I've been trying to install Arch Linux for the past four days without success. Having used Windows for as long as I can remember, I decided to switch to Arch for various reasons. However, after completing the installation steps, I'm unable to log in and instead get thrown back to the BIOS settings. I've double-checked my BIOS settings, and they seem fine. I've followed several tutorials and the Arch Wiki but no luck. Here's what I usually do: I partition my drive with gdisk (/dev/sda), create an EFI partition, swap, and root, then format them correctly. I then mount everything, run the installation commands, and install GRUB. After unmounting, when I reboot, I'm sent straight back to BIOS. Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
It sounds like going straight to Arch might have been a bit ambitious. If it's your first time, I'd recommend trying a more beginner-friendly distro like Mint. Once you're comfortable, then you can give Arch a shot. But hey, if you're determined to stick with Arch, good luck!
I noticed you mounted your EFI partition at /mnt/boot/efi, but some people have found that using just /mnt/boot works better. It's a shot in the dark, but maybe give it a try?
Yeah, I’ve heard that /mnt/efi can also work for some. Seems like the target for GRUB needs to match how you mount it.
You mentioned you created the directory for the EFI partition, but make sure you've correctly referenced the wiki or documentation that guided you. Getting these steps right is crucial for GRUB to function properly. You might also want to check the installation of GRUB itself and see if the files are actually where they should be.
If you keep getting booted back to the Windows bootloader, it's crucial to verify if GRUB is installed correctly. Check the files in your boot directory. If GRUB is missing, you might need to manually enroll the .efi file in your BIOS settings.
Sometimes during manual installations, the EFI partition can get misconfigured. Ensure the partition is mounted correctly, as it affects how GRUB is installed. If you’re having trouble, consider using the archinstall script for a guided setup—it simplifies the process significantly.
Totally agree, Mint is a great way to get your feet wet before diving into Arch. You got this!