FreeBSD install to a Partition
I recently saw a readers comment on the 01-27-2020 DistroWatch website
regarding installing FreeBSD to a partition rather than using the whole
disk. I was having the same problem for what seemed like years. I tried
every option possible while installing and never could get the installer
to install to a single partition. Then about 6 months ago I was finally
able to find the right options to make it work.
I'm not a power user or a GURU. I just surf the web looking at different
articles and look at videos on YouTube. Here's what I did to get FreeBSD
to install to a single partition instead of using the whole disk.
Insert your install media and boot the machine.
The first install screen that comes up is the 'Stall or Shell' screen.
Select 'Shell' to format your partition and hit enter.
At the prompt enter '#newfs -U -O2 /dev/ada0px'. This formats the partition
with the UFS filesystem. Enter 'exit' to exit. Now select 'install'.
The next 3 screens are different preferences for your install.
***** This is where you are able to select a partition to install in. *****
Partitioning screen --- Select 'Auto UFS' and hit OK.
Next Partitioning screen --- Select your disk and hit OK.
Partition screen --- Select partition and hit enter.
Warning screen comes up --- Select editor.
Partition Editor screen --- Use down arrow to select partition to install
to. Use the left arrow to bump over to the 'Modify' option. Hit enter.
Edit Partition screen --- Use the Tab key and the down arrow to get to the
'mountpoint' line. Enter /. Select and hit OK. Select and hit 'Finish' option.
Conformation screen --- Hit 'Commit' option.
Warning screen --- Preexisting filesystem exists. Select and hit 'Yes'.
Installing to your selected partition will now begin.
I found the following web sites to help finish installing FreeBSD.
A couple are old but still helpful.
http://georgesfocant.blogspot.com/2014/06/procedure-for-installing-kde-4-and-kdm.html
http://daemon-notes.com/articles/desktop/kde/install
https://wiki.freebsd.org/Graphics#Hardware_Support
I recently saw a readers comment on the 01-27-2020 DistroWatch website
regarding installing FreeBSD to a partition rather than using the whole
disk. I was having the same problem for what seemed like years. I tried
every option possible while installing and never could get the installer
to install to a single partition. Then about 6 months ago I was finally
able to find the right options to make it work.
I'm not a power user or a GURU. I just surf the web looking at different
articles and look at videos on YouTube. Here's what I did to get FreeBSD
to install to a single partition instead of using the whole disk.
Insert your install media and boot the machine.
The first install screen that comes up is the 'Stall or Shell' screen.
Select 'Shell' to format your partition and hit enter.
At the prompt enter '#newfs -U -O2 /dev/ada0px'. This formats the partition
with the UFS filesystem. Enter 'exit' to exit. Now select 'install'.
The next 3 screens are different preferences for your install.
***** This is where you are able to select a partition to install in. *****
Partitioning screen --- Select 'Auto UFS' and hit OK.
Next Partitioning screen --- Select your disk and hit OK.
Partition screen --- Select partition and hit enter.
Warning screen comes up --- Select editor.
Partition Editor screen --- Use down arrow to select partition to install
to. Use the left arrow to bump over to the 'Modify' option. Hit enter.
Edit Partition screen --- Use the Tab key and the down arrow to get to the
'mountpoint' line. Enter /. Select and hit OK. Select and hit 'Finish' option.
Conformation screen --- Hit 'Commit' option.
Warning screen --- Preexisting filesystem exists. Select and hit 'Yes'.
Installing to your selected partition will now begin.
I found the following web sites to help finish installing FreeBSD.
A couple are old but still helpful.
http://georgesfocant.blogspot.com/2014/06/procedure-for-installing-kde-4-and-kdm.html
http://daemon-notes.com/articles/desktop/kde/install
https://wiki.freebsd.org/Graphics#Hardware_Support
