kernel configuration menu

P

Pfarthing6

Hi,

I'm just returning to FreeBSD after a long time in Windows/Linux land. Trying to setup 8 stable and something important seems to be missing: the Kernel Configuration Menu

In the good old days, just after booting the CD (ha, NOT DVD), the Kernel Configuration Menu would come up and allow you to de/select options.

Now, in a perfect world, where every device is supported out of the box, you wouldn't need such a critter, but times then, as now, ain't perfect.

So, I'm stuck. I'm trying to install to a fresh system and, from what I've researched, the default loaded hptrr driver is glomming on to my drives in a big way and it's simply not compatible. It's been recommended to "build a new kernel", OK, sure, on what? And when I get it build, how do I get a 10MB+ kernel into the system with the CD?

If the Kernel Configuration Menu was available, I'd just be able to disable that module and away I'd go. But now I have to jump through a bunch of hoops to make this happen.

Well, currently, I've installed VMWARE and I'm building a kernel on that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the boot DVD will recognize my USB drive and that when I'm in the boot loader, I'll be able to tell the system to use my custom kernel so I can do my install.

So, enough ranting, just two questions:

1) where did the Kernel Configuration Menu get to and is it possible to get it back?
2) What's the best course when the install doesn't correctly recognize a drive controller?

thanks,

- phil

ps: just to say, for those distro developers out there, if I have to spend all day getting a system to work, and another distro like Ubuntu works out of the box, and it does, there's a really good chance I'll go with that despite how much I would like to use FreeBSD ...and that might actually be the case sad to say :(
 
Pfarthing6 said:
1) where did the Kernel Configuration Menu get to and is it possible to get it back?
Click to expand...

I am using FreeBSD since 5.3 days and havent seen any 'configuration menu' for kernel.

Pfarthing6 said:
2) What's the best course when the install doesn't correctly recognize a drive controller?
Click to expand...
Submit a BUG, check newer version snapshot (STABLE/CURRENT), cooperate with developers to solve the problem on mailing lists/forums.


Pfarthing6 said:
ps: just to say, for those distro developers out there, if I have to spend all day getting a system to work, and another distro like Ubuntu works out of the box, and it does, there's a really good chance I'll go with that despite how much I would like to use FreeBSD ...and that might actually be the case sad to say :(
Click to expand...
FreeBSD is not a 'distro' mate, its an operating system, and I have some problems with Ubuntu where FreeBSD worked flawlessly, You just have problematic hardware probably, btw, what is your hardware?
 
Pfarthing6 said:
In the good old days, just after booting the CD (ha, NOT DVD), the Kernel Configuration Menu would come up and allow you to de/select options.
Click to expand...
That existed for a brief period of time in the 3.x era.

So, I'm stuck. I'm trying to install to a fresh system and, from what I've researched, the default loaded hptrr driver is glomming on to my drives in a big way and it's simply not compatible. It's been recommended to "build a new kernel", OK, sure, on what? And when I get it build, how do I get a 10MB+ kernel into the system with the CD?
Click to expand...
Perhaps you should read the handbook: 8.5 Building and Installing a Custom Kernel

If the Kernel Configuration Menu was available, I'd just be able to disable that module and away I'd go. But now I have to jump through a bunch of hoops to make this happen.
Click to expand...
Kernel configuration is easy, even without said menu.

1) where did the Kernel Configuration Menu get to and is it possible to get it back?
Click to expand...
It's gone.

ps: just to say, for those distro developers out there, if I have to spend all day getting a system to work, and another distro like Ubuntu works out of the box, and it does, there's a really good chance I'll go with that despite how much I would like to use FreeBSD ...and that might actually be the case sad to say :(
Click to expand...
As mentioned FreeBSD is not a "distro". If you want something that's pretty much set up out of the box try PC-BSD.
 
Actually the Kernel Config existed until 4.8 at least. Maybe dropped in 5?

Look, I'm trying to install here, not configure. How does one configure a kernel on a fresh system? You don't.

And for the curious, the hardware is a SuperMicro server with an MV8 SATA controller.

As MANY folks have been complaining for a while now, over a year according to other forums, the High Point hptrr driver/module is at fault here.

My custom kernel just omits it and that is the "fix" so I've been told. We'll see.

If anyone has any actual "helpful" input on the matter, please chime in. But if you're just going to pick at my statements and say "RTFM", well please don't waste your key strokes, K?
 
If you know for sure that's the driver causing the issue, then you can boot the CD, select "Drop to loader prompt" (number 6) from the boot menu, and type something along the lines of: hint.hptrr.0.disabled="1"

If there's more than one, type it multiple times, incrementing the number. And, double-check the name of the driver (I have no High Point gear here).

You'll need to do this everytime you boot off the CD, and the first time you boot off the HD. Once installed, just add that line to /boot/loader.conf to make it permanent.
 
phoenix said:
If you know for sure that's the driver causing the issue, then you can boot the CD, select "Drop to loader prompt" (number 6) from the boot menu, and type something along the lines of: hint.hptrr.0.disabled="1"

If there's more than one, type it multiple times, incrementing the number. And, double-check the name of the driver (I have no High Point gear here).

You'll need to do this everytime you boot off the CD, and the first time you boot off the HD. Once installed, just add that line to /boot/loader.conf to make it permanent.
Click to expand...

I did get to the loader and tried these two without success:
Code: 
hw.hptrr.attach_generic="0"
load_hpttr="NO"

...will try the one you suggest tomorrow.

keeping my fingers crossed!

thanks =)
 
No joy on the kernel options, I'm afraid.

Evidently this problem with hptrr and incompatible raid controllers has been around since version 7 and is still there.

I still have my custom kernel to try, but no clue how to make a boot CD disk with it so I can try it and also do an install.

System will recognize my thumb drive though and boot puppy from that. If I install to the thumb drive, is there a way to install from an installed system like that?

other suggestions?

thx
 
UPDATE: as a work around I just connected a couple drives to the onboard controller. Now I can test other kernel builds. Geeze, sometimes it takes the long road to find the simpler solution.

Will be posting in a new thread about controller issues in the appropriate areas if I run into more problems.

WEll, it's starting to get exciting!!!!
 
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