Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

thideras · 2012-07-28 16:02:31

Hello all, I'd first like to say that I love the Arch Linux distribution, have been using it for some time, and using it as my main operating system on my desktop and old laptop (Lenovo T61). The ArchWiki/forum is an amazing piece of work that I've used very often to solve installation issues or when I had questions -- it is always useful. I received a Lenovo W530 yesterday, but have not been able to get Arch Linux booting with the configuration I want.

Relevant hardware information:
Processor - Intel Core i7-3720QM
System graphics - NVIDIA Quadro K1000M
Total memory - 32 GB RAM
Solid State Drive - 128gb Crucial mSATA m4
Hard drive - 500GB 5400rpm

I'm making this hard on myself by wanting to use UEFI and fully encrypted hard drives. I have no issues getting everything installed onto the encrypted SSD, by following the UEFI installation guide that I wrote. Everything goes correctly until I restart the system; it gets stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk". I see that there is hard drive activity, which indicates it is loading the file, but it isn't continuing. As a test, I reinstalled the OS from scratch, but the only difference is I didn't use LUKS to encrypt the hard drive, and it works perfectly. Something with my encryption seems to be off, whether it is something I did wrong, or a configuration file I didn't do correctly. I've been searching since last night, but I'm unable to find someone in a similar situation. I can chroot into the encrypted hard drive without issue and that is currently where my laptop sits.

I've tried:
Used "mkinitcpio -p linux" to recompile the RAM disk
Used hwdetect to get a list of modules (returns nothing, as seen below)
Reinstalled without an encrypted hard drive (works)
Reinstalled with encrypted hard drive (same situation)

Here is information that may be related:

[root@archiso /]# hwdetect --modules
MODULES=()

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
set default="0"

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 loadfont unicode ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod lvm
insmod ext2
terminal_input console
terminal_output gfxterm
set timeout=5
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Arch GNU/Linux, with Linux core repo kernel' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-core repo kernel-true-1c62f029-79ec-4ecb-8c89-cc99a4651417' {
	load_video
	set gfxpayload=keep
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod fat
	set root='hd1,gpt1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,gpt1 --hint-efi=hd1,gpt1 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,gpt1  C739-5C2A
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C739-5C2A
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux core repo kernel ...'
	linux	/vmlinuz-linux root=/dev/mapper/lisp-root ro  quiet add_efi_memmap
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/initramfs-linux.img
}
menuentry 'Arch GNU/Linux, with Linux core repo kernel (Fallback initramfs)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-core repo kernel-fallback-1c62f029-79ec-4ecb-8c89-cc99a4651417' {
	load_video
	set gfxpayload=keep
	insmod gzio
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod fat
	set root='hd1,gpt1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,gpt1 --hint-efi=hd1,gpt1 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,gpt1  C739-5C2A
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root C739-5C2A
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux core repo kernel ...'
	linux	/vmlinuz-linux root=/dev/mapper/lisp-root ro  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/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/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### 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 ###

/etc/rc.conf

#
# /etc/rc.conf - configuration file for initscripts
#
# Most of rc.conf has been replaced by various other configuration
# files. See archlinux(7) for details.
#
# For more details on rc.conf see rc.conf(5).
#

DAEMONS=(syslog-ng network crond)
MODULES=(efivars)
KEYMAP="us"
HOSTNAME="lisp"

# Storage
#
# USEDMRAID="no"
USELVM="yes"

# Network
#
# interface=
# address=
# netmask=
# gateway=

pinprick · 2012-07-28 18:02:11

I think I have the same issue. I want to install Arch linux on my macbook pro 2010 but for some reason it fails in the booting process. I installed grub to the EFI system partition, according to the wiki. I posted a thread too. https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=145997

My problem is that the initramfs was generated according to the mkinitcpio.conf during installation which was run in bios compatibilty mode. So from my standpoint it seems that the bios handles hardware in a different way to the unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). Different software interface. So that is the reason why during arch linux booting it cannot find the hard drive nor the other harfware (it breaks in initramfs).

i8042: No controller found
uchi_hcd 0000:00:1a.0: Found HC with no IRQ check Bios/PCI 0000:00:1a.0 setup
uchi_hcd 0000:00:1a.0: init 0000:00:1a.0 fail. -19
uchi_hcd 0000:00:1a.0: Found HC with no IRQ check Bios/PCI 0000:00:1a.0 setup

If I use the fallback mode it prints: Invalid rom contents

I have yet to find a solution I have asked in neowin.net but no replies .

I have recompiled the kernel and enable EFI stuff in the kernel config, generated the initramfs with the default mkinicpio file. But no luck...

If I find a solution I'll let you know.

Last edited by pinprick (2012-07-28 18:07:30)

thideras · 2012-07-28 18:51:23

I don't think it is the same issue. When I don't use LUKS to encrypt the hard drive (still doing a full UEFI install), it works fine. It only gets stuck when I encrypt the hard drive. I also don't get any errors, it just stops with "Loading initial ramdisk" on the screen.

Last edited by thideras (2012-07-28 18:52:09)

pinprick · 2012-07-28 19:25:45

Ah ok.

thideras · 2012-07-29 18:42:00

I've configured grub to use the "cryptdevice" option in grub, which didn't change anything, but I'm pretty sure it needs to be there. I've just tried to add modules into mkinitcpio (dm-mod/dm_mod), but that also didn't fix it. The fallback image (without "autodetect") also fails in the same spot. If this was giving me some sort of error, I could be troubleshooting it, but I'm flying blind and it is pretty frustrating. If I don't encrypt the hard drive, the system works fine. Once I add encryption, it just gives up.

