The big picture is I'm wanting to boot centos 7 and install kvm.
So far I've created on this new laptop a big, empty partition; in the BIOS enabled legacy booting and disabled UEFI; also in BIOS under Legacy Boot Order set "USB diskette on key/USB hard disk" on second priority. I've tried to boot from a usb thumbdrive three times and it failed all three times. I'm not understanding what's wrong.
I tried all three methods below as root using CentOS 5.11, copied it to the thumbdrive with:
dd if=CentOS-7-x86_64-Everything-1503-01.iso of=/dev/sda bs=1024
(Tried this because some webpage said)
isohybrid CentOS-7-x86_64-Everything-1503-01.iso
dd if=~CentOS-7-x86_64-DVD-1503-01.iso of=/dev/sda
None of these successfully booted. Instead they ignored the flash drive as it wasn't there.
Documentation in various webpages I found gave different recipes for creating the thumbdrive contents (many of which didn't make sense to me). Does anyone have experience with success with this...?
Thanks much.
PS. Also in the BIOS, should I enable Virtualization Technology? I'm sorting guess I should. The Windows docs recommend not to. I'm thinking though it would be preferred for KVM. What's the certain verdict?
On Sun, 13 Dec 2015 16:48:25 -0500 ken wrote:
So far I've created on this new laptop a big, empty partition; in the BIOS enabled legacy booting and disabled UEFI; also in BIOS under Legacy Boot Order set "USB diskette on key/USB hard disk" on second priority. I've tried to boot from a usb thumbdrive three times and it failed all three times. I'm not understanding what's wrong.
I install Centos on pretty much everything by setting the bios to use USB as the primary boot device, then booting the Centos Live Image from a flash drive, then hitting the "install to hard drive" icon on the Live Desktop. After the installation is complete, set the bios back to use the hard drive as the primary boot device and you're all set.
On 12/13/2015 05:00 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Sun, 13 Dec 2015 16:48:25 -0500 ken wrote:
So far I've created on this new laptop a big, empty partition; in the BIOS enabled legacy booting and disabled UEFI; also in BIOS under Legacy Boot Order set "USB diskette on key/USB hard disk" on second priority. I've tried to boot from a usb thumbdrive three times and it failed all three times. I'm not understanding what's wrong.
I install Centos on pretty much everything by setting the bios to use USB as the primary boot device, then booting the Centos Live Image from a flash drive, then hitting the "install to hard drive" icon on the Live Desktop. After the installation is complete, set the bios back to use the hard drive as the primary boot device and you're all set.
Aha! The problem was that, despite legacy was enabled and uefi was disabled, the bios followed 'uefi boot order' and disregarded 'legacy boot order'. Once I changed uefi boot order appropriately, the bios booted the thumbdrive.
However, when the centos menu came up, i.e.:
Install CentOS 7 Test this media & install CentOS 7 Troubleshooting -->
[use 'e' or 'c' keys]
regardless of which of the above three I selected via right-arrow, I was prompted by:
error: invalid magic number. error: you need to load the kernel first. Press any key to continue...
I tried also using the 'e' and 'c' keys off this menu; this brought into other menus (which are too much to type up) and on another menu where ^E and ^X can be used to 'edit' and 'execute' boot statements, none of which works correctly or is obvious what to alter or enter.
I also got into an interface with a 'grub>' prompt. I tried some of the grub commands, but had little clue what to do with that. E.g., "linuxefi /isolinux/isolinux.bin" returned "error: invalid magic number." Interesting, but not getting CentOS 7 booted.
Any know what else is possible?
On 12/13/2015 01:48 PM, ken wrote:
So far I've created on this new laptop a big, empty partition; in the BIOS enabled legacy booting and disabled UEFI;
I'd recommend not doing that. If you're planning to dual-boot, you'll have to reinstall your other OS after changing the boot type. There shouldn't be any reason to disable UEFI or, in most cases, Secure Boot.
On 12/14/2015 12:45 PM, Gordon Messmer wrote:
On 12/13/2015 01:48 PM, ken wrote:
So far I've created on this new laptop a big, empty partition; in the BIOS enabled legacy booting and disabled UEFI;
I'd recommend not doing that. If you're planning to dual-boot, you'll have to reinstall your other OS after changing the boot type. There shouldn't be any reason to disable UEFI or, in most cases, Secure Boot.
