Difference between revisions of "Installation Guide"

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== '''Introduction''' ==
 
== '''Introduction''' ==
GhostBSD comes with a Graphical installer call GBI. GBI is a GTK graphical BSD installer program written by Eric Turgeon and introduced in 2011 for GhostBSD 2.5. GBI uses the [http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=pc-sysinstall pc-sysinstall] back-end developed by [http://www.pcbsd.org/en/kris-moore.html Kris Moore of PC-BSD].
+
GhostBSD comes with a Graphical installer call GBI.  
  
 
After reading this chapter, you will know:
 
After reading this chapter, you will know:
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=== Supported Processors ===
 
=== Supported Processors ===
  
GhostBSD installs on any system containing a 64-bit (amd64) processor architecture. The amd64 name refers to AMD64 (“Hammer”) and Intel® EM64T architectures. [https://www.freebsd.org/releases/11.0R/hardware.html#proc-amd64 The FreeBSD 12.0 Hardware Notes] lists the amd64 processors known to work.
+
GhostBSD installs on any system containing a 64-bit (amd64) processor architecture. The amd64 name refers to AMD64 (“Hammer”) and Intel® EM64T architectures. [https://www.freebsd.org/releases/13.0R/hardware/#proc-amd64 The FreeBSD 13.0 Hardware Notes] lists the amd64 processors known to work.
  
 
=== Supported Video Cards ===
 
=== Supported Video Cards ===
  
GhostBSD uses X.org drivers for graphics support. During installation, graphics support will be configured automatically.
+
GhostBSD uses X.org drivers for graphics support. During installation, graphics support will be configured automatically. Support for the major graphic vendors is as follows:
 
+
;Support for the major graphic vendors is as follows:
+
  
 
'''NVIDIA:''' if you want to use 3D acceleration, NVIDIA is currently the best supported as there is a native driver for GhostBSD.
 
'''NVIDIA:''' if you want to use 3D acceleration, NVIDIA is currently the best supported as there is a native driver for GhostBSD.
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=== Check for FreeBSD Errata ===
 
=== Check for FreeBSD Errata ===
  
GhostBSD is based on Trueos, and TrueOS is based on FreeBSD. Although the TrueOS Project strives to ensure that each release of TrueOS is as stable as possible, bugs occasionally creep into the process. On very rare occasions those bugs affect the installation process. As these problems are discovered and fixed, they are noted in [https://www.freebsd.org/releases/12.0R/errata.html ''12.0-RELEASE Errata'' page on the FreeBSD web site]. Check the errata before installing to make sure that there are no problems that might affect the installation.
+
GhostBSD is based on Trueos, and TrueOS is based on FreeBSD. Although the TrueOS Project strives to ensure that each release of TrueOS is as stable as possible, bugs occasionally creep into the process. On very rare occasions those bugs affect the installation process. As these problems are discovered and fixed, they are noted in [https://www.freebsd.org/releases/13.0R/errata.html ''13.0-RELEASE Errata'' page on the FreeBSD web site]. Check the errata before installing to make sure that there are no problems that might affect the installation.
  
 
=== Prepare the Installation Media ===
 
=== Prepare the Installation Media ===
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=== Creating a bootable USB Flash Drive ===
 
=== Creating a bootable USB Flash Drive ===
 
==== Introduction ====
 
  
 
After downloading the appropriate .iso file, copy it to a USB flash drive using one of the methods described below. Depending on the operating system, issue one of the following appropriate commands:
 
After downloading the appropriate .iso file, copy it to a USB flash drive using one of the methods described below. Depending on the operating system, issue one of the following appropriate commands:
Line 79: Line 75:
 
==== On BSD ====
 
==== On BSD ====
  
: <code>dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD19.04.iso of=/dev/da0 bs=4m conv=sync</code>
+
: <code>dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/da0 bs=4m</code>
  
 
==== On Linux ====
 
==== On Linux ====
  
: <code>sudo dd if=GhostBSD19.04.iso of=/dev/sdf bs=4M conv=sync</code>
+
: <code>sudo dd if=GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/sdf bs=4M</code>
  