When it gets to "Loading initial ramdisk", there is some brief hard drive activity and then nothing happens. I tried typing something while it was "locked up", hit enter, and there was some more activity for a short period. Then it stops completely. It seems to be getting past grub, because it loads the core and the ramdisk, but it doesn't seem to be trying to open the encrypted disk. Maybe it is missing modules (remember that "hwdetect --modules" returns nothing)? I can't figure out what is going on, but I've been working on this since Friday afternoon nearly non-stop.

thideras · 2012-07-29 19:44:27

I noticed that grub can be put into debug mode, so I added that to the line and watched it dump the output to the screen. At the very end, it quit with what looked like an error (it was on the screen for a very short time) and then restarted the laptop. Here is what it said. Now that I can actually read the message, I don't think this is an error. It is interesting that the computer restarts at the end instead of getting stuck.

Last edited by thideras (2012-07-31 01:48:28)

thideras · 2012-07-30 00:06:25

To make sure the old version on my flash drive wasn't causing issues (it had AIF), I burned a freshly downloaded iso and installed Arch through the scripts. I'm still stuck in the same spot. I'm completely at a loss on what to do next or even what to check. The hard drive has the encrypted partition, which contains the LVM, which contains the root partition. I made sure that my hooks in mkinitcpio are there and in the right order (encrypt, lvm2, filesystems).

Last edited by thideras (2012-07-30 00:09:42)

thideras · 2012-07-31 17:58:48

I've been tinkering this morning to try and get it working, but still not having any luck.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm stuck at this point and I'd rather not leave the drive unencrypted.

thideras · 2012-08-05 14:03:25

At the suggestion of another forum, I tried a few different GRUB2 options, but I'm still having issues. I pulled the internal stock HDD and I'm going to do an install with just the SSD connected. Any help would be appreciated -- I'd love to be able to use my laptop.

Bullfrog · 2012-08-07 20:27:39

Out of curiosity, are you using the nvidia card? Either with the intention of using bumblebee or discrete graphics alone? If so, I had a similar problem on my Thinkpad T520. When booting with either Nvidia Optimus or Discrete Graphics enabled in the BIOS, I was able to get the system installed, but could never get the machine to boot. However, adding noapic or pci=noacpi to the linux boot line in Grub2 fixed my problem. I am also booting with UEFI, but I do not have encrypted drives. I hope that helps.

thideras · 2012-08-08 04:09:40

Thank you for the response Bullfrog. That is something that I thought of, and I did try all combinations of video card options in the BIOS (and including other devices). That did not change how it worked.

I did find something very interesting, however. I installed Gentoo as a test and it worked without too much fuss. I made a backup of my /boot folder before wiping the drive and putting back Arch. After the reinstall, I was stuck in the same place. I took the kernel and initramfs from Gentoo and copied them to my /boot folder. I created new entries in Grub to do combinations of Arch/Gentoo files. The one that worked perfectly was a Gentoo kernel with the Arch initramfs. So, from that, it seems like my initial thoughts of initramfs having issues is incorrect. What would cause the kernel to not output any information and just get stuck at the "Loading initial ramdisk" screen?

thideras · 2012-08-08 20:22:20

I just did an install with a MBR setup instead of UEFI/GPT using the exact same hard drive configuration and it works without an issue. Why would GPT or UEFI cause an issue like this? I don't really mind not using UEFI, but I'd like to know why it doesn't work.

Last edited by thideras (2012-08-08 20:22:53)

windexh8er · 2012-08-10 00:24:24

I just got a T430, pretty much stock (besides the upgrades from the factory I elected). But with the standard SATA disk I get the stuck (pun intended) at the exact same spot you do. Been trying different variations of initramfs images for the past few hours to no avail. Don't suppose you've made any progress since yesterday? o_O

Last edited by windexh8er (2012-08-10 00:25:09)

jacobmj · 2012-11-29 18:23:35

I have nearly identical setup on a Lenovo X230. I didn't try without LUKS, but can confirm that I get stuck immediately after the "Loading initial ramdisk" message from Grub. I did solve the issue, at least for myself.

The page https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GR … ound_Error describes related issues. It also states that adding the efi_gop and efi_uga modules to the grub initialization is required to get kernel output. Indeed, after adding both, I get the output. I haven't yet narrowed down whether both are required.

~Jacob

drdnl · 2013-04-19 09:43:32

I had issues with booting from USB and (/or?) UEFI

I'd recommend a livecd and initially installing with 'Discrete Graphics' selected in bios

Once working, good linux laptop

ewaller · 2013-04-25 02:37:46

This was not too bad of a 'Necrobump', but I am going to close this, none-the-less.

From a report to moderators

Necrobump is rather confusing since thread discusses rc.conf etc. Lots has changed since then, including latest changes to hooks for mkinitcpio.conf for lvm/filesystems etc.

I tend to agree, only because of rc.conf.

Good advice, drdnl. If we need to continue in this vein, someone please open a new thread, and then link back to this one. Thanks.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-07-28 16:02:31

Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#2 2012-07-28 18:02:11

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#3 2012-07-28 18:51:23

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#4 2012-07-28 19:25:45

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#5 2012-07-29 18:42:00

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#6 2012-07-29 19:44:27

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#7 2012-07-30 00:06:25

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#8 2012-07-31 17:58:48

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#9 2012-08-05 14:03:25

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#10 2012-08-07 20:27:39

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#11 2012-08-08 04:09:40

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#12 2012-08-08 20:22:20

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#13 2012-08-10 00:24:24

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#14 2012-11-29 18:23:35

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#15 2013-04-19 09:43:32

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

#16 2013-04-25 02:37:46

Re: Lenovo W530 - Stuck at "Loading initial ramdisk" after installation

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