i cant set up

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Do 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.

[passeri]

@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.

[cookiemonster]

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.

[EricPerl]

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.

[cookiemonster]

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.