Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

bpont · 2014-05-08 07:35:26

I'm been trying to boot two different Linux LiveCD iso files using Grub within a Virtualbox environment. I've used this exact set up successfully on a real system, so I know my configs, etc. are right. I have the GuestAdditions installed too, but not certain that's even relevant.

Below is a screenshot of the error

Edit: might as well include /etc/grub.d/40_custom just for clarity

exec tail -n +3 $0

menuentry "SystemRescueCd" --class gentoo {
        insmod loopback
        insmod iso9660
        set isofile="/boot/iso/systemrescuecd.iso"
	loopback loop (hd0,1)$isofile
        linux (loop)/isolinux/rescue32 setkmap=us isoloop=$isofile docache
        initrd (loop)/isolinux/initram.igz
}

menuentry "Lubuntu" --class ubuntu {
  	insmod loopback
        insmod iso9660
        set isofile="/boot/iso/lubuntu.iso"
	loopback loop (hd0,1)$isofile
	linux (loop)/casper/vmlinuz boot=casper iso-scan/filename=$isofile noprompt noeject
	initrd (loop)/casper/initrd.lz
}

Both entries produce the same error messages. Also, I know that my (hdx,x) path is accurate.

Last edited by bpont (2014-05-08 07:44:35)

Rexilion · 2014-05-08 10:38:37

It looks like it's trying to execute commands composed of tabs and/or spaces.

I suggest you try to create your own grub.cfg using just a regular editor and try again.

bpont · 2014-05-08 17:01:49

Rexilion wrote:

It looks like it's trying to execute commands composed of tabs and/or spaces.
I suggest you try to create your own grub.cfg using just a regular editor and try again.

So why do the same *.iso / grub files work when booting from a non-virtual environment? It doesn't make sense.

Here is the grub from the systemrescuecd.iso:

ch# Global options
set timeout=90
set default=0
set fallback=1
set pager=1
# Display settings
if loadfont /boot/grub/font.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod gfxterm
terminal_output gfxterm
fi
menuentry "SystemRescueCd (64bit, default boot options)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/rescue64
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}
menuentry "SystemRescueCd (64bit, cache all files in memory)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/rescue64 docache
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}
menuentry "SystemRescueCd (64bit, alternative kernel with default options)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/altker64
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}
menuentry "SystemRescueCd (64bit, disable Kernel-Mode-Settings)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/rescue64 nomodeset
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}
menuentry "SystemRescueCd (64bit, directly start the grahical environment)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/rescue64 dostartx
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}
menuentry "Boot exising Linux OS installed on the disk (64bit kernel)" {
set gfxpayload=keep
linux	/isolinux/rescue64 root=auto
initrd	/isolinux/initram.igz
}

Rexilion · 2014-05-09 08:54:46

Are the errors happenning before or after you have selected the appropiate entry?

How is the VirtualBox environment configured? I suppose it's a virtual disk containing a partition with an iso. And optional second partition containing the boot configuration. Right?

bpont · 2014-05-10 00:28:58

Rexilion wrote:

Are the errors happenning before or after you have selected the appropiate entry?
How is the VirtualBox environment configured? I suppose it's a virtual disk containing a partition with an iso. And optional second partition containing the boot configuration. Right?

The errors occur after I select the entry. Incidentally, I partitioned the virtual disk with gpt and created a bios-boot partition, but I'm not sure if that's relevant. The other two are linux paritions with ext4 for / and /home, so to answer your question, the boot files and the iso files are on the same partition, residing in /boot/grub and /boot/iso respectively.

I'm just playing around with virtualbox, so it's really no big deal if I get it to work or not. Just curious what the problem is. I might repartition with fdisk instead, then reinstall everything to see if that makes a difference.

fukawi2 · 2014-05-10 01:05:58

bpont, please remember that our forums are for Arch support only. I'm going to assume for the moment that you're running Arch as the Virtual Box host, but it appears that your errors are related to the guests more so than the host so you may need to head over to the appropriate forums to get assistance with the guest OS's.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-05-08 07:35:26

Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

#2 2014-05-08 10:38:37

Re: Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

#3 2014-05-08 17:01:49

Re: Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

#4 2014-05-09 08:54:46

Re: Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

#5 2014-05-10 00:28:58

Re: Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

#6 2014-05-10 01:05:58

Re: Can't boot LiveCD iso using Grub within a Virtual Machine (Virtualbox)

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