[Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

sweetthdevil · 2020-04-25 17:15:06

Hello all,

Due to issues with Windows 10 that I unfortunately still require for works - I back up my entire Archlinux install using tar ( https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fu … p_with_tar )

I then re-installed Windows 10, then proceed with an Archlinux live environment, mounted the partition and restored the system.

Following that, I added the Linux UEFI entry - but my system isn't booting, stay black and then rebooting.

I am a bit lost, surely by restoring the system, re-adding the UEFI entry with the right partition it should be booting up?

Where should I start looking into it? Should I re-install a base, then restore the system?

Thank you for taking the time to read my topic.

Last edited by sweetthdevil (2020-04-27 06:52:20)

Trilby · 2020-04-25 17:28:45

sweetthdevil wrote:

then proceed with an Archlinux live environment, mounted the partition...

You should have mounted more than one partition.

Be more specific about exactly what you did (commands and relevant output) and we can be more specific about what you need to do to fix it.

sweetthdevil · 2020-04-25 17:42:35

Thank you for your reply,

Just realised I only mounted /dev/sda1 /mnt then bsdtar --xattrs -xpf $backupfile as per the wiki.

All my /home etc are on the same partition. Then I mounted /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot and added the UEFI line with efibootmgr

*edit* since I changed the partition table and size (also move from mbr to gpt) I didn't mount /mnt/boot to restore it.

Last edited by sweetthdevil (2020-04-25 17:43:40)

Trilby · 2020-04-25 18:07:33

Ok, none of that makes sense. It sounds like you found the source of the problem (not all partitions were mounted), but did you resolve it? If not, please clarify your post. You refer to mounting sda1 multiple times in multiple locations including /mnt/boot, but then also say you didn't mount /mnt/boot. I can't make heads or tails of that.

And again, specific commands and relevant output will be necessary. What was the efibootmgry command that you used, etc.

EDIT: and why is this in installation ... again. Why is the Installation subforum your default for all your questions?

Last edited by Trilby (2020-04-25 18:08:56)

sweetthdevil · 2020-04-25 18:16:30

Right sorry let me clarify it.

1) Wiped the whole hard drive
2) Partitioned it as follow:
sda1 EFI
sda2 MRS (Microsoft reserved something)
sda3 Windows 10
sda4 Ext4 Archlinux

3) Installed Windows 10
4) Booted live environment
5) mounted /dev/sda4 to /mnt on live environment
6) cd /mnt
7) bsdtar --xattrs -xpf $backupfile
8) mounted /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot
9) arch-chroot /mnt
10) added UEFI archlinux entry using efibootmgr
11) rebooted on archlinux => black screen, then computer rebooted

I hope that clarify the query.

In regards, to why choosing the Installation part of the forum, as I am re-installing I thought it was the best section, if not my apologies.

Trilby · 2020-04-25 19:50:22

You're not reinstalling, you are restoring a backup.

But the problem is clear from those steps. There's nothing (related to linux) on your boot partition. You need to restore the contents of your old boot partition to sda1 - either that or you need to reinstall the kernel (with sda1 mounted properly) and rebuild the initramfs.

You'll also need to update your fstab, but that's not the cause of the current problem.

sweetthdevil · 2020-04-25 19:55:40

Again, thank you for your reply.

I am sorry, but I am confused. I generated the UEFI entry by using efibootmgr as per the wiki (the entry is showing when booting the system) those steps were done with both sda4 & sda1 mounted and arch-rooted on the restored partition.

Will have a go a reinstalling the kernel and rebuilding initramfs tomorrow then and keep the topic updated.

Thank you.

Trilby · 2020-04-25 20:00:04

You can reinstall them, or just move them from sda4 to sda1. But if sda1 is /boot, then that's where the kernel and initramfs should be - but they currently are not.

Xyne · 2020-04-25 22:09:32

Moving to Newbie Corner because this is not an installation issue.

sweetthdevil · 2020-04-26 10:34:32

Just in order to keep the topic completed - I am now writing those lines from my restored Archlinux.

Thank you for your assistance. I re-installed the kernel with both /dev/sda4 /mnt & /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot and re-generated the initramfs then re-added the entry on the UEFI using efibootmgr.

Thank you for your help.

WorMzy · 2020-04-26 10:52:59

Please remember to mark your thread as solved.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Co … ow_to_post

Arch Linux

#1 2020-04-25 17:15:06

[Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#2 2020-04-25 17:28:45

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#3 2020-04-25 17:42:35

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#4 2020-04-25 18:07:33

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#5 2020-04-25 18:16:30

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#6 2020-04-25 19:50:22

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#7 2020-04-25 19:55:40

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#8 2020-04-25 20:00:04

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#9 2020-04-25 22:09:32

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#10 2020-04-26 10:34:32

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

#11 2020-04-26 10:52:59

Re: [Solved] Re-install after Hard drive clean up. Tar back up

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