Arch Linux

drpyser

Member

Registered: 2022-10-31

Posts: 10

Failing to boot archlinux ISO from usb key on X1 Carbon Gen 10

Hi all.

So I just broke my install trying to downgrade the kernel(trying to resolve graphics issues).

However, independently of that, I can't get any usb key to boot the archlinux install iso on my laptop. I did succeed in using a usb install key once, but had issues since the beginning with this laptop. usb drivers problems(I could see error logs about usb ports not accepting addresses at some point)? systemd-boot issue?

The usb device is recognized by UEFI, the bootloader actually loads, but going on and booting on the main or fallback config fails. Some output is displayed(too fast for me to read), then the boot process gets stuck on a blank, slightly flickering screen. Pressing a ctrl+alt+del combination directly reboots.

Tried adding `rescue` and then `emergency` into the linux modeline, with no avail.

I already flashed the UEFI bios with the official lenovo update for this model(was having the same issue before, still having it after).

Not really in my comfort zone here. Not sure how I can get any more debug info without booting into a fully working environment.
I can get a UEFI shell, a rootfs shell from the fallback image of my disk install, but that's it for now.

Thanks for any help or advice!

drpyser

Member

Registered: 2022-10-31

Posts: 10

Re: Failing to boot archlinux ISO from usb key on X1 Carbon Gen 10

Okay, this might be an issue with the laptop screen actually. Plugged in a monitor and could get an init shell running. Is it normal to get a kernel panic when exiting an init shell?

drpyser

Member

Registered: 2022-10-31

Posts: 10

Re: Failing to boot archlinux ISO from usb key on X1 Carbon Gen 10

Okay, I confirm the iso actually boots, but my laptop screen flickers out. I can see the shell and debug output on my external monitor. Beside the laptop screen issue, there's a bunch of SQUASHFS error: unable to read {fragment,page}, and other errors from services failing to start because of IO errors(probably cause by squashfs failure).

Now, I'm skeptical that this is just a broken usb key, as I've tried a few with the same official procedure(using dd).
Could squashfs failures be related to the laptop itself? The USB ports?

d.ALT

Member

Registered: 2019-05-10

Posts: 956

Re: Failing to boot archlinux ISO from usb key on X1 Carbon Gen 10

there's a bunch of SQUASHFS error: unable to read {fragment,page}, and other errors from services failing to start because of IO errors(probably cause by squashfs failure).

Seems the flashed image is somewhat corrupted and/or the USB drive is failing.

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nl6720

The Evil Wiki Admin

Registered: 2016-07-02

Posts: 710

Re: Failing to boot archlinux ISO from usb key on X1 Carbon Gen 10

Which ISO are you using?
archlinux-2022.10.01-x86_64.iso has linux 5.19.12 which can cause flickering (FS#76064). The latest archlinux-2022.11.01-x86_64.iso shouldn't have this issue.