Thanks, Gordon. A lot of talk on Googleland talks about setting the BIOS to legacy mode, so that's the way I went. Centos 7 said nothing the contrary either... or doesn't say much otherwise. But so, yes, taking your advice: I reset all default BIOS settings to previously (UEFI enabled, Legacy disabled) and then accessing the flashdrive at the top of the list.
However now booting again, the CentOS 7 menu items all lead to these errors:
-------------- Image too small error: /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz has invalid signature error: you need to load the kernel first.
Press 'e' to edit the selected line, or 'c' for a command prompt. --------------
Any suggestions as to what to do here?
On 12/14/2015 05:08 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:03:26 -0500 ken wrote:
Any suggestions as to what to do here?
I guess you still haven't tried booting the Live image?
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
On 12/14/2015 2:16 PM, ken wrote:
On 12/14/2015 05:08 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:03:26 -0500 ken wrote:
Any suggestions as to what to do here?
I guess you still haven't tried booting the Live image?
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
I don't know where you're finding these, but here's an official mirror of all of the latest C7 ISO's http://mirrors.mit.edu/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
the 7.1.1503 files are here, http://mirrors.mit.edu/centos/7.1.1503/isos/x86_64/
I usually use -Minimal- and use yum to install additional components as needed.
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:16:42 -0500 ken wrote:
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/0_README.txt
That lists the different images that are available. I use the Live Gnome CD image to boot the machine, then click on Install to Hard Drive icon, install that, then remove the stuff that I don't want and install what I do want afterward.
A nice side-effect is that you get to test your hardware compatibility before going through all of the song and dance to actually install the operating system.
On 12/14/2015 05:29 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:16:42 -0500 ken wrote:
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/0_README.txt
That lists the different images that are available. I use the Live Gnome CD image to boot the machine, then click on Install to Hard Drive icon, install that, then remove the stuff that I don't want and install what I do want afterward.
A nice side-effect is that you get to test your hardware compatibility before going through all of the song and dance to actually install the operating system.
I just started downloading http://buildlogs.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/CentOS-7-livecd-GNOME-x86_6..., one of the newer (July 2014) gnome livecd things. Weird that the newer ISOs seem to be broke.
Thanks to everyone to help figure out how all this works.
On 12/14/2015 04:53 PM, ken wrote:
On 12/14/2015 05:29 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:16:42 -0500 ken wrote:
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/0_README.txt
That lists the different images that are available. I use the Live Gnome CD image to boot the machine, then click on Install to Hard Drive icon, install that, then remove the stuff that I don't want and install what I do want afterward.
A nice side-effect is that you get to test your hardware compatibility before going through all of the song and dance to actually install the operating system.
I just started downloading http://buildlogs.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/CentOS-7-livecd-GNOME-x86_6..., one of the newer (July 2014) gnome livecd things. Weird that the newer ISOs seem to be broke.
Thanks to everyone to help figure out how all this works.
The newer isos work fine. The fact that there was a key problem SOUNDS like your Firmware has an issue with our secureboot key. Sometimes a firmware update fixes bad CA certs from the OEM.
We just released 7.1511 (based on RHEL 7.2 Sources) .. I extensively tested the secureboot/uefi installs on 3 separate machines from 3 manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo).
Download either of these ISOs (whichever one you want to use .. they all work when doing dd to copy to a usb key and they all do secure boot):
http://isoredirect.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
(Pick a mirror close to you)
You want one of the ISOs listed here:
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/sha256sum.txt
If you want to know what each ISO does, read this:
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/0_README.txt
I would recommend either DVD, LiveGNOME if you want to install everything from an ISO .. OR .. Minimal if you understand how to use 'yum group list' and 'yum group install'.
On 12/14/2015 06:32 PM, Johnny Hughes wrote:
On 12/14/2015 04:53 PM, ken wrote:
On 12/14/2015 05:29 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:16:42 -0500 ken wrote:
How? I downloaded two (larger) of the three Centos 7 ISOs I could find... the only ones I could find. (I listed on names of the ISOs in my first post to this thread.)
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/0_README.txt
That lists the different images that are available. I use the Live Gnome CD image to boot the machine, then click on Install to Hard Drive icon, install that, then remove the stuff that I don't want and install what I do want afterward.
A nice side-effect is that you get to test your hardware compatibility before going through all of the song and dance to actually install the operating system.
It's good to that. I've just tried that seven times (three different flashdrives 'dd' using different USB ports, then created one CD) and the media test failed each time. I wish those downloads listed cksums/md5sums.
