Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

Bedwa · 2022-09-08 23:42:59

I wish to fully install Arch Linux on my SanDisk 256gb USB 3.0 flash drive, and according to the wiki, "If you run Windows or macOS, download VirtualBox, install VirtualBox Extensions, attach your removable medium to a virtual machine running Linux (either already installed or via a live ISO), and point the installation into the now attached drive while using the instructions at the Installation guide."

I then installed archlinux-2022.09.0-x86_64.iso on Vbox. I then installed Vbox extensions, attacked my usb to the vm, but could not point the installation to the drive.

cloverskull · 2022-09-09 00:53:41

I'm a bit confused. Did you install Arch in a VM already and then you want to mount the USB inside the VM and then...what, reinstall Arch on the USB?

What is the output of 'lsblk' when you have the USB unattached and then when you have it attached, from within the VM?

I hate to say this but I don't expect this is an issue with Arch, I expect this is a configuration issue with either the host OS or the Virtualbox configuration, but answering these questions may help figure that out.

GaKu999 · 2022-09-09 09:11:26

Define "could not point the installation to the drive"?
As in like, the drive not being visible at all from VBox no?

I assume this is a VBox machine with an archiso being booted…
Honestly it would be easier to just boot an USB with archiso and then install to the target USB, instead of dealing with all these VM shenanigans.

Bedwa · 2022-09-09 12:29:12

cloverskull wrote:

I'm a bit confused. Did you install Arch in a VM already and then you want to mount the USB inside the VM and then...what, reinstall Arch on the USB?
What is the output of 'lsblk' when you have the USB unattached and then when you have it attached, from within the VM?
I hate to say this but I don't expect this is an issue with Arch, I expect this is a configuration issue with either the host OS or the Virtualbox configuration, but answering these questions may help figure that out.

I installed Arch in a VM, I want to "point the installation into the now attached drive" as per the wiki's words (https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Instal … ble_medium) to get a full install ("If you would like to run a full install of Arch Linux from a USB drive (i.e. with persistent settings), see Install Arch Linux on a removable medium" (https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/USB_fl … on_medium)). However, mounting the USB I can't find the option to "point" an installation.

With:

NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
loop0 7:0 0 683.2M 1 loop /run/archiso/airootfs
sda 8:0 0 8G 0 disk
sdb 8:16 1 232.9G 0 disk
|---sbd1 8:17 1 232.9G 0 part
sr0 11:0 1 794.3M 0 rom /run/archiso/bootmnt
sr1 11:1 1 60.9M 0 rom

Without:
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
loop0 7:0 0 683.2M 1 loop /run/archiso/airootfs
sda 8:0 0 8G 0 disk
sr0 11:0 1 794.3M 0 rom /run/archiso/bootmnt
sr1 11:1 1 60.9M 0 rom

Fyi, I am using the latest Vbox, and the latest Arch iso

Last edited by Bedwa (2022-09-09 12:32:40)

Bedwa · 2022-09-09 12:30:14

GaKu999 wrote:

Define "could not point the installation to the drive"?
As in like, the drive not being visible at all from VBox no?
I assume this is a VBox machine with an archiso being booted…
Honestly it would be easier to just boot an USB with archiso and then install to the target USB, instead of dealing with all these VM shenanigans.

The problem here is that I do not have 2 flash drives, nor do I want to have that many. But thanks for the thought!

Scimmia · 2022-09-09 12:36:28

You keep just saying "point the installation into the now attached drive". Define exactly what you mean by that.

Bedwa · 2022-09-09 12:37:07

Scimmia wrote:

You keep just saying "point the installation into the now attached drive". Define exactly what you mean by that.

I am quoting the exact words of the wiki. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Instal … ble_medium

However, I believe that this means the system files and directories should be installed ON the Flash Drive ITSELF. So this would mean a way to rather than install files on vdi, but on the USB rather,

Last edited by Bedwa (2022-09-09 12:42:46)

Scimmia · 2022-09-09 12:53:18

So you're trying to install Arch onto the drive? Then mount that when doing the installation instead of mounting the vdi, simple as that.

Bedwa · 2022-09-09 13:20:57

Scimmia wrote:

So you're trying to install Arch onto the drive? Then mount that when doing the installation instead of mounting the vdi, simple as that.

When do I mount it? Mount it after it boots? Or mount it on the boot screen?

Keep in mind the Drive is Empty

Scimmia · 2022-09-09 13:27:13

See the Installation Guide.

GaKu999 · 2022-09-09 18:40:58

Bedwa wrote:

The problem here is that I do not have 2 flash drives, nor do I want to have that many. But thanks for the thought!

Being pedantic, you could boot archiso as copytoram them install ArchLinux, but that's irrelevant and over-complicated.

I advice to first get familiar with ArchLinux's Installation Guide
Then try an install to a virtual drive to get the hang of it.

Once used to it, everything else is just application of knowledge.

Big note, ArchLinux is a DiY distro at heart that follows upstream as close as reasonable, there is no auto-magic.
At most there is archinstall, but I don't advise it for this scenario since you'll maybe end with a working system and no idea how it works.

cloverskull · 2022-09-09 19:12:19

Hey @Bedwa, if you look at the delta between 'lsblk' with vs without the USB drive attached, you'll notice that the USB drive is recognized as /dev/sdb. So, you should install whatever is needed to /dev/sdb.

Arch Linux

#1 2022-09-08 23:42:59

Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#2 2022-09-09 00:53:41

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#3 2022-09-09 09:11:26

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#4 2022-09-09 12:29:12

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#5 2022-09-09 12:30:14

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#6 2022-09-09 12:36:28

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#7 2022-09-09 12:37:07

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#8 2022-09-09 12:53:18

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#9 2022-09-09 13:20:57

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#10 2022-09-09 13:27:13

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#11 2022-09-09 18:40:58

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

#12 2022-09-09 19:12:19

Re: Can not point a VBox installation of Arch to my usb

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