Installer hangs at 'Trying to mount root from cd9660...'

[VillageIdiot]

Why doesn't OPNsense like me?

In deciding whether to use pfSense or OPNsense, I've seen several things online indicating that the OPNSense UI is better for people that are new to managing a firewall.  And I'm just an ignorant Windows user.

So, I decided to go with OPNsense.  Trying to install version 20.7, it scrolls through a list of things until it gets to
Trying to mount root from cd9660:/dev/iso9660/OPNSENSE_INSTALL [rol...
The solid  cursor sits at the beginning of the next line and the install goes no further.

I can install FreeBSD 12.1 with no problem.  I can install pfSense 2.4.5-p1 as well.
I have also tried OPNsense 20.1 and 19.1.4 just to see it stop at the same place.  I can’t seem to find earlier versions of OPNsense.  The links just result in 404 pages.

It might be easier to just go with pfSense but I would like to try OPNsens.

I’m using an old msi 890FXA-GD70 with a quad core AMD Phenom processor and 4GB of ram.  It has onboard Realtek dual port network which BSD lists as compatible.  This board doesn't give me the option of booting from USB, so I'm using the DVD image.  I bought a WD 120GB SSD for this, though I’m now testing with a spinning drive.

I would think that if BSD is happy my environment, then OPNsense would be.
Any suggestion(s) as to what might be the problem?

[littlepepper]

Opnsense is based on HardenedBSD. Different from FreeBSD (which pfsense is based on).

Try some of the suggestions offered here: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/58160/root-mount-error/8

Even though it is for FreeBSD some of the suggestion might be applicable.

[marjohn56]

If you can install FreeBSD then try this method using bootstrap. Usually used for ZFS installation, but it might just get you working.


https://github.com/opnsense/update#opnsense-bootstrap

[VillageIdiot]

Opnsense is based on HardenedBSD. Different from FreeBSD (which pfsense is based on).

Try some of the suggestions offered here: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/58160/root-mount-error/8

Even though it is for FreeBSD some of the suggestion might be applicable.

I didn't see anything there that relates to me since I have to boot from SATA and don't have a USB option.
But, thanks for trying to help.

[franco]

Comparing to 2.4.5-p1 ISO the file is only 372 MB. I'm guessing you are using a similarly slim image for FreeBSD? Are you sure your disk and drive and target system support DVD size?


Cheers,
Franco

[VillageIdiot]

Comparing to 2.4.5-p1 ISO the file is only 372 MB. I'm guessing you are using a similarly slim image for FreeBSD? Are you sure your disk and drive and target system support DVD size?


Cheers,
Franco

Yes, the compressed 372MB file expanded to 717 on the DVD.
The FreeBSD ISO was 4.2GB and shows as 4.5GB on the DVD.
I don't understand the question?  It's a desktop system with standard DVD read/write/RW.
The target drive will be a 120GB SSD but until I get something working, I'm using a 1TB spinning drive.

[franco]

My bad, never-mind.


Cheers,
Franco

[marjohn56]

have you tried the method I posted using opnsense-bootstrap?

[VillageIdiot]

have you tried the method I posted using opnsense-bootstrap?

Yes, and that seemed to be working.  It got to a point that looked like it was starting OPNsense but then started timing out and seemed to be rejecting the WD hard drive

I reset the system and it gets to a point where it's trying to mount root from zfs:zroot/ROOT/default []...
I used the ZFS option because someone on a YouTube video said it was the better choice.

I thought I would try again with the SSD and see if I get a different result.  But it is also a WD 

[marjohn56]

IMHO There's little point in using ZFS on a single drive. Leave ZFS out of the equation and try again.

[VillageIdiot]

IMHO There's little point in using ZFS on a single drive. Leave ZFS out of the equation and try again.

I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to installing anything BSD related.  I get lost on Linux too.
Tried using the default DOS settings to no avail.
There are a lot of options installing FreeBSD and I'm probably getting something wrong.  I've tried taking the defaults a and few variants.  Nothing has worked.  I can't find instructions on how to install FreeBSD for OPNsense.
It's strange that FreeBSD works until OPNsense is introduced.  and then there is a mount problem.

Thank you for trying to help