I just started downloading http://buildlogs.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/CentOS-7-livecd-GNOME-x86_6..., one of the newer (July 2014) gnome livecd things. Weird that the newer ISOs seem to be broke.
Thanks to everyone to help figure out how all this works.
The newer isos work fine. The fact that there was a key problem SOUNDS like your Firmware has an issue with our secureboot key. Sometimes a firmware update fixes bad CA certs from the OEM.
I checked the BIOS firmware just a couple days ago, the latest version was already installed. So the laptop out of the carton was fine.
We just released 7.1511 (based on RHEL 7.2 Sources) .. I extensively tested the secureboot/uefi installs on 3 separate machines from 3 manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo).
Download either of these ISOs (whichever one you want to use .. they all work when doing dd to copy to a usb key and they all do secure boot):
http://isoredirect.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
(Pick a mirror close to you)
You want one of the ISOs listed here:
http://mirror.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/sha256sum.txt
If you want to know what each ISO does, read this:
It's good to have all this info together in one email.
On the other hand, people should know the Minimal really sucks:
* No dual-boot set up. It just blithely wiped out the ability to boot up Windows. At some point I'm going to have to recover my Windows install because of this install. Every Linux install I've ever done-- out of hundreds of them and going back to 1992-- has gracefully and easily set up a dual-boot. The README should at minimum mention that. Better yet, the install's name should be given "Non-dual-boot.iso".
* The resultant OS was text only. I.e., it wouldn't run init 5... trying to do so would cause to hang.
* Maybe the above problem was due to bad coding somewhere-- the entire OS horked a couple times... then I finally saw error code saying, "kernel panic". I haven't gotten one of those in decades.
Geez, what a terrible ISO distro!
On 12/15/2015 10:15 AM, ken wrote:
It's good to that. I've just tried that seven times (three different flashdrives 'dd' using different USB ports, then created one CD) and the media test failed each time. I wish those downloads listed cksums/md5sums.
As far as I can tell, they do: http://mirror.confluxtech.com/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
Various sums for the ISOs, and signatures for the sum file.
It's good to have all this info together in one email.
On the other hand, people should know the Minimal really sucks:
- No dual-boot set up.
CentOS is a rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, whose target use case is business servers and workstations. Dual-boot is not a typical or supported use case for RHEL.
Dual-boot can be set up manually by editing /etc/grub.d/40_custom:
menuentry "Windows" { set root='(hd0,1)' chainloader +1 }
Adjust (hd0,1) to match the partition number where Windows is installed.
Run "grub2-mkconfig -o /etc/grub2-efi.cfg"
- The resultant OS was text only. I.e., it wouldn't run init 5...
trying to do so would cause to hang.
I don't recall who recommended that you use the Minimal ISO, but it was bad advice. Minimal is useful to experienced admins who want to build a very small system image with only the specific packages they need. It can be used to build a desktop system, but that's a lot of work (or knowledge).
You would have been better off with CentOS-7-x86_64-DVD-1511.iso or CentOS-7-x86_64-LiveGNOME-1511.iso (or KDE). I apologize on everyone's behalf for not contradicting that advice.
- Maybe the above problem was due to bad coding somewhere-- the entire
OS horked a couple times... then I finally saw error code saying, "kernel panic". I haven't gotten one of those in decades.
There's not much to go on there. We have no idea what caused the panic, whether it was a bug or not.
Geez, what a terrible ISO distro!
I don't think that's a fair assessment. CentOS (and RHEL) is one of the most stable systems I've ever used.
On 12/15/2015 01:50 PM, Gordon Messmer wrote:
On 12/15/2015 10:15 AM, ken wrote:
It's good to that. I've just tried that seven times (three different flashdrives 'dd' using different USB ports, then created one CD) and the media test failed each time. I wish those downloads listed cksums/md5sums.
As far as I can tell, they do: http://mirror.confluxtech.com/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
Various sums for the ISOs, and signatures for the sum file.
Sure, maybe it's possible to chase down the information. It used to be that info was (eminently sensible) on the same webpage. We're getting away from sensible webpages.
It's good to have all this info together in one email.
On the other hand, people should know the Minimal really sucks:
- No dual-boot set up.
CentOS is a rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, whose target use case is business servers and workstations. Dual-boot is not a typical or supported use case for RHEL.
