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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?

Hello surely you have realized your error by this time but for anyone else that makes the same mistake here is the root problem and the solution.

OP you have 3 partitions set up but failed to mount /dev/sda1 to the /boot folder. If anyone else makes this mistake simply add your missing partition and rerun the necessary commands again.

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot

genfstab -U -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

arch-chroot /mnt

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

exit, unmount and reboot.

I hope this was straight forward and helpful. Best rearguards.