3TB GoFlex install error, fdisk error on larger than 2TB

[soonerborn]

I have got an error during install on a new goflex home 3TB

was following the guide at the goflex home here.

when trying to create new partition tables with fdisk received the following error when writing the new partitions.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'The partition table has been altered!

Calling ioctl() to re-read partition table.

WARNING: Re-reading the partition table failed with error 27: File too large.
The kernel still uses the old table.
The new table will be used at the next reboot.
Syncing disks.
')

fdisk p shows the new partitions at sda1 and sda2

nervous about losing ssh connection before getting far enough along to get boot installed.

[moonman]

Partition the drive on a regular computer. In short, the problem is the capacity of your drive. Bootloader only supports booting with MBR, MBR only supports drives up to 2TB. Hybrid MBR/GPT should work for you, as was mentioned by WarheadsSE.

Read this thread: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1953#p13343

The important part is to get the bootloader installed, after that you can partition the drive and extract the ALARM tarbal using your computer.

[soonerborn]

ok

but, I am stuck, unable to create a partition of any size because of the fdisk error. If I try to create a file system I get a drive in use error.

The link you provided was great though, I understand what I am gonna have to eventually do. I do not know how the op even got through the install. Trying to figure out a way to get gdisk on it.

maybe the fdisk error and mke2fs arent related?

[moonman]

Ok, partition and create filesystem using your computer. Then skip step 8 and 9 entirely, from step 10 only do
$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', 'cd /tmp
mkdir alarm
mount /dev/sda1 alarm')

and carry on with the steps... or use the flash drive or an external usb drive

[soonerborn]

Thanks for the fast replies.

I guess I am dense but I am not understanding how to use my computer to partition the drive when its connected to my router and I am ssh into it. Am I not screwed if I disconnect it now to hook it up to my pc? Is it as simple as just connecting it via usb to my pc and wiping the whole hard drive, partition it, then install everything as root?

[moonman]

You would have to turn the GoFlex off and take out the hard drive from its cradle. Even though the hdd is in enclosure, you can still use standard sata cable to connect it to your PC.

Then follow one of the guides on how to create Hybrid MBR. If you only use Windows, there's a binary of gdisk at sourcefourge : http://sourceforge.net/projects/gptfdis ... -binaries/

[soonerborn]

Thanks for the help.

I edited the title a bit to give more info.

Been busy and just had time to get back to this.

I used gdisk to make 4 primary partitions a 20G ext2, 980G ext4, 1 TB ext4, 1TB ext4 then I hybridized the first 2 partitions and set MBR to the first and flagged it as boot. From what I read only the first two needed (probably just the first one) to be hybrid. The last two would be read just fine once alarm booted. It was just a matter of uboot not being able to hand GPT. I did set both Hybrid partitions to hex code 83, honestly I didnt even check on that, I just assumed.

I got through the install and rebooted the GoFlex but it just sets there and blinks. It won't connect to the router. I didn't get any installation errors at all, and I restarted from the top and just omitted the steps per your previous tip. I am going to go research this, dunno if its bricked or what.

Edit: One thing I do remember now from the install. The sync was near instantaneous, I expected that to take a few seconds at least?

You would think that as much as you pay for one of these they would include some not so shitty software so that you wouldn't have to resort to stuff like this just to use it if by chance every thing else in your house with a chip is running linux.

[moonman]

Well, it looks like it's time for netconsole for u-boot.
http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5 ... oflex-home under advanced tab.

My installation on GoFLex didn't fo as smooth as expected as well. We'll get it sorted out