Arch Linux

Tracey Lowndes

Member

Registered: 2017-03-17

Posts: 4

Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

I created a virtual machine in Virtualbox with an Arch iso in it, so I could try the Arch installation procedure.

Then I partitioned the virtual hard disk using Gparted, creating an extended partition with two logical partitions, one for swap and the other as the OS partition.

I tried to boot Arch Linux - it didn't boot at all. It stayed frozen at a static cursor. I had to shut it down using the Virtualbox tools.

I've tried to boot Arch Linux again - but the result is the same - stuck at a static cursor.

I've tried setting the bootable flag on the OS partition in Gparted, but it hasn't worked.

Unfortunately the iso I used is archlinux-2017.02.01-dual.iso, last month's iso, so I can't check the checksum.

Can you solve the problem so I can boot Arch Linux?

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,114

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

Welcome to the arch linux forums Tracey Lowndes.
From Arch_Linux_Archive#.2Fiso you should be able to find the checksums and signatures for archlinux-2017.02.01-dual.iso.

Tracey Lowndes

Member

Registered: 2017-03-17

Posts: 4

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

Thanks for that info - I've checked the checksum, and everything seems OK, so that's one thing to tick off the list.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 78,887

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

It stayed frozen at a static cursor.

You mean it fails before any boot manager? Which one did you install, grub, syslinux or systemd-boot? Where did you install it and were there any error messages?

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dockland

Member

From: Sweden

Registered: 2015-06-06

Posts: 861

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

EFI or non EFI? Fstab? Grub or systemd-boot? Post outputs when chrooted in vm

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Trilby

Inspector Parrot

Registered: 2011-11-29

Posts: 30,546

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Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

Have you successfully booted the iso at all yet?  It sounds like you partitioned an empty virtual disk and are trying to boot it.  Make sure the iso is higher boot priority.

EDIT: I seem to read this very different from those above me.  Did you actually install anything yet?  You say you used gparted to partition the virtual disk, but you didn't mention installing anything.  Did you boot the live iso and go through the installation proceedure, or are you not able to boot into the live environment?

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Tracey Lowndes

Member

Registered: 2017-03-17

Posts: 4

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

Have you successfully booted the iso at all yet?  It sounds like you partitioned an empty virtual disk and are trying to boot it.  Make sure the iso is higher boot priority.

EDIT: I seem to read this very different from those above me.  Did you actually install anything yet?  You say you used gparted to partition the virtual disk, but you didn't mention installing anything.  Did you boot the live iso and go through the installation proceedure, or are you not able to boot into the live environment?

I can't boot into the live environment at all, therefore I haven't been able to install anything.

Tracey Lowndes

Member

Registered: 2017-03-17

Posts: 4

Re: Arch doesn't boot at all in Virtualbox

Right - a very late update!

I've given up on trying to run Arch Linux in Virtualbox, and I've now removed the virtual machine. I've made a note of my partition settings in case I want to try again at a later date.

Thank you for trying to help me.