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Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2013 07:51:30 -0700 (MST)
From: Warren Block <wblock@wonkity.com>
To: "Mike." <the.lists@mgm51.com>
Subject: Re: 9.1 won't install - GEOM/GRAID issues
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On Tue, 8 Jan 2013, Mike. wrote:

> On 1/2/2013 at 12:11 PM Fbsd8 wrote:
>
> I tried to run the dd commands...
>
> Using the LiveFS disc for FreeBSD 9.1, I got some manner of permission
> error, indicating that something would not let the dd commands execute.
> Using the LiveFS disc for FreeBSD 8.3, the dd commands completely
> successfully.
>
> After zero-ing out the sectors, I tried to install FreeBSD 9.1, and I
> continued to get the RAID problems trying to mount root.
>
> So I punted that drive, and used another drive.   FreeBSD 9.1 installed
> without an issue, and it is running fine as I type this.
>
> So there is something about that other disk drive (something that is
> not in the last two sectors or the first sector) that the 9.1 install
> has issues with.

RAID metadata could be larger than the last two blocks.  Even a leftover 
GPT backup table is 34 blocks by default.  If the drive is still 
attached to the controller that put the metadata there, it may hide 
those blocks from the user.  The RAID BIOS menus or graid(8) may be 
needed to clear the metadata in that case.  Or move the drive to another 
controller that will not recognize the old metadata.