Install Arch on mac mini

kylon · 2015-11-06 13:55:25

Hi,

i m tryng to install arch on a mac mini.

I installed refind as the main bootloader.
I used dd in OS X to prepare a usb device.

I can see 3 boot options on refind for Arch, but the first one (with the linux logo) does not work, just No signal in the screen.
The other boot options does boot arch, or at least they try, but i have the following kernel panic:

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(0,0)

Can someone please help me.

Thanks

respiranto · 2015-11-06 14:10:41

What exactly did you mean by preparing a usb drive using dd?
Did you copy the Arch install iso on it?

If so, you should not need to use refind, instead you can use Apples boot chooser by pressing and holding <alt> right after the startup chime.

kylon · 2015-11-07 17:08:52

i mean:
dd if=image.iso of=/dev/rdisk1 bs=1m

When i try to boot any linux distro with the apples boot chooser i get a "No signal"

respiranto · 2015-11-07 21:12:44

Are you by chance using a very old mac mini, i.e. not an intel one?

Aren't the devices in OS X usually called /dev/diskXsY ?

TheChickenMan · 2015-11-08 05:35:49

respiranto wrote:

Are you by chance using a very old mac mini, i.e. not an intel one?
Aren't the devices in OS X usually called /dev/diskXsY ?

Even the ones that aren't that old (before circa 2010 I think) still had 32bit UEFI with their Intel x86_64 processors. This apparently makes installing not only Arch but also nearly any version of linux kind of a challenge. I still haven't managed to get anything but Debian to install on one of these. I know it's possible to do it somehow but I think it requires creating a custom installation iso image of Arch that will boot.

kylon · 2015-11-08 08:31:33

late 2012, intel core i5

yes, but

r means raw access (faster?)
diskX is the disk (like /dev/sda)
sY is the partition (like /dev/sdaX)

i m using refind, it should be able to boot linux (?), or how can i delete the apple bootloader and install a decent one?
do you think CloverEfi could work on a real mac and boot linux?

respiranto · 2015-11-08 09:47:51

TheChickenMan, would you be so kind, to provide a link or explain in brief, how to get debian working?
If one has got a working linux system, it should be much easier to really install Arch.

Or is it also possible to install Arch directly from OS X, regarding the fact that most of the installation steps are performed by bash?

Some sources I found:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/392719/3 … ot-support
https://www.happyassassin.net/fedlet-a- … l-tablets/
http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions … ly-machine
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Un … _Bay_Trail

Last edited by respiranto (2015-11-08 09:49:35)

TheChickenMan · 2015-11-08 13:44:36

respiranto wrote:

TheChickenMan, would you be so kind, to provide a link or explain in brief, how to get debian working?
If one has got a working linux system, it should be much easier to really install Arch.

Sure. I used dd to make a bootable usb stick from their i686 netinstall image iso. Then I booted to the usb stick by placing it in the usb slot and turning on the computer. It booted to the stick by default. Finally I followed the standard installer with basically default options and rebooted. Seriously though, it was a piece of cake and "just worked". I started that project with the same thought as you probably. I was going to boot to debian and use it to help get Arch running. I haven't gotten that far with that project yet though. It's kind of my rainy-weekend project at this point.

kylon · 2015-11-09 15:27:28

So, the 32bit version boots fine?
I don t want to install a 32bit arch because i have 8gb of ram.
How can i install a 32bit bootloader and boot 64bit arch?

respiranto · 2015-11-09 16:06:54

Once you got a 32-bit version running, it should be easier to get a 64-bit version running than without anything running.
E.g. you could then install grub or use efibootmgr or even install Arch in a 64-bit VM and then write it to disk.

kylon · 2015-11-12 18:40:36

In the end

My efi is x64
The problem was fixed by adding nomodeset

Just a question
Can this break something in the system? Do i need to add a fix on my installation?

smalhan · 2015-11-12 20:08:01

I installed arch on my macbook without using refit. Follow the wiki article https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook
It gives a variety of options such as only Arch as well as dual booting. Follow the partitioning instructions carefully. I understand youre using a mac mini but the procedure should be the same for all intel macs

kylon · 2015-11-19 13:43:42

nope, i had to install refind from os x and then install efind from arch
now refind,arch and os x are booting fine

there s a new problem, xorg
i m using xorg, xinit (no login manager) and openbox
it has an haswell-ult integrated graphics (no gpu)

xorg does not start because nomodeset is set, without it i cannot see the screen
i m currently using an old lcd screen with the hdmi adaptor and a VGA cable

also,

the wifi card is not listed, it has a broadcom 4360 802.11ac rev3 SPROM 11
the default module says that sprom 11 is not supported

which module should i use?

thanks

Last edited by kylon (2015-11-19 13:45:18)

Arch Linux

#1 2015-11-06 13:55:25

Install Arch on mac mini

#2 2015-11-06 14:10:41

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#3 2015-11-07 17:08:52

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#4 2015-11-07 21:12:44

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#5 2015-11-08 05:35:49

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#6 2015-11-08 08:31:33

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#7 2015-11-08 09:47:51

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#8 2015-11-08 13:44:36

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#9 2015-11-09 15:27:28

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#10 2015-11-09 16:06:54

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#11 2015-11-12 18:40:36

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#12 2015-11-12 20:08:01

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

#13 2015-11-19 13:43:42

Re: Install Arch on mac mini

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