 
==== On Mac ====
 
==== On Mac ====
  
: <code>dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD19.04.iso of=/dev/disk2 bs=10240 conv=sync</code>
+
: <code>dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/disk2 bs=10240</code>
  
 
==== On Windows ====
 
==== On Windows ====
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==== Other USB Flash writer tools for Windows ====
 
==== Other USB Flash writer tools for Windows ====
  
Balena Etcher  [https://etcher.io] Works for Windows, macOS, & Linux
+
Balena Etcher  [https://etcher.io] Works for Windows, macOS, & Linux.
 
Rufus  [https://rufus.ie]  Works just for Windows, needs a checkbox selected to do a pure write of .ISO image file
 
Rufus  [https://rufus.ie]  Works just for Windows, needs a checkbox selected to do a pure write of .ISO image file
  
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If your computer starts up by loading your existing operating system, then either:
 
If your computer starts up by loading your existing operating system, then either:
* The installation media (e.g., DVD) was not inserted early enough in the boot process. Ensure the installation media has been inserted, then restart the computer.
+
* The installation media was not inserted early enough in the boot process. Ensure the installation media has been inserted, then restart the computer.
 
* The BIOS changes were not saved correctly. Review the BIOS settings and enable the correct boot setting.
 
* The BIOS changes were not saved correctly. Review the BIOS settings and enable the correct boot setting.
* Your BIOS does not support booting from the desired media. The Plop Boot Manager can be used to boot older computers from CD or USB media.
+
* Your BIOS does not support booting from the desired media.  
  
 
As GhostBSD begins to boot, you will see a black screen with similar text to this:
 
As GhostBSD begins to boot, you will see a black screen with similar text to this:
  
 
[[File:Boot-Menu.png|460px|]]
 
[[File:Boot-Menu.png|460px|]]
 +
 +
== '''Start Installer''' ==
 +
After you boot into the GhostBSD Live session, open a terminal window and start the installer with `gbi`.
  
 
== '''Setting Language, Keyboard and Timezone''' ==
 
== '''Setting Language, Keyboard and Timezone''' ==
Line 168: Line 167:
 
[[File:Installer-Select-Timezone-Continent.PNG|460px|]]
 
[[File:Installer-Select-Timezone-Continent.PNG|460px|]]
  
== '''Entire Disk Installation''' ==
 
  
===  Select Installation Type and Boot Manager ===
+
== '''ZFS Full Disk Installation''' ==
  
Select the ''Use Entire Disk'' option to install GhostBSD on the entire disk selected.
 
  
[[File:Installer-Select-Installation-Type-and-Boot-Manager.PNG|460px|]]
+
=== Selecting Installation Type ===
 
+
=== Select Hard Disk Drive(s) ===
+
 
+
If a single disk is shown, select the disk. If multiple disks are shown, select the disks where GhostBSD will be installed.
+
 
+
[[File:Installer-UFS-Full-Disk-Configuration.PNG|460px|]]
+
 
+
 
+
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
|'''Warning!''' Make sure to Back up all important data on the target disk where GhostBSD will be installed. The GhostBSD installer will not ask before making changes to the disk, but once the process has started, it cannot be undone.
+
|}
+
 
+
== '''Auto Label Partitioning Installation''' ==
+
 
+
'''Auto label Partition''' can create a partition slice. It lets you choose how much space you want to use on the hard drive and automatically allocate a root(/) with UFS Journaling softupdates, SU+J and a swap that will equal the system ram. Using '''Auto label Partition''' is inspired by Windows partitioning. No worry about labelling partition, on most other systems it is not an option. 
+
 
+
 
+
=== Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager ===
+
 
   
 
   
  
 
'''Figure 2.6a: Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager'''
 
'''Figure 2.6a: Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager'''
  
[[File:Installer-Select-Installation-Type-and-Boot-Manager.PNG|460px|]]
+
[[File:Installer-Select-Installation-Type.png|460px|]]
  
  
==== Choosing Disks ====
+
=== Choosing Disks ===
  
 
Choose the disk where GhostBSD is to be installed.
 
