Arch Linux

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17 Player on Windows 11. I've encountered several errors during the installation process, even after trying different configurations. Here are the details:

VMware Setup:
- VMware Workstation Player version: 17.6.1
- Arch Linux ISO: Latest version (as of November 2024)
- Disk Size: 50 GB
- RAM: 8 GB
- Processor: 2 cores
- Filesystem: ext4 (without LVM)
- Windows Version: Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2161)

Errors Encountered:

1. Write Failed Errors During Package Installation:
   I see repeated errors like:
   "error: could not extract /usr/lib/modules/6.11.7-arch1-1/kernel/... (Write failed)"
   
   This happens with many files, and it seems like the installer is unable to extract kernel modules or other packages to `/usr/lib/modules`. The installation doesn't proceed beyond this point.

2. mkfs.ext4 Error:
   When trying to format partitions manually using ext4 (without LVM), I received this error:
   "SysCallError: ['/usr/bin/mkfs.ext4', '/dev/sda2'] exited with abnormal exit code [1]: mkfs.ext4: /dev/sda2 is apparently in use by the system; will not make a filesystem here!"
   
   It seems like `/dev/sda2` is being used by the system, but I'm not sure why.

3. Python Traceback Errors in archinstall:
   After these issues, I also get Python traceback errors that seem to be related to `archinstall` failing at various points. For example:
   "File '/usr/lib/python3.12/site-packages/archinstall/lib/device_handler.py', line 247, in format SysCommand(cmd) ... raise SysCallError(...)"
   
   This happens when trying to format or partition the disk.

Steps I've Tried So Far:
- Rebooted and retried installation multiple times.
- Used ext4 without LVM.
- Wiped the disk using `dd` before starting the installation.
- Updated `archinstall` using `pacman -Syu archinstall`.

Despite these efforts, I keep running into errors during installation.

Questions:
1. What could be causing the "Write failed" errors during package extraction?
2. Why does `/dev/sda2` appear to be in use when trying to format it with `mkfs.ext4`?
3. Are there any known issues with `archinstall` or Python 3.12 that could be causing this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! If needed, I can provide more details or logs.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Here are links to screenshots of the errors:
- Screenshot 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jOxdPh … drive_link
- Screenshot 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jI-h6e … drive_link
- Screenshot 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j3dNlJ … drive_link
- Screenshot 4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j2Yy4D … drive_link

Last edited by RareBird15 (2024-11-10 13:08:42)

cryptearth

Member

Registered: 2024-02-03

Posts: 1,015

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

don't use archinstall but go the manual way: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

don't use archinstall but go the manual way: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide

Ugh, I was afraid someone would say that. I'm not good at the partitioning thing lol. Never know how much space to assign for each thing. I wanted to use BTRFS originally but it gave me an error when setting it up. Do I need to stick with EXT4 or will BTRFS work if I do it manually?

Lone_Wolf

Administrator

From: Netherlands, Europe

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 12,977

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

EXT4 is simpler, also you can just create 2 partitions :
a small one (512 MB or 1 GB) for EFI
Rest for /

---

Disliking systemd intensely, but not satisfied with alternatives so focusing on taming systemd.

clean chroot building not flexible enough ?
Try clean chroot manager by graysky

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

EXT4 is simpler, also you can just create 2 partitions :
a small one (512 MB or 1 GB) for EFI
Rest for /

I don't need a swap partition?

cryptearth

Member

Registered: 2024-02-03

Posts: 1,015

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

archinstall is a tool to help experienced users to speed up mass deploy - it's not meant as an easy way out for new people
if you have issue follow the manual guide you should start by learning how to do that properly to understand what archinstall is even doing and what goes wrong
the posted error messages give some hints that you did more than just boot an install media and run archinstall

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

archinstall is a tool to help experienced users to speed up mass deploy - it's not meant as an easy way out for new people
if you have issue follow the manual guide you should start by learning how to do that properly to understand what archinstall is even doing and what goes wrong
the posted error messages give some hints that you did more than just boot an install media and run archinstall

That's literally all I did. I set up VMware, opened the virtual machine, and ran archinstall. I've done a manual install once. I just had a hard time with the partitioning so I preferred archinstall after that once I found out about it.

cryptearth

Member

Registered: 2024-02-03

Posts: 1,015

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

the makefs error only comes up if the target partition is mounted (which requires a mountable filesystem)
archinstall doesn't do such stupid things - it just doesn't add up with what you report

Lone_Wolf

Administrator

From: Netherlands, Europe

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 12,977

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

I don't need a swap partition?

Without a swap partition (or swap file )  the VM may stall sooner due to memory pressure, but you only allocated 50 GB for disksize.
with 8 GB memory you'd probably have to set swap space at 12 GB to get a substantial improvement for memory hungry apps.

---

Disliking systemd intensely, but not satisfied with alternatives so focusing on taming systemd.

clean chroot building not flexible enough ?
Try clean chroot manager by graysky

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

I did try the installation multiple times without rebooting in between, so maybe that could cause it? Also, I just tried to synchronize the Pacman database and got errors saying write failed. Here's another screenshot.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jSPtjA … drive_link

RareBird15

Member

Registered: 2024-11-10

Posts: 6

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

I don't need a swap partition?

Without a swap partition (or swap file )  the VM may stall sooner due to memory pressure, but you only allocated 50 GB for disksize.
with 8 GB memory you'd probably have to set swap space at 12 GB to get a substantial improvement for memory hungry apps.

Ah okay. I was told 50 GB would probably be good for what I'm doing, which is SSH to a server where I'll be self-hosting things, maybe writing code, and trying out different apps.

cryptearth

Member

Registered: 2024-02-03

Posts: 1,015

Re: Errors Installing Arch Linux in VMware Workstation 17

windows 11 comes with a SSH client built-in (and even server if you enable it) - no need to setup a linux vm just for that
as for "multiple tries without reboot": *once again passing the "things that make you GRR" thread and jumping off the cliff
if - for whatever reason - the install fails - don't just try it once again right after without cleaning up first (or at least check for what went wrong)
if archinstall doesn't complete, which I can see only a messed up partition as a reason for, it does not perform the clean up at its end - so the state is undefined
if you're new to linux and system administration I recommend a distribution that takes you on the hand like opensuse, ubuntu or maybe popos - Arch's target audience are advanced users who know thier way around linux, system administration and are able to get a system running following the wiki
sorry not sorry but as you seem to lack several fundamentals arch likely isn't a good choice
as for the remote server: I hope someone manages it for you - otherwise you likely will run into getting your system taken over and then down by the hoster - a remote server open to the dangers of the internet is no playground! you're the one responsible for everything that happens with it - if someone hacks it and does something illegal like buying drugs it's you who has to suffer - spending time in jail instead of learning safely in a vm ain't fun