Arch Linux ARM install/Dockstar - Using a Harddrive?

[tno]

Hi everyone,

I ordered a Dockstar today. Now I have a probably stupid question: Can I install Arch Linux ARM install on the hard drive that connects into the dock instead of using a USB thumb drive?
From the top of my head I see no reason why this should not work: I expect the first partition of the hard drive to be addressed as /dev/sda1 just like any (first) partition on a thumb drive. Right?
Also, having multiple partitions shouldn't be a problem either, right?

That would have several advantages:
- No thumb drive that breaks the usb port because of physical force applied by clumsy people (like me).
- I can use a swap partition without worrying about too many write cycles destroying my media.
- The hard drive is probably faster than any thumb drive I own.

Is there any reason why this might not work, or am I simply too paranoid? I have not worked with devices that could be "bricked" before.

Thanks for reading
tno

[ndrake]

I recall reading somewhere that using a harddrive might not work because it wouldn't have spun up and been ready to access before the boot loader gives up trying to boot from USB.

[tylernt]

Yes, using a HD in the dock slot should work.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ndrake', 'I') recall reading somewhere that using a harddrive might not work because it wouldn't have spun up and been ready to access before the boot loader gives up trying to boot from USB.

[DePingus]

I have an external 3.5" HDD in an enclosure connected via USB. The drive enclosure takes power from the wall. It also has its own power switch. I can turn on the enclosure which spins up the HDD before booting up the Dockstar.

[tno]

Thank you for all your answers. I really appreciate it.
So as long as I set the bootdelay variable to a reasonable amount of time like 15 or 20 seconds, I should be fine?

Let's assume I use the installation script to install Arch Linux ARM install on the hard drive. If that doesn't work out for any reason, can I use the same script again to install it on a flash drive or does the script expect an unmodified boot environment (aka original dockstar u-boot) ?

[blurry]

I had mixed success with the bootloader script. It seemed to work half the time, and still had issues if other devices were connected, e.g. a USB DVD drive.

After installing Jeff Doozan's replacement u-boot firmware, no issues. http://jeff.doozan.com/debian/uboot/

[jgirot]

I'm running debian on mine on a WD Elements USB harddrive. Sometimes I have to 'usb reset' in u-boot, but usually it's not a problem. Never had a problem with the kernel panicking because it couldn't find the root device though. I usually leave it up for extended time periods. So not a lot of reboots. About the partitions, I think I have 5 or 6 on one drive no problem. Having swap is good, but not necessary. My guy has been up for 3 days and has 16MB used in swap, but this is also my Mythtv backend. I just restarted MySQL and I'm at ~4MB used in swap.

I say go for it!

[kmihelich]

I have 3 docks running with Seagate Go drives in the top dock, I have not experienced any problems booting from them. In fact, they're all that's plugged into their respective dock.

[pepedog]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kmihelich', 'I') have 3 docks running with Seagate Go drives in the top dock, I have not experienced any problems booting from them. In fact, they're all that's plugged into their respective dock.

[Grenti]

How do you set a boot delay in uboot. It's really difficult to boot off of my external hdd. I have to get the timing just right and it's annoying and difficult. Also, how can you ssh when all usb devices are unplugged and I turn on the DockStar. All I get is an orange blinking light.