Choose the disk where GhostBSD is to be installed.
  
[[File:Installer-UFS-Full-Disk-Configuration.PNG|460px]]
+
[[File:Installer-ZFS-Full-Disk-Configuration.PNG|460px]]
  
==== Auto label Partition ====
 
  
Select ''Auto label Partition'' to edit partition slice to the disk you want to install GhostBSD.
+
=== Boot Option ===
  
==== BSD Boot Loader ====
+
Select an available boot option.
  
GhostBSD can be installed with or without a bootloader. If you dual boot with GNU/Linux on the same disk, you should use your Gnu/Linux Grub. We recommend you to use GhostBSD Boot Loader with MS Windows.
+
[[File:Boot-Option.png|460px|]]
  
=== Editing slice partition ===
 
  
To create a partition for GhostBSD we recommend using at least 10GB.
+
== '''Custom Disk Configuration for UFS and ZFS''' ==
  
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
Note: Process description coming soon.
|'''Warning!''' Make sure to Back up all important data before editing the target disk where GhostBSD will be installed. The GhostBSD installer partition editor is a real-time editor and it will not ask you before making changes to the disk, once the process has started it cannot be undone.
+
+
|}
+
 
+
'''Figure 2.6b: Editing slice partition'''
+
 
+
[[File:Slice.png]]
+
 
+
 
+
==== Creating Partition ====
+
To create a partition select the free space and click on add then ''Create'' button. adjust the space to the desired space.
+
 
+
==== Deleting Partition ====
+
To delete some partition select the partition to delete and press the ''Delete'' button.
+
 
+
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
|'''Note:''' you have to select the right partition to install GhostBSD before pressing ''Forward''.
+
|}
+
 
+
== '''Custom Disk Partitioning Installation''' ==
+
 
+
 
+
'''Customize Disk Partition''' is the advanced user option, this is able to create custom partition slice and create multiple label. '''Customize Disk Partition''' lets you choose how much space to use on the hard drive. It also lets you allocate the label as wished. UFS, UFS Journaling softupdates, SU+J and a swap that should equal the system ram.
+
 
+
=== Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager ===
+
+
 
+
'''Figure 2.7a: Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager'''
+
 
+
 
+
==== Choosing Disks ====
+
 
+
Choose the disk where GhostBSD is to be installed.
+
 
+
 
+
==== Auto label Partition ====
+
 
+
Select ''Auto label Partition'' to edit partition slice to the disk you want to install GhostBSD.
+
 
+
==== BSD Boot Loader ====
+
 
+
GhostBSD can be installed with or without a bootloader. If you dual boot with GNU/Linux on the same disk, you should use your Gnu/Linux Grub. We recommend you to use GhostBSD Boot Loader with MS Windows.
+
 
+
=== Editing slice partition ===
+
 
+
To create a partition for GhostBSD you need at least 10gb.
+
 
+
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
|'''Warning!''' Make sure to back up all important data before editing the target disk where GhostBSD will be installed. The GhostBSD installer partition editor is a real time editor and it will not ask you before making changes to the disk, but once the process has started it cannot be undone.
+
+
|}
+
 
+
'''Figure 2.7b: Editing slice partition'''
+
 
+
[[File:Slice.png]]
+
 
+
(This screen may look a bit differently on later versions.)
+
 
+
==== Creating Partition ====
+
 
+
To create a partition select the free space and click on the ''Create'' button. Adjust the space to the desired amount.
+
 
+
==== Deleting Partition ====
+
To delete a partition, select the partition to delete and press the ''Delete'' button.
+
 
+
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
|'''Note:''' you have to select the right partition to install GhostBSD before pressing ''Forward''.
+
|}
+
 
+
=== Creating Labels Partitions  ===
+
 
+
'''Figure 2.7c: Creating labels partitions'''
+
 
+
[[File:Label.png]]
+
 
+
(This screen may look a bit differently on later versions.)
+
 
+
==== Deleting Partitions labels ====
+
 
+
For deleting partitions labels you Select the label to delete and you click on the ''Delete'' button.
+
 
