Arch Linux

spencer_brown

Member

Registered: 2015-08-21

Posts: 37

[Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

I've installed a handful of archlinux systems and have never had this problem before.
The efi partition /dev/sda2 is failing to mount to /boot.

systemd[1]:Mounting /boot...

systemd[235]: mount: unknown filesystem type 'vfat'

systemd[1]: boot.mount: Mount process exited, code=exited status=32

systemd[1]: Failed to mount /boot.

systemd[1]: boot.mount: Unit entered failed state.

It then drops me to the maintenance shell.
I've tried reinstalling grub(alternate install method), and redo-ing mkconfig.  I've also tried doing pacman -Syu.
So far nothing has worked.  Do i just need to wipe the partitions(except for efi partition failing to mount, as i have other operating systems installed) and try again to install?
Also, this is a reinstall.  Archlinux previously existed on this machine.  I wiped the partitions it existed on and removed linuz_linux from the efi partition as described here: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=177512
Is this a problem with fstab?

Last edited by spencer_brown (2015-11-26 19:25:50)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,349

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

I am trying to figure out why your kernel does not know about vfat.

Is this happening during an install, or is this on an installed system that has never booted, or is this an installed system that broke?
What bootloader are you using?
Is the boot loader pulling in the correct kernel?
Is the boot loader pulling in the correct initrd?

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spencer_brown

Member

Registered: 2015-08-21

Posts: 37

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

This is an installed system that has never booted.  However, since there used to be a working system on this computer, there could be a leftover kernel in the efi partition that needs to be removed.  I will try removing all linux related files from the efi partition and do pacstrap again.  I'll let you know how it goes.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,349

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Also, systemd-boot?  efi-stub?  Grub?

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
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How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

spencer_brown

Member

Registered: 2015-08-21

Posts: 37

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Yes, systemd.  No efi stub needed.  I'm using grub via alternate install for a duel-boot with windows.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,349

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Um ...

Okay, yes systemd as an init system.  Specifically, I wanted to know if you were using systemd-boot, formally known as gummiboot, which is an efi boot manager.   It is the most sure fire solution for efi.
You confused me because it is not (very) practical to use both systemd-boot and Grub at the same time.   IMHO, Grub is a major PITA on EFI systems.   So, you installed Grub as part of your Arch install and configured it to start Windows and Arch.  I presume it starts Windows okay.  There is an entry for Arch Linux.  Can you post the details about that entry?

Also, if you choose Grub to select between Arch and Windows only (no third distribution with which to maintain compatibility) I really recommend using systemd-boot

Last edited by ewaller (2015-11-26 19:00:54)

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

spencer_brown

Member

Registered: 2015-08-21

Posts: 37

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Thanks for the advice, I looked at systemd-boot and it looks much easier to manage.  I'll use that.

spencer_brown

Member

Registered: 2015-08-21

Posts: 37

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Thanks again for your help.  I had too many kernels in the /boot(efi) partition.  I deleted them all and re-ran pacstrap.  Then reinstalled grub, which I'm sticking with for now.  Everything works now.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,349

Re: [Solved]Strange boot mount error[Solved]

Great.   Some day, for fun, try booting directly with Linux as an efi application.  If your computer has a reasonable boot selection mechanism you don't need a boot loader at all

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way