Arch Linux

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Hi all,

This is my first post here. I am working on getting Arch set up on my laptop. Previously, I had installed it in a VirtualBox without any major issues. Unfortunately, I am having some trouble with it now.

In particular, after booting from an arch live usb, I am using

cfdisk /dev/sda

to create the necessary partitions. However, the option to mark a partition as bootable does not appear.

Oddly, when I first run cfdisk, it does not ask what type of label type I want to use, as it did when I installed arch in the VM.

I have also tried using the gparted live usb to create the partitions but I could not figure how to mark a partition as bootable there either.

I am open to either option so long as it works. Any help is appreciated.

Last edited by Nonnus (2017-12-18 00:02:59)

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 13,729

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Why are you trying to set a bootable flag in the first place?

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Is this not needed?

The instructions here:

https://erikdubois.be/how-to-install-arch-linux/

and here:

https://www.ostechnix.com/install-arch- … t-version/

seemed to indicate that it was necessary.

Also, I did try going ahead without it, but the GRUB install threw up an error. I don't recall the error precisely, but I thought it was something related to one of the partitions not being bootable.

jasonwryan

Anarchist

From: .nz

Registered: 2009-05-09

Posts: 30,426

Website

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Random third party guides are not supported. If you want help here, use the wiki.

---

Arch + dwm   •   Mercurial repos  •   Surfraw

Registered Linux User #482438

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Fair enough. I had been referring to the wiki as well as some third party resources.

My hope is to end up with a very simple partition scheme. In particular, 8 GB for swap and then the rest of the hard drive for the main partition.

Can I ask whether it is necessary that the main partition be set as bootable, i.e. marked with an asterix when partitioning with cfdisk?

jasonwryan

Anarchist

From: .nz

Registered: 2009-05-09

Posts: 30,426

Website

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

You can read the wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Pa … le_layouts

---

Arch + dwm   •   Mercurial repos  •   Surfraw

Registered Linux User #482438

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Thanks for the link.

I am interested in a setup identical to the MBR/BIOS example layout.

That page does seem to indicate that it is necessary that the root partition be set as bootable.

Does anybody have any thoughts as to why I am not seeing the bootable option when performing the installation on my laptop, whereas it was available when I did the installation in a VM?

Last edited by Nonnus (2017-12-18 00:41:25)

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 13,729

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Is it a MBR disk?

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Nay, with "fdisk -l" I get that it is GPT.

I did not realize that it was possible to switch between the two as indicated here:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fd … BR_and_GPT

Is there any reason why I shouldn't switch to MBR?

Scimmia

Fellow

Registered: 2012-09-01

Posts: 13,729

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

There's so much you've missed by using the 3rd party guides, this is all covered in the wiki. I'm not going to go over it here. There's a reason these (typically) crappy guides are unsupported.

robg

Member

Registered: 2015-03-05

Posts: 225

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

Nonnus, I suggest you to do the following:

1. Educate yourself (briefly) on the boot process and disk layouts to know what you're dealing with. For instance have a look here and here.
2. Consult the Arch Wiki on Partitioning, in particular the section on choosing between GPT and MBR.
3. Read up on a partitioning tool of your choice, e.g., gparted. Of course I also suggest you to consult the Arch Wiki for this.
4. With all the information at hand, select how to partition your disk and what commands you need to issue from (for example) gparted for this. If you want feedback on your decisions, please feel free to ask.
5. Go ahead and set up your partitions as decided in 4. If errors occur, feel free to ask for help but make sure to provide the exact commands you issued along with their respective output.

Nonnus

Member

Registered: 2017-12-17

Posts: 6

Re: cfdisk: cannot set partition as bootable

All right.