Attempting Custom Install | Arch Linux Community | Page 1

fringe yoke Apr 21, 2024, 2:55 PM

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I'm trying to install arch on a vm, before attempting it on my laptop. I found a few guides and read into what each command does and I'm getting stuck on one part where they describe how to create a Unified Kernel Image (UKI) but in their example, they create btrfs subvolumes and then never mount them which is weird and results in a broken btrfs implementation, because you can't use tools like TimeShift.

So I tried modifying these isntructions to mount the subvolumes, then installed Linux, and then fail to boot.

When I try to boot I get an error Failed to start Switch Root. which I'm 99% certain is because Discoverable partitions cannot find my root volume. -- I can't tell from reading online (because some sources are old and others are unclear) whether booting to a btrfs volume using Discoverable partitions in a UKI is supported.

My overall goals for this install were:

luks2 encrypted volume auto-unlocked with TPM2
secure boot enabled for a signed bootloader (which I have read people have issues with after kernel updates, requiring them to re-sign their bootloader each time) (Is it even recommended to attempt secure boot with UKI?)
btrfs w/ subvolumes so I can easily rollback if an update cooks my system

Has anyone had success doing something similar? I'm not die-hard for UKI, I'd go with Grub if I knew I should.

This was the initial guide I followed which didn't mount its btrfs subvolumes https://www.walian.co.uk/arch-install-with-secure-boot-btrfs-tpm2-luks-encryption-unified-kernel-images.html

has anyone had success doing so in a maintainable fashion? I'd like my laptop to not have a fragile install if possible.

Arch Install with Secure Boot, btrfs, TPM2 LUKS encryption, Unified...

This is a twist on my current Arch install method. This install will result in a very clean base install using btrfs for a filesystem, mkinitcpio...

restive stump Apr 21, 2024, 2:56 PM

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.aw installation

graceful tangleBOT Apr 21, 2024, 2:56 PM

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restive stump .aw installation

Installation

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation

fringe yoke Apr 21, 2024, 2:58 PM

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Thank you. You may want to fix your bot to point to https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide instead of https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation

My question is not "how do I install arch" -- it is "how should I install arch"?
Should I use UKI if I want secure boot?
Should I abandon UKI in favor of Grub?

restive stump Apr 21, 2024, 3:00 PM

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Reading the Arch Wiki is how I made my Arch install. It has everything you need.

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BTRFS, BTRFS Compression, Encryption, chroot, etc.

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Its all there

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Also, I'm sorry if I sound rude BTW.

fringe yoke Apr 21, 2024, 3:16 PM

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Nah it's ok. I get that you have many, many people coming through here asking you to install arch for them instead of asking real questions.

I'm really not trying to be a help vampire here. I've read the install wiki and some things still go over my head after having worked with linux for years.
Day to day, I'm fine with but installation and the 2-7 different tools for each task and their weighted pros/cons really goes over my head.

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I'll pick this up on the wiki but I guess will come back here if I get lost, again?

rancid atlas Apr 21, 2024, 3:23 PM

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You could also consider using systemd-boot instead of GRUB for your bootloader, if UKI doesn't work out

restive stump Apr 21, 2024, 4:05 PM

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@fringe yoke when you finish making the install in the vm, you can take it out to fully use

#Attempting Custom Install