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I've been trying to install archlinux on xps one. the screen doesn't work because it has intel g45/g43 express chipset. I had to use nomodeset option as mentioned in the installation guide. Arch somewhat booted but i get an error:

:: Mounting '/dev/disk/by-label/ARCH_201212' to '/run/archiso/bootmnt'
Waiting 30 seconds for device /dev/disk/by-label/ARCH_201212 ...
ERROR: '/dev/disk/by-label/ARCH_201212' device not show up after 30 seconds.
..
   Falling back to interactive prompt
   You can try to fix the problem manually, log out when  you are finished
sh: can't access tty; job control turned off
(had to write it by hand)

none off the commands in the installation manual worked. including parted and fdisk. the commands are just missing. the interesting thing is that archbang booted.

My main question is how do i get into arch's installation environmental so i have commands like parted.

It might help me if I can find out what environment i'm in. for example, less, mount works but more doesn't.

PS: i tried to post it on arch forums but the registration process is broken.

Update (1) i tried to chroot https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Install_from_Existing_Linux#Method_2:_Chroot_into_LiveCD-image but 

sh: unaquashfs: not found

Update (2) if during boot menu. i prress Tab, i get:

> /linux boot/x86_64/vmlinuz archisobasedir=arch archisolabel=ARCH_201212 initrd=boot/x86_64/archiso.img

to get to command prompt, i have to add nomodeset

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The commands don't work because it can't find your installation medium and falls back to a ramdisk. Did you change the install medium's filesystem label? – Chris Down Dec 12 '12 at 23:05
@ChrisDown no, didn't change anything. i'm not sure where i cal look it up – kirill_igum Dec 12 '12 at 23:23
@ChrisDown Is there any place where I can find out what correct labels I should use? – kirill_igum Dec 12 '12 at 23:25
How did you create the installation medium? – user1271422 Dec 15 '12 at 16:50

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

First, check this post: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=142473

They mention something about specifying the wrong device when creating the disk. In particular, maybe you used /dev/sdx1 instead of /dev/sdx

If that doesn't help, I suggest you try the two options to create the live USB they give in their wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/USB_Installation_Media

Then, if it keeps failing, try Unetbootin to generate the bootable USB.

If you still can't make it work, try either using ArchBang (fastest option), the Netboot image, or an older snapshot of Arch (not too old, or it won't have systemd).

Finally, if all of the above failed, cry yourself to sleep and install another distribution when you wake up :)

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thanks for the informative answer. makes sense. for now i chose the last option and got vista. at some point i'll try to dual-boot arch . – kirill_igum Dec 17 '12 at 17:36

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