Installing slackware64 current on eMMC.

stf92 · 04-18-2018, 02:46 PM

Hi: I have just installed slaclware64 current on an Acer Aspire netbook with eMMC memory instead of hard disk. The installer ran OK but when I booted after the install I got:

Code:

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block (179,2)

If the installer could write the eMMC, why can't it mount it?

Alien Bob · 04-18-2018, 02:55 PM

PEBKAC? You do not give any detail about how you installed, how you partitioned the drive, how you configured lilo, etc. So, possibly PEBKAC.

volkerdi · 04-18-2018, 03:14 PM

You'll need to use generic+initrd for that.

Didier Spaier · 04-18-2018, 04:34 PM

As mentioned in this thread.

PS:

Quote:

If the installer could write the eMMC, why can't it mount it?

Because GRUB is able to handle eMMC internally[*], but you are trying to mount the partition using a kernel that doesn't include the relevant drivers, hence Patrick Volkerding's answer.

[*]Probably through chain loading, please post your /boot/grub/grub.cfg from Arch so we can check.

Still from Arch, please post output of this:

Code:

lsblk -o model,name,size,fstype,mountpoint,uuid,partuuid

And tell us which is the root (/) Slackware partition.

stf92 · 04-19-2018, 04:36 PM

Thanks.

Code:

[root@revenge ~]# cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
insmod part_gpt
insmod part_msdos
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="0"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_input console
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
  set timeout_style=menu
  set timeout=5
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
  set timeout=5
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Arch Linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4' {
	load_video
	set gfxpayload=keep
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux linux ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4 rw  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/intel-ucode.img /boot/initramfs-linux.img
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Arch Linux' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4' {
	menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-advanced-4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4' {
		load_video
		set gfxpayload=keep
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux linux ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4 rw  quiet
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/intel-ucode.img /boot/initramfs-linux.img
	}
	menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux (fallback initramfs)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-fallback-4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4' {
		load_video
		set gfxpayload=keep
		insmod gzio
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux linux ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4 rw  quiet
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initramfs-linux-fallback.img
	}
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
[root@revenge ~]#

Code:

[root@revenge ~]#  lsblk -o model,name,size,fstype,mountpoint,uuid,partuuid
MODEL NAME          SIZE FSTYPE MOUNTPOINT UUID                                 PARTUUID
      mmcblk0      28.5G                                                        
      ├─mmcblk0p1  14.7G ext2   /          4b48227b-6b20-4cdd-b9a4-fee01fab42d4 48727b69-01
      └─mmcblk0p2  13.9G ext4              93ec8692-5762-4f7a-b83b-41e3876bbc2c 48727b69-02
      mmcblk0boot0    4M                                                        
      mmcblk0boot1    4M                                                        
[root@revenge ~]#

The root in Slackware I intend to be /dev/mmcblk0p2. Setup went through all the steps OK. I only installed the basic package (a series). Also, within setup, lilo seemed to run OK. It effectively wrote the eMMC. Only thing was the kernel panic, as I said.

Didier Spaier · 04-19-2018, 06:49 PM

There are several issues.

As you have:

Code:

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

either os-prober was not able to find Slackware on /dev/mmcblk0p2, or it it was disabled in /etc/default/grub

To find out, please:

post the content of /etc/default/grub
post the output of this command, typed as root:
Code:
```
os-prober
```

Also, with just the a series of package installed, I don't think you will go very far. I am not even sure you can make an initrd with just that (will check tomorrow, too late here).

At least let's check that Slackware is really installed in /dev/mmcblk0p2 . In that aim, still from Arch please type these commands as root and provide their full output, even in case of errors:

Code:

mkdir /slackware
mount /dev/mmbcblk0p2 /slackware
cat /slackware/etc/os-release

However, in my opinion you made a bad buy. The best you can get from this machine is run only one system, it has too few storage space for anything else, so I'd just wipe Slackware and keep Arch. Unless you can add an USB hard disk and install Slackware on it.

stf92 · 04-20-2018, 11:03 AM

Code:

[root@revenge default]# cat grub
# GRUB boot loader configuration

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Arch"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

# Preload both GPT and MBR modules so that they are not missed
GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES="part_gpt part_msdos"

# Uncomment to enable booting from LUKS encrypted devices
#GRUB_ENABLE_CRYPTODISK=y

# Uncomment to enable Hidden Menu, and optionally hide the timeout count
#GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=5
#GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true