+
==== Create and edit labels ====
+
The button ''Create'' will start the labels editor to Create new labels. You can also edit Partition labels already setup, by clicking on the ''Edit'' button.
+
 
+
{| style="color:black; background-color:#f3f8fd;" class="wikitable"
+
|'''Note:''' You should always erase all old BSD partitions to avoid installation problems.
+
|}
+
 
+
==== Labels editors ====
+
 
+
When you click on ''Create'' or ''Edit'' the labels partitions editor appears for editing custom partitions labels.
+
 
+
'''Figure 2.7d: Labels Editors'''
+
 
+
[[File:Create_label.png]]
+
 
+
(This screen may look a bit differently on later versions.)
+
 
+
===== Setting the Filesystem. =====
+
 
+
; Selecting the ''Type'' of file system
+
+
''UFS'', ''UFS+S'', ''UFS+J'', ''UFS+SUJ'' can be use for GhostBSD file system.
+
 
+
; Choosing Size
+
 
+
The size given to a label will limit the size of the mount point directory selected. Some space needs to be allocated for a BSD swap. 
+
 
+
; Selecting Mount Point
+
 
+
Mount Point contain a list of directory as follow ''/'', ''/boot'', ''/etc'', ''/home'', ''/root'', ''/tmp'', ''/usr'', ''/var'' and you can specify your own one.
+
 
+
===== Setting Swap =====
+
 
+
; Selecting the ''Type''
+
 
+
Under ''Type'' choosing ''SWAP'' will create BSD swap.
+
 
+
; Choosing Size
+
 
+
Matching the ''Size'' of the Swap with the ram ''Size'' is recommended, but if the machine is not used for compiling, installing apps from ports, or for heavy processing, the swap can be set a lot lower in size.
+
+
; Selecting mount point
+
 
+
Select the ''Mount Point'' to none.
+
  
 
== '''Adding Root Password and User''' ==
 
== '''Adding Root Password and User''' ==
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If you boot your system and you receive a ''mountroot>'' command prompt, it may be due to a change in the location of the boot device. This can occur when the installation was made on another machine and then transferring the HDD without an adjustment to the ''/etc/fstab'' file, or if a card reader is involved (including card readers on a USB dongle). The solution is to enter ''ufs:/dev/da1'' at the prompt (it will always be ufs for the installer media). Depending on the exact location of the boot media, it may be different than ''da1.'' Typing <code>?</code> at the prompt should display available devices.
 
If you boot your system and you receive a ''mountroot>'' command prompt, it may be due to a change in the location of the boot device. This can occur when the installation was made on another machine and then transferring the HDD without an adjustment to the ''/etc/fstab'' file, or if a card reader is involved (including card readers on a USB dongle). The solution is to enter ''ufs:/dev/da1'' at the prompt (it will always be ufs for the installer media). Depending on the exact location of the boot media, it may be different than ''da1.'' Typing <code>?</code> at the prompt should display available devices.
 +
 +
If you boot your system and on single user mode receive the message Solaris: NOTICE: Cannot find the pool label for 'tank' with error 5. Its generaly a problem of delay with USB HDD. After having the <mountroot>, mount the zfs root file system : type <code>zfs:tank/ROOT/initial</code>. And then, in your /boot/loader.conf, add the line <code>kern.cam.boot_delay="10000"</code>. That instructs the system to wait 10 seconds (10000 milliseconds) during boot to give time for the CAM subsystem probes to complete (USB storage devices use the CAM subsystem).
  
 
=== Getting Help ===
 
=== Getting Help ===

Latest revision as of 17:15, 4 May 2021

This Guide is still under heavy development, feel free to help us to finish it.

Introduction[edit]

GhostBSD comes with a Graphical installer call GBI.

After reading this chapter, you will know:

  • How to make a USB memory stick.
  • How to install GhostBSD.
  • How to start GhostBSD.
  • The questions GBI will ask you, what they mean, and how to answer them.
  • Troubleshooting the installer and live media.

