between the “openSUSE” and lizard; and the “13.1” there is a vertical row of three grey dots. On the menu part of the screen, I have three lines. Each has a green lizard head in a circle to the left. The three options are, “Installation”, “Rescue System”, and “Check Installed Media”. It does not have the F1 - F6 options at the bottom. Space bar does not allow me to enter startup options. The only way I can do that is by hitting the “E” key. That brings up an emacs-type editor window. With that, I can edit the one grub boot menu item.
Here’s what that one entry looks like for me:
setparams 'Installation'
set gfxpayload=keep
echo 'loading kernel ...'
linuxefi /boot/x86_64/loader linux install=http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/13.1/repo/oss/
echo 'loading initial ramdisk'
initrdefi /boot/x86_64/loader/initrd
I’ve been having trouble with getting a black screen while trying to install. I figured out, from help on the forums, that I need to “nomodeset” parameter set to avoid that black screen.
Looking at that install entry, it’s clear to me why I am getting the error about not finding the repository. That’s because, for some strange reason, openSUSE is trying to install from the internet. I initially tried to do a net install from a memory stick, but after having the black screen problems, I bought an optical drive to do a normal DVD install. However, the system has somehow stored my original installation settings and keeps trying to do a net install. I’m guessing that it’s storing that info in the BIOS (EFI) somewhere. I used parted magic to remove all partitions and the partition table off of the hard disk. That’s what makes me think the install info is stored in the BIOS.
So is there a way to get rid of that stored information? Failing that, how can I enter static IP information that would allow the system to see the online repositories? BTW, I would much prefer to be able to do the install using the DVD than doing it online.
I doubt that it is storing that information anywhere, especially not in the BIOS. (but then I don’t know anything about an UEFI install)
Are you sure you are booting from the correct drive?
Have you downloaded the FULL DVD (~4.7 GB) or did you burn the NETinstall ISO that you downloaded before?
Those are completely different media downloads. The latter one of course only does a network install, even when you burn it to a DVD… 
Btw, you can write the InstallationDVD to an USB stick as well, no need to use an optical drive.
Yes. It’s listed as an “ASUS DVD” as opposed to a “WDC” hard drive.
I downloaded and burned the FULL DVD when 13.1 first came out. That’s the disk I am attempting to install now. The net install ISO that I downloaded, I put on an USB stick.
I cannot put the Installation DVD on my USB stick because it’s not large enough to hold it.
It’s storing something somewhere, because otherwise it wouldn’t be trying to do a net install. As I said, I deleted all of the partitions (there was only 1) on the hard disk and deleted the mbr of that disk. So it can’t be saving it to the drive. It isn’t saving it to memory, since I’ve pulled the power more than once. The only place left is the BIOS. However, I’ll be the first to admit that I had no idea what UEFI was until today.
What I meant was that you maybe still have the USB stick connected (with the NET-Installer), and are booting from that by mistake instead of the optical drive with the DVD.
Other than that I have no idea, sorry.
On Mon 24 Mar 2014 05:26:01 PM CDT, Yippee38 wrote:
wolfi323;2632650 Wrote:
> I doubt that it is storing that information anywhere, especially not
> in the BIOS. (but then I don’t know anything about an UEFI install)
>
> Are you sure you are booting from the correct drive?
>
> Have you downloaded the FULL DVD (~4.7 GB) or did you burn the
> NETinstall ISO that you downloaded before?
> Those are completely different media downloads. The latter one of
> course only does a network install, even when you burn it to a
> DVD…
>
> Btw, you can write the InstallationDVD to an USB stick as well, no
> need to use an optical drive.
Yes. It’s listed as an “ASUS DVD” as opposed to a “WDC” hard drive.
I downloaded and burned the FULL DVD when 13.1 first came out. That’s
the disk I am attempting to install now. The net install ISO that I
downloaded, I put on an USB stick.
I cannot put the Installation DVD on my USB stick because it’s not large
enough to hold it.
It’s storing something somewhere, because otherwise it wouldn’t be
trying to do a net install. As I said, I deleted all of the partitions
(there was only 1) on the hard disk and deleted the mbr of that disk.
So it can’t be saving it to the drive. It isn’t saving it to memory,
since I’ve pulled the power more than once. The only place left is the
BIOS. However, I’ll be the first to admit that I had no idea what UEFI
was until today.
Hi
There could be some efi variables still present (UEFI does that).
However, you should ensure secure boot is enabled and boot from the
UEFI media, if it doesn’t boot into efi mode, then you need to browse
to the efi file called shim.efi of the boot media and select that.
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
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I thought I was supposed to have secure boot disabled. Ok. I’ll try that.
There should not be any shim.efi file on the boot media since it’s a DVD, but I’ll check.
There is no shim.efi file on the DVD.
Nope. The USB stick is definitely NOT in the machine.
Although there was no shim.efi file, there are a couple of .efi files (one was grub.efi, I can’t remember the other). Maybe somehow that info got written to the DVD. It doesn’t seem likely, but I can’t figure what else could be the issue. Either that, or maybe the disk is messed up/scratched.
I’m going to re-burn it and try it with a new disk.
On 2014-03-24 17:46, Yippee38 wrote:
> However, the system has somehow stored my original
> installation settings and keeps trying to do a net install. I’m
> guessing that it’s storing that info in the BIOS (EFI) somewhere.
Well, UEFI certainly has an area to store things, yes. Look on the
release notes for 13.1, this is mentioned.
> So is there a way to get rid of that stored information?
Firmware update… in the assumption that the firmware is not clearing
stale entries. I don’t know if a program exists to manipulate that area.
See release notes.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)
On 2014-03-24 20:06, Yippee38 wrote:
> I’m going to re-burn it and try it with a new disk.
Just use the verify entry on the menu…
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)
I did, and it came back as fine.
On Mon 24 Mar 2014 07:06:02 PM CDT, Yippee38 wrote:
Although there was no shim.efi file, there are a couple of .efi files
(one was grub.efi, I can’t remember the other). Maybe somehow that info
got written to the DVD. It doesn’t seem likely, but I can’t figure what
else could be the issue. Either that, or maybe the disk is messed
up/scratched.
I’m going to re-burn it and try it with a new disk.
Hi
Hmm, my bad, that gets produced after install, grubx86.efi, boot from
this one.
–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
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please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!
How would I specify to boot from that .efi file?