# Uncomment to use basic console
GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console

# Uncomment to disable graphical terminal
#GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=console

# The resolution used on graphical terminal
# note that you can use only modes which your graphic card supports via VBE
# you can see them in real GRUB with the command `vbeinfo'
GRUB_GFXMODE=auto

# Uncomment to allow the kernel use the same resolution used by grub
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep

# Uncomment if you want GRUB to pass to the Linux kernel the old parameter
# format "root=/dev/xxx" instead of "root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/xxx"
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true

# Uncomment to disable generation of recovery mode menu entries
GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY=true

# Uncomment and set to the desired menu colors.  Used by normal and wallpaper
# modes only.  Entries specified as foreground/background.
#GRUB_COLOR_NORMAL="light-blue/black"
#GRUB_COLOR_HIGHLIGHT="light-cyan/blue"

# Uncomment one of them for the gfx desired, a image background or a gfxtheme
#GRUB_BACKGROUND="/path/to/wallpaper"
#GRUB_THEME="/path/to/gfxtheme"

# Uncomment to get a beep at GRUB start
#GRUB_INIT_TUNE="480 440 1"

# Uncomment to make GRUB remember the last selection. This requires to
# set 'GRUB_DEFAULT=saved' above.
#GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT="true"
[root@revenge default]#

Code:

root@revenge default]# os-prober
-bash: os-prober: command not found
[root@revenge default]#

And there no locate here!
[code
[root@revenge default]# cat /slack/etc/os-release
NAME=Slackware
VERSION="14.2"
ID=slackware
VERSION_ID=14.2
PRETTY_NAME="Slackware 14.2 (pre-15.0 -current)"
ANSI_COLOR="0;34"
CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:slackware:slackware_linux:14.2"
HOME_URL="http://slackware.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-14/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-14/"
VERSION_CODENAME=current
[root@revenge default]#
[/code]
One thing I cant have arch is it doesnot detect the touchpad. I hope slackware will. I have 32GB disk space. Isn't that enough for Slackware and arch?

Didier Spaier · 04-20-2018, 01:07 PM

It seems that os-prober be not installed by default in Arch. You need to install it, (it's in the Community repository), according to the TIP in this article. So I understand well to install it you need to type as root:

Code:

pacman -S os-prober

Read Pacman to know more.

As an aside, this reminds me that I coded a Pacman game in Basic, more than thirty years ago

Anyway I will install Arch in a VM, as that will allow me to complete my testing of grub and enhancement of grubconfig.

Code:

I have 32GB disk space. Isn't that enough for Slackware and arch?

28.5 G according to lsblk. It's enough if you don't intend to really use these systems, juts run them.

stf92 · 04-20-2018, 04:47 PM

Thanks. I get

Code:

[root@revenge ~]# os-prober 
/dev/mmcblk0p2:Slackware 14.2 (pre-15.0 -current):Slackware:linux
[root@revenge ~]#

Anyway i'm using arch only transitorily. If I get slackware running then I will dispense with Arch.
What if I install again slackware current and before rebooting I run chroot /mnt, assuming the installer mounted slackware under /mnt, and run mkinitrd and lilo without exiting chroot? (proceeding as directed by Volkerdi in mkinird_README).

Fat_Elvis · 04-22-2018, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier

However, in my opinion you made a bad buy.

For future reference, I'd recommend anyone intending to install an aftermarket OS to stay away from eMMC drives. I wasn't even able to 'wipefs' one of those drives. It would just get back to its default config at reboot.

Darth Vader · 04-22-2018, 10:08 AM

Did you really believe that that poor Windows would resist to an unleashed gaucho[*] who hammered that unlucky eMMC since several weeks, at least several times in one day, trying again and again to install his beloved Slackware?

[*] "gaucho" : cowboy, in the Argentinian style.

jaloo · 11-18-2020, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volkerdi

You'll need to use generic+initrd for that.

how can i install slackware in generic+initrd mode?
i found some note about generic+initrd, but they are always after installation,then reconfig to generic+initrd mode.

bassmadrigal · 11-18-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaloo

how can i install slackware in generic+initrd mode?
i found some note about generic+initrd, but they are always after installation,then reconfig to generic+initrd mode.

-current will automatically use the generic kernel and generate an initrd. On 14.2, you'd need to follow these instructions.