Hardware Requirements[edit]

Minimum System Requirements[edit]

  • 64-bit processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 15 GB of free hard drive space
  • Network card

Recommended System Requirements[edit]

  • 64-bit processor
  • 8 GB of RAM
  • 30 GB of free hard drive space
  • Network card
  • Sound card
  • 3D accelerated video card

Supported Processors[edit]

GhostBSD installs on any system containing a 64-bit (amd64) processor architecture. The amd64 name refers to AMD64 (“Hammer”) and Intel® EM64T architectures. The FreeBSD 13.0 Hardware Notes lists the amd64 processors known to work.

Supported Video Cards[edit]

GhostBSD uses X.org drivers for graphics support. During installation, graphics support will be configured automatically. Support for the major graphic vendors is as follows:

NVIDIA: if you want to use 3D acceleration, NVIDIA is currently the best supported as there is a native driver for GhostBSD.

Intel: 3D acceleration on most Intel graphics is supported. Due to the current KMS support, you will not be able to switch between the graphical console and a virtual console using Crtl+Alt+F#.

ATI/Radeon: 3D acceleration on most ATI and Radeon cards is supported.

Optimus: at this time Bumblebee[2] has not been ported to FreeBSD, meaning that there is no switching support between the two graphics adapters provided by Optimus. Optimus implementations vary, so GhostBSD may or may not be able to successfully load a graphics driver on your hardware. If you get a blank screen after installation, check your BIOS to see if it has an option to disable one of the graphics adapters or to set “discrete” mode. If the BIOS does not provide a discrete mode, GhostBSD will default to the 3D Intel driver and disable NVIDIA. This will change in the future when the NVIDIA driver supports Optimus.

Wireless Cards[edit]

GhostBSD supports many wireless networking cards. You can check if your card has a FreeBSD driver. If it does, it should "just work". Currently, there are some missing wireless drivers, typically for Broadcom and the newer Realtek series. N.B. USB wifi sticks may or may not be supported, it will depend on the chip used.


Pre-installation Tasks[edit]

Back Up Your Data[edit]

Be sure to back up all important data on the computer before installing GhostBSD. The GhostBSD installer will not provide a prompt before making changes to the hard disk drive. Once the process has started, changes to the hard disk drive cannot be undone.

Check for FreeBSD Errata[edit]

GhostBSD is based on Trueos, and TrueOS is based on FreeBSD. Although the TrueOS Project strives to ensure that each release of TrueOS is as stable as possible, bugs occasionally creep into the process. On very rare occasions those bugs affect the installation process. As these problems are discovered and fixed, they are noted in 13.0-RELEASE Errata page on the FreeBSD web site. Check the errata before installing to make sure that there are no problems that might affect the installation.

Prepare the Installation Media[edit]

The GhostBSD installation media is available as a .iso file. Copies of GhostBSD installation media are available for free at the GhostBSD download page.

Creating a bootable USB Flash Drive[edit]

After downloading the appropriate .iso file, copy it to a USB flash drive using one of the methods described below. Depending on the operating system, issue one of the following appropriate commands:

On BSD[edit]

dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/da0 bs=4m

On Linux[edit]

sudo dd if=GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/sdf bs=4M

On Mac[edit]

dd if=/path/to/GhostBSD-21.01.20.iso of=/dev/disk2 bs=10240

On Windows[edit]

  1. Download the desired .iso file
  2. Download Disk Imager from http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
  3. Insert your USB flash drive
  4. Note the drive letter assigned to your flash media
  5. Start Disk Imager
  6. Select the downloaded file and target device, and click "Write"
  7. Remove your USB flash drive when the operation is complete

Other USB Flash writer tools for Windows[edit]

Balena Etcher [1] Works for Windows, macOS, & Linux. Rufus [2] Works just for Windows, needs a checkbox selected to do a pure write of .ISO image file

ISO CD / DVD writer tool[edit]

ISORecorder [3] works from Windows Menu to write a .ISO file into a CD or DVD

Conclusion[edit]

The steps described above will create a bootable GhostBSD system on a USB flash drive. To start a live session, connect the USB thumb drive to the computer and reboot the computer. Further information can be found here.

