On 2020-01-05 12:29, hkew...@cock.li wrote: > summary: OpenBSD installs to internal HDD from external USB but fails > to load after the first reboot. If the HDD is removed from the internal > port and is connected via a "SATA to USB" cable it boots succesfully. > > I am a new and inexperienced user, excuse my ignorance. > > All the details and things I have tried so far: > > -All relevant UEFI options configured to legacy mode.
careful with this. Just because it says it supports legacy mode doesn't mean the BIOS was extensively tested in legacy mode. I'd try both modes, just for giggles. > -minirootXX.fs copied to USB using rufus. > -USB boot using legacy mode. > -In install: whole disk mbr-auto config. see above. :) > -After reboot DELL logo is displayed 3 times. On the 3rd time it stays > static. > --Using gpt format instead results in an infinite boot loop. oh. you did try GPT. nevermind. > -Starting UEFI-menu(f2) or diagnostics(f5) or boot-menu(f12) appear to > initiate but then stay static. The UEFI appears to be completely > "bricked". There is no way to proceed. > --Resetting UEFI using CMOS and booting with the HDD in internal port > still renders UEFI "bricked" although it gives a PXE option because it > is enabled by default in the now reset UEFI. > --Merely performing a "clean" on diskpart(win7) to the HDD and plugging > it back "unbricks" the UEFI. > --Merely removing the HDD "unbricks" the UEFI. > -Connecting HDD using "SATA to USB" cable(even without CMOS reset) > works and OpenBSD boots. > -Installing Windows 7(in the same manner OpenBSD was) works and boots > from the internal SATA port. > > Deduction: There seems to be something not allowing OpenBSD to boot > from the internal SATA port, in addition to it rendering the laptop > unusable until the HDD is removed, cleaned or connected via USB port. > > I have taken the time to write all the UEFI configuration I use. Please > check it if you think the problem stems from there. ouch. However, the effort is appreciated. > hardware: DELL Latitude e5440 Pretty sure I've tested one of those, they work. As I recall, the E5440 is a few years old, and if I recall properly, the battery wasn't very long-lived in it. And the Dells of that vintage had a really wacked default -- someone decided it would be best to default to "RAID" for disk mode. Yes, on a one drive laptop. For safety reasons, OpenBSD (and many other non-windows OSs) disable disk access if the disk controller is in RAID mode rather than ACHI or "legacy" mode. So ... is it possible the CMOS battery is bad on your machine? This would explain a "Power up, set up machine, install, reboot -- ok". "power off, power back on later, won't successfully boot" (the kernel would load, but be unable to access the disks and then panic). I'm not convinced this is the problem, but might be. Nick.
