Arch Linux

Saeverix

Member

Registered: 2024-03-29

Posts: 5

Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Ever since I am using Arch Linux, I have been annoyed by the spinner/loader that is displayed as soon as the system starts.
It's always in the center of the screen, and it remains visible until you boot into Arch. I can also make it disappear by clearing the NVRAM on the MacBook, but it's back again after a second reboot.

I have never had this problem with other distros like Fedora or Ubuntu.
Yesterday I did a clean install of Arch + Gnome using "archinstall", hoping the problem would have been solved. But sadly it's still there.
I checked the systemd-boot settings and entries, but I could not discover any strange settings.

I have attached a GIF with a short video of the spinner. Hopefully somebody with a Mac sees this, and can help me solve the issue.

zggzcgy

Member

From: CN

Registered: 2022-08-27

Posts: 9

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Have you tried modifying time=0 in the $esp/loader/loader.conf file to turn off the display menu? more info

timeout  0

Saeverix

Member

Registered: 2024-03-29

Posts: 5

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Have you tried modifying time=0 in the $esp/loader/loader.conf file to turn off the display menu? more info

timeout  0

I just tried that, and even though the menu is gone the spinner is still there for 2-3 seconds.

I am fairly certain the spinner is from the MacBook UEFI, which now displays because some strange default setting in Arch.

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: London

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 7,894

Website

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Try this kernel parameter:

bgrt_disable=1

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Juri divino omnia sunt communia

Saeverix

Member

Registered: 2024-03-29

Posts: 5

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Try this kernel parameter:

bgrt_disable=1

Thanks for the suggestion. I added the parameter to the Arch configuration under "/boot/loader/entries", and cleared the Mac NVRAM (just to make site is had no leftover settings from before).
Sadly it made no difference, after a second reboot (after clearing the NVRAM) the spinner was back .

Head_on_a_Stick

Member

From: London

Registered: 2014-02-20

Posts: 7,894

Website

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Does Plymouth make it go away? I presume Fedora & Ubuntu use that.

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Juri divino omnia sunt communia

Saeverix

Member

Registered: 2024-03-29

Posts: 5

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

That might be worth a shot, I will try and let you know.

Just tried it, short answer: It did not work.

Long answer: I installed Plymouth, added quiet and splash to the kernel parameters, added the mkinitcpio hook. Finally I set the theme to "spinner" using "plymouth-set-default-theme -R spinner" (which also runs mkinitcpio).
Now when it boots, it first shows the Mac UEFI Spinner for 2-3 seconds and then Plymouth starts.

Last edited by Saeverix (2024-03-30 22:06:42)

Saeverix

Member

Registered: 2024-03-29

Posts: 5

Re: Annoying spinner/loader on MacBook Pro 2012 + systemd-boot

Anyone else with a MacBook who solved this? Or anyone else with some things we can try?