Unable to install Artix KDE with BTRFS on VBox

26 March 2025, 21:02:24

Hi, I really liked the idea of Artix and wanted to try it out on a VM. But while trying to install it, I faced 2 roadblocks.

1. Trying "Erase Disk". Unable to create subvolumes. Can't boot into Artix:
In the Calamares installer, it isn't possible to set BTRFS subvolumes. After trying the erase disk method I get the following error: "premature end of file /@/boot/amd-ucode.img"

2. Manually creating paritions. Can't boot at all:
I tried manually creating partitions. The following is how I configured it. When trying this, I was unable to boot at all.
Note: I added "boot" flag to the FAT32 partition.

Side note: It worked with "Erase Disk" with ext4. I also tried adding the following to "/etc/callamares-offline/modules/mount.conf" to add subvolumes, didn't help so can't confirm if it creates subvolumes.

Code: [Select]

extraMounts:
    - device: proc
      fs: proc
      mountPoint: /proc
    - device: sys
      fs: sysfs
      mountPoint: /sys
    - device: /dev
      mountPoint: /dev
      options: [ bind ]
    - device: tmpfs
      fs: tmpfs
      mountPoint: /run
    - device: /run/udev
      mountPoint: /run/udev
      options: [ bind ]
    - device: efivarfs
      fs: efivarfs
      mountPoint: /sys/firmware/efi/efivars
      efi: true

btrfsSubvolumes:
    - mountPoint: /
      subvolume: /@
    - mountPoint: /home
      subvolume: /@home

Goal: Install Artix with BTRFS with home and root subvolumes (same partition). I would really prefer if it was possible via the GUI install process (not base). Thanks!

Re: Unable to install Artix KDE with BTRFS on VBox

Reply #1 – 27 March 2025, 14:00:38

There have been reports of calamares failing in Artix with btrfs; not sure if it's our fault or calamares'...

Re: Unable to install Artix KDE with BTRFS on VBox

Reply #2 – 28 March 2025, 12:03:03

Edit: I tried the Calamares installer on EndavourOS and it seemed to work with BTRFS if that is relevant

Oh okay. I guess I'll have to try installing via the terminal. Feels a bit complicated for me (coming from MX Linux), but the wiki seems pretty well documented and the arch wiki helps too. Fingers crossed

Re: Unable to install Artix KDE with BTRFS on VBox

Reply #3 – 28 March 2025, 18:51:11

I tested the community-qt ISO and it installed fine in a VM with BTRFS. I got a minor error about premature end of @/boot/amd-ucode.img or something, but pressing ENTER it booted nonetheless. I haven't used this filesystem at all, so I'll stop here.