'm facing an issue during the OPNsense installation process. At the final step, the system crashes and the installation doesn't complete. I contacted someone for help, and they told me to choose the x86 option since I have an Intel processor. However, I couldn't find any ISO download option labeled "x86" on the website. Can you help me figure out which version I should download for my Intel i7 4th gen processor?
(and i have 16gb ram i wanna use opnsense for my pub public ip)
Do you have a VGA/HDMI console or a serial one?
VGA: OPNsense-25.1-vga-amd64.img.bz2
Serial: OPNsense-25.1-serial-amd64.img.bz2
There is no "x86" image - that would be 32 bit. All images are 64 bit, now. As is your Intel i7 processor.
I downloaded the VGA version (OPNsense-25.1-vga-amd64.img.bz2) since I have a monitor connected via HDMI. I understand that this version is primarily for initial setup like assigning LAN and WAN interfaces.
After setting up the interfaces, I plan to handle the rest of the configuration via the Web GUI.
If needed, I can also take photos of my setup or any issue I encounter and share them here to make things clearer.
Post a picture of the screen when the system crashes. Without the exact message it's difficult to help.
Does it fail to boot into the new installation, as in Help: Installer gets stuck hanging (https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=44541.0)?
https://prnt.sc/eT8gJMNjDLl4
This screenshot is not from my own setup; I took it from a YouTube video just to illustrate where I'm facing an issue.
The problem is: when I reach this screen, the installation suddenly fails, and I start seeing error codes/messages appearing below.
I hope I was able to explain the situation clearly.
(sorry for late reply im working same time and thats why im useing ss from yt)
The problem is: anyone qualified to help needs these exact error messages. Please take a picture with your smart phone and attach it to your post. Don't use image hosting sites. Thank you.
I powered on the system again and retried the installation.
As I mentioned, after I reach the cloning step (as shown in the screenshot I previously shared from YouTube), I get an error like in the screenshot and the system fails to copy to the HDD.
For reference, I'm trying to install OPNsense 25.1 amd64 VGA version.
(https://i.postimg.cc/44jPCvcV/IMG-2185.avif) (https://postimg.cc/pyYzzFqL)
i just add one more ss
(https://i.postimg.cc/3x8DzWt2/IMG-2187.avif) (https://postimg.cc/QHztTNGM)
and so sorry for late reply i just got home new
Quote from: Patrick M. Hausen on March 17, 2025, 05:04:31 PMThe problem is: anyone qualified to help needs these exact error messages. Please take a picture with your smart phone and attach it to your post. Don't use image hosting sites. Thank you.
It looks like you missed the latter part of the instructions. Some users won't follow links to external sites.
If you reply (or preview your reply), you get an opportunity to attach then insert an image in your post. Then it's available directly in the forum.
okeyy i do that i changed the links with the pic
That machine is 10 years old? Do you know that the drive still works?
yeah a old pcbut im sure its working cus its have win 11 like 1 mounth ago and i just clear all the disk for opnsense but still its not work and i try to install ssd to but bouth have same error idk what should i do should i try a old verssion opnsese or sum?
Where did my post go? Your disk or SSD is broken or incompatible with OPNsense.
And placing hidden links to external hosting sites into your posts I consider quite rude. I do not want my browser to contact imgur or whatever you are using ever! Time to create my own blocklist I guess.
You can attach files to your forum posts. Please do so.
Sorry if my previous posts came across the wrong way. I'm actually quite new to using forums and wasn't aware that external links were an issue. Definitely didn't mean to be rude — I'll make sure to attach images directly here from now on.
About the disk/SSD issue:
Do you think trying an older version of OPNsense (like 24.1 instead of 25.1) might work better on this older hardware?
Or is it more likely a hardware incompatibility regardless of the version?
Also, I forgot to mention this earlier — I know it might sound a bit silly, but I was wondering:
Would it be possible to install OPNsense directly onto a USB flash drive and run it from there, instead of using the internal HDD/SSD?
Just to see if the system can work properly like that.
I'd really appreciate any guidance to get this working. Thanks for your patience!
Quote from: enlil on March 17, 2025, 11:38:10 PMDo you think trying an older version of OPNsense (like 24.1 instead of 25.1) might work better on this older hardware?
Why would you even consider running an unsupported EOL version that does not get any security updates? 25.1 is the only supported community edition. Everything else is EOL.
Seriously: you cannot run "an older version" on a security device. It's of utmost importance to run current software.
About your questions about your hardware: please start with posting the full specs of your system. Mainboard or barebone, maker and model, SSD/HDD brand etc. Potentially it's just a simple BIOS setting, but that's of course far fetched and we need to know the details.
@enlil, you are already running from USB if you can get to the position of installing. Therefore, Opnsense works on your system. The errors are characteristic of SSD problems, possibly cable or the controller. Start by checking cables and seating. As implied by Patrick, a BIOS tweak to slow down data rates may enable it to run, or your system might just be a bit old and may even die shortly.
In any event going backwards with the software is very unlikely to improve compatibility, while it will negate the security purpose of a firewall.
all the advice given is on point. That said now the photos are available on the posts instead of a link to another place, it seems quite clear that disk, controller or something for that storage subsystem for ada1 is kaput. Just as passeri pointed out just now.
Given the device name, I suspect a SATA controller and drive on a machine that's about 10 years old (4th Gen i7 ~2015).
Too fast is probably not the issue. Not exactly Win11 supported HW either 😉.
I'm all for reusing hardware but I'm not sure I'd do this for my router, at least from a reliability perspective.
I wonder how long it would take to offset the energy costs compared to a current mini-PC ($200).
Another option might be to install proxmox first and run OPN virtualized. There's enough memory.
simplest change is take out the current disk and replace with a £20 jobbie from amazon for an SSD, no? For the first go at his own firewall why not re-use an existing little machine instead of sending to landfill. Later he/she can upgrade IMHO.