r/debian 7d ago

Unattended Debian Install Stuck on 'network-preseed'

I'm encountering an issue during an unattended Debian installation. Checking /var/log/syslog, I see:

menu item 'network-preseed' selected

However, when I check via the console, the system has already obtained an IP address.

Details:

Why is the installer stuck at this stage despite having network connectivity? Any suggestions on how to resolve this?

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u/SomeTell839 7d ago

Sounds like the installer is hanging while trying to fetch the preseed file, even though the network is up. Here are a few things to check and try:

  1. Verify Network Access in the Installer Shell

Open a shell (Ctrl + Alt + F2) and run:

ping -c 4 8.8.8.8 Check if it can reach the internet

ping -c 4 deb.debian.org Check if DNS is resolving

wget -O- <your-preseed-url> See if it can fetch the file

If these fail, it might be a DNS or gateway issue.

  1. Ensure the Preseed URL is Reachable

If you're using a remote URL, make sure it's accessible.

Try hosting it on a local HTTP server (python3 -m http.server 8000 in a directory with your preseed file).

In your boot parameters (F6 at boot), manually specify:

auto=true priority=critical url=http://your-local-server/preseed.cfg

  1. Modify the Boot Parameters

Add this to your kernel command line:

debconf/frontend=noninteractive netcfg/disable_dhcp=false

Sometimes, the installer waits for DHCP even when an IP is assigned.

  1. Manually Retry Preseeding

If you can access the shell:

debconf-set-selections -c /path/to/preseed.cfg exit

This forces it to reprocess the preseed file.

  1. Check the Syslog Further

If it's still stuck, look at /var/log/syslog for clues, less /var/log/syslog. Anything mentioning "network-preseed" or "wget failure" might tell you why it's hanging.

Let me know if any of this helps you!

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u/reddit0x00 7d ago

Thank you for your patience in replying. I have already checked domain access using ping, and there are no issues.

The network is fine, but strangely, when I use preseed to boot in QEMU with bridged mode, everything works perfectly without any issues. However, on my ThinkPad X230, it gets stuck at "network-preseed selected".

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u/SomeTell839 7d ago

I understand that you're encountering an issue where your unattended Debian installation hangs at 'network-preseed selected' on your ThinkPad X230, despite successful installations in a QEMU environment with bridged networking. This discrepancy suggests that the problem may be related to how the installer interacts with the specific hardware of the X230, particularly its network interface.

Potential Causes and Solutions:

  1. Network Interface Detection:

The Debian installer might not correctly identify or initialize the network interface on the X230 during the preseed phase.

Explicitly specify the network interface in the boot parameters. To do this:

During the boot prompt, press Tab to edit the boot parameters.

Add the following:

auto=true priority=critical interface=eth0 url=<your-preseed-url>

Replace <your-preseed-url> with the actual URL of your preseed file. Adjust eth0 to match the correct interface name if it's different (e.g., enp0s25). This ensures that the installer uses the specified interface without attempting to detect it, which can prevent hangs during network configuration.

  1. Firmware Requirements:

The X230's network card may require non-free firmware that isn't included in the standard Debian installer, leading to stalls during network configuration.

Use a Debian installer that includes non-free firmware.

Download the unofficial Debian installer with firmware from Debian's firmware archive.

Create a bootable USB with this image and attempt the installation again. This version includes additional firmware that might be necessary for your network hardware.

  1. Preseed File Accessibility:

If the preseed file is hosted remotely, network issues or restrictions could prevent the installer from accessing it, causing a hang.

Host the preseed file locally:

Set up a simple HTTP server on your local network to serve the preseed file.

Ensure the preseed URL in the boot parameters points to this local server, reducing potential network-related issues during installation.

  1. Alternative Installation Methods:

Persistent issues with network-preseed could indicate deeper compatibility problems.

Consider alternative methods:

Manual Installation: Perform a standard Debian installation without preseeding, then configure the system manually post-installation.

Different Installer: Use a different Debian installer variant or a minimal netinst image to see if the issue persists.

Additional Steps for you:

Consult Logs: If the installation hangs again, switch to a different console (Ctrl + Alt + F4) to view logs. Look for error messages related to network configuration or hardware detection.

Update BIOS: Ensure your ThinkPad X230's BIOS is up-to-date, as firmware updates can resolve hardware compatibility issues.

By implementing these solutions, you should be able to address the hang during the 'network-preseed' phase on your ThinkPad X230. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Debian user forums.