I figured it was a simple hand-off from RH. Just because it's from RH doesn't means it makes sense. It also doesn't necessarily mean that CentOS couldn't do a better job of it... especially that it horks dual booting.
Dual-boot can be set up manually by editing /etc/grub.d/40_custom:
menuentry "Windows" { set root='(hd0,1)' chainloader +1 }Adjust (hd0,1) to match the partition number where Windows is installed.
Run "grub2-mkconfig -o /etc/grub2-efi.cfg"
Thanks much for that. I'll give that a try. The question arises, if it's this easy to do by hand, why couldn't the code (if not from RH, then at least from CentOS) build a little option in to preserve dual-booting (for many folks who don't have a helpful dude like yourself nearby in the email list)?
- The resultant OS was text only. I.e., it wouldn't run init 5...
trying to do so would cause to hang.
I don't recall who recommended that you use the Minimal ISO, but it was bad advice. Minimal is useful to experienced admins who want to build a very small system image with only the specific packages they need. It can be used to build a desktop system, but that's a lot of work (or knowledge).
You would have been better off with CentOS-7-x86_64-DVD-1511.iso or CentOS-7-x86_64-LiveGNOME-1511.iso (or KDE). I apologize on everyone's behalf for not contradicting that advice.
You don't have to apologize. There's whole lot of documentation needed.
- Maybe the above problem was due to bad coding somewhere-- the entire
OS horked a couple times... then I finally saw error code saying, "kernel panic". I haven't gotten one of those in decades.
There's not much to go on there. We have no idea what caused the panic, whether it was a bug or not.
I corroborated the md5sum all along with way from the source on the web to the finished CD. The installed OS hung once, black-screened, and a third (and last) time hung with "kernel panic" (and a lot of other error language). I checked the web if there was any mention of problems with linux with my cpu, but found only people mentioned video configuration (not relevant in this situation). I've been using Windows for several days and had zero problems which would indicate any hardware problems. Maybe other folks would need to see if they're having the same or contrary experience. Until then, I have to stand with my assessment.
Geez, what a terrible ISO distro!
I don't think that's a fair assessment. CentOS (and RHEL) is one of the most stable systems I've ever used.
I mean only the Minimal v.7... this distro-package, not CentOS or RH altogether. I've been a fan of the latter for a long time. Even rarely RH can squeeze out a real hot stinker.
On 12/15/2015 12:03 PM, ken wrote:
CentOS is a rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, whose target use case is business servers and workstations. Dual-boot is not a typical or supported use case for RHEL.
I figured it was a simple hand-off from RH. Just because it's from RH doesn't means it makes sense. It also doesn't necessarily mean that CentOS couldn't do a better job of it... especially that it horks dual booting.
Actually, it does mean that CentOS can't do a better job of it. CentOS is a rebuild. Period. They only changes they make are to remove Red Hat's branding.
Red Hat does what Red Hat's customers pay them to do. In that respect, it makes perfect sense.
Thanks much for that. I'll give that a try. The question arises, if it's this easy to do by hand, why couldn't the code (if not from RH, then at least from CentOS) build a little option in to preserve dual-booting (for many folks who don't have a helpful dude like yourself nearby in the email list)?
Detecting an actual Windows install involves code that's not included in RHEL or CentOS. The file required isn't very complex, but that's because in this case you have information that the software does not.
Geez, what a terrible ISO distro!
I don't think that's a fair assessment. CentOS (and RHEL) is one of the most stable systems I've ever used.
I mean only the Minimal v.7... this distro-package, not CentOS or RH altogether. I've been a fan of the latter for a long time. Even rarely RH can squeeze out a real hot stinker.
Minimal has its place, and serves that niche well enough. I don't think it's useful for new users, though.
On 12/14/2015 05:08 PM, Frank Cox wrote:
On Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:03:26 -0500 ken wrote:
Any suggestions as to what to do here?
I guess you still haven't tried booting the Live image?
Frank, I found another page with long list of them:
http://buildlogs.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
Which seems to work for you? (Obviously, some work better than others.)
On 12/14/2015 2:37 PM, ken wrote:
http://buildlogs.centos.org/centos/7/isos/x86_64/
Which seems to work for you? (Obviously, some work better than others.)
those appear to be old, maybe even pre-releases, as they don't follow the proper name conventions. use either of the two links in my previous message.
-
Frank Cox -
Gordon Messmer -
John R Pierce -
Johnny Hughes -
ken