Starting GhostBSD Live Media[edit]

If booting from USB flash drive, insert the USB flash drive then start the computer.

If booting from DVD, insert the DVD immediately after powering on the computer.

You can boot by:

  • Configuring the machine BIOS to boot from either the DVD or USB.
  • Typically boot by pressing F10, F11, F12, or Esc and select a boot device.

If your computer starts up by loading your existing operating system, then either:

  • The installation media was not inserted early enough in the boot process. Ensure the installation media has been inserted, then restart the computer.
  • The BIOS changes were not saved correctly. Review the BIOS settings and enable the correct boot setting.
  • Your BIOS does not support booting from the desired media.

As GhostBSD begins to boot, you will see a black screen with similar text to this:

Boot-Menu.png

Start Installer[edit]

After you boot into the GhostBSD Live session, open a terminal window and start the installer with `gbi`.

Setting Language, Keyboard and Timezone[edit]

Language Menu[edit]

Select a language.

Installer-Select-Language.PNG

(This screen may look a bit differently on later versions.)

Select the language you would like to use after the installation. If a language is not provided in the selection, the language can be changed after login.

Note: GBI will be multilingual in the future and the language who are display is default language some of us speak.

Keyboard Menu[edit]

Selecting a keyboard layout and a variant

The layout option is your country-specific keyboard layout.

Installer-Select-Keyboard-Layout.PNG

Note: If you use the default GhostBSD system keyboard setup you can skip by just click on forward. Also if you don't know your keyboard model and variant don't select any of those.

Time Zone menu[edit]

Setting the time zone for your machine will allow it to automatically correct for any regional time changes and perform other time zone related functions properly.

Selecting a Time Zone

Select a continent and the nearest city.

Installer-Select-Timezone-Continent.PNG


ZFS Full Disk Installation[edit]

Selecting Installation Type[edit]

Figure 2.6a: Selecting Disk, Installation option and Boot Manager

Installer-Select-Installation-Type.png


Choosing Disks[edit]

Choose the disk where GhostBSD is to be installed.

Installer-ZFS-Full-Disk-Configuration.PNG


Boot Option[edit]

Select an available boot option.

Boot-Option.png


Custom Disk Configuration for UFS and ZFS[edit]

Note: Process description coming soon.

Adding Root Password and User[edit]

GhostBSD is designed to let the user have total control of the system, meaning that the user has root access by default and owns the entire system. GhostBSD installer lets the user choose a root password and lets them have complete access to the root account.

Setting Root Password[edit]

Password: The system password, also known as the root, superuser, or administrative password, is required for system administration tasks such as installing software, setting up your printer or changing settings that affect all users. You will need to remember this password for the times that you are prompted for it. The password is recommended as at least 8 characters, and you are required to type it in twice to confirm the password.

Figure 2.8a: Setting root password and adding a user.

Installer-Set-Root-Password.PNG

Adding User[edit]

Username: this is the name you will use when logging in. It can not contain spaces and is case sensitive

Full Name: It can be your full name and can contain capital letters and spaces.

Password: this is the password you will use when logging in. You must type it twice in order to confirm it.

Shell: bash (versions up to 3.5) or fish is set by default, you change to the one you prefer in the list.

Setting The System host name[edit]

Hostname: input the system's hostname. This name will be the system name of the network.

Figure 2.8b: Adding a user and hostname.

Installer-User-Setup.PNG

Installation Progress[edit]

Installation Progress[edit]

Once you select Install to start the installation, a progress screen, seen in Figure 2.9b, provides a progress bar and messages so that you can watch the installation's progress.

Figure 2.9b: Installation Progress

Installer-Progress.png

The installation time depends upon the speed of your hardware and the version of GhostBSD you choose. A typical installation takes between 10 and 30 minutes.

Installation Error[edit]

The screen shown in Figure 2.9c appears when the installation fails.

