Summary:
When Artix Linux is installed on a BIOS system using GPT for partitioning through the Calamares installer in the ISO image, the installed system is not bootable.
GRUB is not loaded, only a blinking cursor is seen on screen.
ISO images tested:
- artix-plasma-dinit-20241209-x86_64.iso (https://download.artixlinux.org/weekly-iso/artix-plasma-dinit-20241209-x86_64.iso)
- artix-plasma-dinit-20240823-x86_64.iso (https://download.artixlinux.org/iso/artix-plasma-dinit-20240823-x86_64.iso)
Steps to reproduce:
- Boot into any of the above mentioned ISO images downloaded from the official downloads page, through a bootable USB drive created through Rufus/Ventoy.
- Start the Calamares installer on the desktop and proceed with offline installation.
- Select any region, time zone, and keyboard layout.
- Select Manual Partitioning, and create the first necessary partition for a GPT on BIOS installation as recommended, and other partitions as needed (example below):
- unformatted, 8 MB, no mount point
- ext4, 945668 MB, /
- linuxswap, 8192 MB, no mount point
- Specify user name, computer name and passwords for the user and root.
- Reboot
Expected result:
The installed OS is bootable and Artix Linux boot options are displayed. The init system loads and the KDE login screen appears.
Actual result:
The installed OS is not bootable. Artix Linux boot options are not displayed, only a continuous blinking cursor is displayed on a black screen.
System Specifications:
- CPU: AMD FX-4300 4 Core/4 Thread Processor @ 3.8 GHz
- Disk: Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX-00BN5A0 (1TB, 7200RPM, CMR Drive)
- GPU: HiS AMD Radeon R7 240 1GB GDDR5
- Mainboard: ZEBRONICS ZEB-A780-D3 (AMI BIOS, AMDRS780/SB810 Chipset)
- Memory: ADATA Premier DDR3 1600 4GB
Workaround:
Use an archived ISO image (https://iso.artixlinux.org/archived-isos.php) such as artix-plasma-dinit-20230814-x86_64.iso (https://iso.artixlinux.org/archived-iso/artix-plasma-dinit-20230814-x86_64.iso) to install Artix Linux following the steps above.
The installed OS is bootable and Artix Linux boot options are displayed. The init system loads and the KDE login screen appears.
The OS remains bootable after a full system upgrade.
I can reproduce the same behaviour on a VMware Workstation VM as well.
It however shows: Operating System not found instead of a blinking cursor.
I can confirm. Until we investigate if this is upstream or Artix issue, you can fix it BEFORE you leave the live environment by chrooting into the installation partition as follows:
# artix-chroot /tmp/calamares-root-XXXXXXX (a random string created by the calamares installer)
# grub-install /dev/sdX (your drive letter)
# grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Thank you for the quick reply as well as the temporary fix
@nous.
Please post an update once you complete your investigation.