mjhjmtu

I'm installing Arch on a KVM VPS. I did this a couple days ago at one VPS provider and I was able to get Arch up and running without much problem. However, I'm trying out another VPS provider today and I ran into a problem I haven't been able to solve.

I'm installing Arch by mounting an ISO image as a CD Rom, booting into the Arch ISO and doing a manual install. Everything seems to go fine, but when I unmount the "CD Rom" and reboot, the error is:

ERROR: device 'UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' not found. Skipping fsck.

mount: /new_root: can't find UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb.

You are now being dropped into an emergency shell.

sh: can't access tty: job control turned off

[rootfs ]#

I'm using GTP and a bios boot partition as shown in these partitioning steps:

gdisk /dev/sda

Number Start (sector) End (sector) Size Code Name
1 2048 4095 1024.0 KiB EF02 BIOS boot partition
2 4096 25169919 12.0 GiB 8300 Linux filesystem
3 25169920 41943006 8.0 GiB 8200 Linux swap

Here are my steps leading up to pacstrap:

mkfs.btrfsk /dev/sda2
mkswap /dev/sda3
swapon /dev/sda3

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
pacstrap -i /mnt <my list of packages includes grub>
pacstrap -i /mnt base base-devel linux-lts.... btrfs-progs grub ...
genfstab -U -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

Here' is the generated fstab:

# /dev/sda2
UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb / btrfs rw,relatime,space_cache,subvolid=5,subvol=/ 0 0

# /dev/sda3
UUID=b1388b5c-0bd1-444b-9b2e-d1b39537326d none swap defaults 0 0

I typically change the mount options to these:

UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb / btrfs rw,noatime,nodiratime,compress=lzo,space_cache,defaults,subvol=/ 0 0

(BTW, both fstab versions give the same error shown above on rebooting.)

Next I do arch-chroot /mnt and then the normal installation steps... I'm keeping these details brief so I can show the steps related to grub, which is where I assume the problem is.

To /etc/mkinitcpio.conf, I add this binary:

BINARIES=(/usr/bin/btrfs)

Then I run the next two standard grub commands (output shown):

grub-install /dev/sda

Installing for i386-pc platform.
Installation finished. No error reported.

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Generating grub configuration file ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-linux-lts
Found initrd image: /boot/initramfs-linux-lts.img
Found fallback initrd image(s) in /boot: initramfs-linux-lts-fallback.img
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-linux
Found initrd image: /boot/initramfs-linux.img
Found fallback initrd image(s) in /boot: initramfs-linux-fallback.img
done

after getting the network ready, etc., I reboot and remove the CD Rom. But the system fails to boot and gives the error shown above.

Here are all the config files and output that I think might be relevant:

root@archiso ~ # cat /mnt/boot/grub/grub.cfg

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
insmod part_gpt
insmod part_msdos
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
if [ "$next_entry" ] ; then
set default="$next_entry"
set next_entry=
save_env next_entry
set boot_once=true
else
set default="0"
fi

if [ x"$feature_menuentry_id" = xy ]; then
menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "$prev_saved_entry" ]; then
set saved_entry="$prev_saved_entry"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault 
if [ -z "$boot_once" ]; then
 saved_entry="$chosen"
 save_env saved_entry
fi


function load_video 
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
 insmod all_video
else
 insmod efi_gop
 insmod efi_uga
 insmod ieee1275_fb
 insmod vbe
 insmod vga
 insmod video_bochs
 insmod video_cirrus
fi


if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod btrfs
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
fi
 font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_input console
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
set timeout_style=menu
set timeout=5
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
set timeout=5
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Arch Linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 load_video
 set gfxpayload=keep
 insmod gzio
 insmod part_gpt
 insmod btrfs
 set root='hd0,gpt2'
 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 else
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 fi
 echo 'Loading Linux linux-lts ...'
 linux /boot/vmlinuz-linux-lts root=UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb rw quiet
 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
 initrd /boot/initramfs-linux-lts.img

submenu 'Advanced options for Arch Linux' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux-lts' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-lts-advanced-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 load_video
 set gfxpayload=keep
 insmod gzio
 insmod part_gpt
 insmod btrfs
 set root='hd0,gpt2'
 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 else
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 fi
 echo 'Loading Linux linux-lts ...'
 linux /boot/vmlinuz-linux-lts root=UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb rw quiet
 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
 initrd /boot/initramfs-linux-lts.img
 
 menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux-lts (fallback initramfs)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-lts-fallback-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 load_video
 set gfxpayload=keep
 insmod gzio
 insmod part_gpt
 insmod btrfs
 set root='hd0,gpt2'
 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 else
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 fi
 echo 'Loading Linux linux-lts ...'
 linux /boot/vmlinuz-linux-lts root=UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb rw quiet
 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
 initrd /boot/initramfs-linux-lts-fallback.img
 
 menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-advanced-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 load_video
 set gfxpayload=keep
 insmod gzio
 insmod part_gpt
 insmod btrfs
 set root='hd0,gpt2'
 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 else
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 fi
 echo 'Loading Linux linux ...'
 linux /boot/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb rw quiet
 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
 initrd /boot/initramfs-linux.img
 
 menuentry 'Arch Linux, with Linux linux (fallback initramfs)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-fallback-fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb' 
 load_video
 set gfxpayload=keep
 insmod gzio
 insmod part_gpt
 insmod btrfs
 set root='hd0,gpt2'
 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 else
 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb
 fi
 echo 'Loading Linux linux ...'
 linux /boot/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb rw quiet
 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
 initrd /boot/initramfs-linux-fallback.img
 


### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f $config_directory/custom.cfg ]; then
source $config_directory/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "$config_directory" -a -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

[root@archiso /]# cat /etc/default/grub

# GRUB boot loader configuration

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Arch"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

# Preload both GPT and MBR modules so that they are not missed
GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES="part_gpt part_msdos"

# Uncomment to enable booting from LUKS encrypted devices
#GRUB_ENABLE_CRYPTODISK=y

# Uncomment to enable Hidden Menu, and optionally hide the timeout count
#GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=5
#GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true

# Uncomment to use basic console
GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console

# Uncomment to disable graphical terminal
#GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=console

# The resolution used on graphical terminal
# note that you can use only modes which your graphic card supports via VBE
# you can see them in real GRUB with the command `vbeinfo'
GRUB_GFXMODE=auto

# Uncomment to allow the kernel use the same resolution used by grub
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep

# Uncomment if you want GRUB to pass to the Linux kernel the old parameter
# format "root=/dev/xxx" instead of "root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/xxx"
#GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true

# Uncomment to disable generation of recovery mode menu entries
GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY=true

# Uncomment and set to the desired menu colors. Used by normal and wallpaper
# modes only. Entries specified as foreground/background.
#GRUB_COLOR_NORMAL="light-blue/black"
#GRUB_COLOR_HIGHLIGHT="light-cyan/blue"

# Uncomment one of them for the gfx desired, a image background or a gfxtheme
#GRUB_BACKGROUND="/path/to/wallpaper"
#GRUB_THEME="/path/to/gfxtheme"

# Uncomment to get a beep at GRUB start
#GRUB_INIT_TUNE="480 440 1"

# Uncomment to make GRUB remember the last selection. This requires to
# set 'GRUB_DEFAULT=saved' above.
#GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT="true"

[root@archiso /]# blkid

/dev/sr0: UUID="2017-04-01-11-29-57-00" LABEL="ARCH_201704" TYPE="iso9660" PTUUID="48d46635" PTTYPE="dos"
/dev/sda1: PARTLABEL="BIOS boot partition" PARTUUID="0102316e-d6ba-4896-b184-7d93bbd8fd1b"
/dev/sda2: LABEL="top_level" UUID="fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb" UUID_SUB="9c7e449b-26f5-43d0-88a0-f7d01479cf82" TYPE="btrfs" PARTLABEL="Linux filesystem" PARTUUID="2758217d-bf0b-4036-aea0-26b68ae733f5"
/dev/sda3: UUID="b1388b5c-0bd1-444b-9b2e-d1b39537326d" TYPE="swap" PARTLABEL="Linux swap" PARTUUID="c48910f1-2483-4228-a0f4-952b2e9f101a"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"

root@archiso ~ # lsblk -f

NAME FSTYPE LABEL UUID MOUNTPOINT
loop0 squashfs /run/archiso/sfs/airootfs
sda
├─sda1
├─sda2 btrfs top_level fd92f3e7-f092-48c7-9f16-d94ba3de51fb /mnt
└─sda3 swap b1388b5c-0bd1-444b-9b2e-d1b39537326d [SWAP]
sr0 iso9660 ARCH_201704 2017-04-01-11-29-57-00 /run/archiso/bootmnt

UPDATE 1: Since I didn't have any better ideas to try, in /etc/default/grub I enabled this option:

GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true

And I regenerated grub.cfg:

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

After that change, when I boot up the VPS, I get a similar error:

ERROR: device '/dev/sda2' not found. Skipping fsck.

:: mounting '/dev/sda2' on real root

mount /new_root: no filesystem type specified

Does that give a clue about what I'm missing?