Figure 2.9c: installation error

To help users find and fix this issue please see Installation Troubleshooting

Error.png

Installation Success[edit]

The screen shown in Figure 2.9d appears once the installation is successfully completed.

Figure 2.9d: Installation Completed

Installer-Completed.PNG

Click the Restart button to reboot into your GhostBSD installation. Wait until the system exits the GUI before removing the installation media.

Installation Troubleshooting[edit]

Installing GhostBSD is usually an easy process that "just works". Sometimes, however, you will run into a problem. This section will look at solutions to the most common installation problems.

Installation Starts But Fails[edit]

The GhostBSD installer creates a log which keeps a record of all the steps that are completed as well as any errors. When an installation error occurs, the GhostBSD installer will ask if you would like to generate an error report. You should save the error log /tmp/pc-sysinstall.log to a USB stick so that you can read this log to see what went wrong.

If you can not figure out how to fix the error or believe that you have discovered an installation bug, please use the forum to get help.

System Does not Boot Into the Installer[edit]

If the live system does not make it to the GUI, try unplugging as many devices as possible, such as webcams, scanners, printers, USB mice and keyboards. If this solves the problem, plug in one piece of hardware at a time, then reboot. This will help you pinpoint which device is causing the problem.

If your computer freezes while probing hardware, and unplugging extra devices does not fix the problem, it is possible that the installation media is corrupt. If the checksum on the file you downloaded is correct, try burning the file again at a lower speed.

If the system freezes and you suspect the video card to be the cause, review your system's BIOS settings. If there is a setting for video memory, set it to its highest value. Also check to see if the BIOS is set to prefer built-in graphics or a non-existent graphics card. On some systems this is determined by the order of the devices listed; in this case, make sure that the preferred device is listed first. If you cannot see your BIOS settings you may need to move a jumper or remove a battery to make it revert to the default of built-in graphics; check your manual or contact your manufacturer for details.

If that change did not help, try rebooting and selecting option 2. Escape to loader prompt from the boot menu shown in Figure 2.10a below.

figure 2.10a: GhostBSD Boot Menu

Boot-Menu.png

Selecting this option will open the boot loader prompt where you can type the following commands:

unload
disable-module vesa
set module_path=/boot/kernel;/boot/modules;CONSOLE
boot

Those commands will disable vesa before attempting to boot the live system.

A not uncommon cause for problems is the LBA (Logical Block Addressing) setting in the BIOS. If your PC is not booting up before or after installation, check your BIOS and turn LBA off (do not leave it on automatic).

If the SATA settings in your BIOS are set to "compatibility" mode, try changing this setting to "AHCI". If the system hangs with a BTX error, try turning off AHCI in the BIOS.

USB Keyboard Does not Work in Graphical Interface[edit]

If the USB keyboard is non-functional, check if there is an option in your BIOS for legacy support in relation to the keyboard or to USB, or both. Enabling this feature in your BIOS may solve this issue.

mountroot prompt[edit]

If you boot your system and you receive a mountroot> command prompt, it may be due to a change in the location of the boot device. This can occur when the installation was made on another machine and then transferring the HDD without an adjustment to the /etc/fstab file, or if a card reader is involved (including card readers on a USB dongle). The solution is to enter ufs:/dev/da1 at the prompt (it will always be ufs for the installer media). Depending on the exact location of the boot media, it may be different than da1. Typing ? at the prompt should display available devices.

If you boot your system and on single user mode receive the message Solaris: NOTICE: Cannot find the pool label for 'tank' with error 5. Its generaly a problem of delay with USB HDD. After having the <mountroot>, mount the zfs root file system : type zfs:tank/ROOT/initial. And then, in your /boot/loader.conf, add the line kern.cam.boot_delay="10000". That instructs the system to wait 10 seconds (10000 milliseconds) during boot to give time for the CAM subsystem probes to complete (USB storage devices use the CAM subsystem).

Getting Help[edit]

If none of the above has fixed your problem, search the GhostBSD forums to see if a solution exists, try a web search, or check the section Support.