OSDev.org

Posted: **Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:59 pm**

Looks like I am having a trouble with grub. IMO, grub is a crappy design (poorly documented, mysterious commands parameters, ever changing syntax and interface) but I have to deal with it unfortunately.

I have configured linux based pre-boot execution server in UEFI mode and configured semi-auto installation ks script. By semi-auto I meant, everything will go automatic except disk partitioning stage. So once the installation kicks off only manual intervention is user to choose the target installation disk.

It works except when linux is installed onto second harddrive when multiple hard drive present.
Due to my need, I have Windows server instaled in UEFI mode on 1st drive so it is not to be touched during installation of linux onto 2nd HDD for dual UEFI boot.

Using kick start configurator i set as following:

Code: Select all

- install new boot loader (instead of do not install new bootloader)
- install boot loader onto MBR (instead of 1st sector of boot partition)
- do not clear MBR
- preserve existing partitions.

During installation, it shows one option dialog:

Code: Select all

"Installation requires partitioning of your hdd...."
- use entire drive
- replace existing linux system
- use free space

which drives do you want to use 
[*] sda (1st hdd)
[*] sdb (2nd hdd)

Since the requirement is to not touch Windows installation on 1st hdd, I unselect sda and select sdb and chose "use entire drive" and move on. The installer creates /efi /boot/ root swap whatever everything onto /sdb.

The only problem is after installation completed and boots:

Code: Select all

It fails to boot with error: "Error 17: Can not mount selected partition. "

Code: Select all

Grub menu shows
root(1,0)
kernel line (usual stuff)
initrd line (usual stuff)

Trying to figure out why. My understanding is root(1,0) signifies 2nd drive (sdb) and 1st partition of second drive which is where I exactly installed.

Posted: **Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:17 pm**

Another experiment: Installed it manually from same server without using kickstart.
Then it boots. When inspected:

Code: Select all

root(0,1)

from efi shell I can see

Code: Select all

fs0:\efi\Microsoft
fs0:\efi\Boot\bootx64.efi
fs0:\efi\<Linux>\bootx64.efi

has boot Microsoft and Linux bootloader installed
Then there is another

Code: Select all

fs1:\efi\<Linux>\bootx64.efi

folder which also had Linux bootloader.
Basically linux bootloader it is duplicated across two disks even though I told not to touch the first drive.
Creepy and strange design!!

OSDev.org

pxe boot in uefi mode.

pxe boot in uefi mode.

Re: pxe boot in uefi mode.