[SOLVED] Hwclock error 70 preventing install

[Cooks]

Have a weird problem happening at install.
Getting an 'Installation Failed. Cannot set hardware clock. hwclock terminated with exit code 70. '
I downloaded the iso twice.
I use dd command to make usb stick.
Everything boots up and the liveuser comes up. Install walks me through but fails when it's doing the post installation tasks at tail end of install routine.

[erikdubois]

We have had one similar report on the old forum.
I am copy/pasting the answer from Nailed, our former moderator.

My first instinct is to doubt the installation media. Did you verify the image checksum and follow the recommended methods of creating the bootable media as outlined in https://archmerge.com/download/?

Did you try to re-download and write to USB?

I have also read that working with a dvd is a problem. Burn the iso to an usb. Furthermore. Not all usb are equal. I have installed a pc 3 days ago. One usb was not recognized by the system. Than I take another usb burn the iso with mintstick application on ArchMerge and it installed.
It can be an usb issue.

[Cooks]

I had found that answer also. So I did try another USB. I don't use USB makers I use dd command to write to USB. I usually run Arch but I really like what you guys are doing with the customization. Just wanted to give it a try.
I have tried setting hwclock in a terminal manually after canceling installer. I was unable to. So I am just checking that out right now. Maybe it's a bios setting or something that is preventing that.

[s3pp3ku]

I have two laptops. My HP 4530s runs Archmerge just fine. My HP Split x2 does not, and has the same error code (70) on install every time I try a Merge install on it. I've always used the exact same USB stick when writing iso's for all my distro hopping, and also always using the same dd command, and have installed successfully using the same iso/usb stick on the aforementioned laptop that does run Archmerge. It's a weird issue, sorry you're experiencing too.

[Cooks]

Mine is an HP x360 convertible. I can't get it to go. So I'm installing Arch back now. Thanks for the responses.

[erikdubois]

it is strange
when we find an answer we will post it here...
I suppose you googled already...

[erikdubois]

Hi,

Could you check on this pc you got the error on IF the date and hour in your BIOS is correct?
We imagine that might be the issue.

[Cooks]

Seems to be related to HP and how it handles internal clock. The installer script returns an error because of it and the installer fails. I tested the install by commenting out the error test in the hwclock's main. py file and managed to pass installation. Since the hwclock isn't critical to install maybe the script could be altered so that installation moves on regardless of a return of 0 or 1 from the catch.

[erikdubois]

it would be awesome if you can type here the steps you took

We just got a message from another user have same issue. There the install of 6.2.1 was a success with the changes I had made.
It must be indeed hardware related.

Looking forward to read the steps you took to fix it.

[Cooks]

Here's the steps that got me through the installer.

1. Boot up iso, then cancel the installer when it comes up.
2. Use the file manager and go to filesystem. Then get to this file following the dir tree "/lib/calamares/modules/hwclock/main.py".
3. It's this check that when setting the hardware clock with the hardwareclock module, that causes the installer to fail for some people who have HP computers. "e.returncode" is looking for "0" meaning no error. When it gets passed a "1" because hardwareclock fails to set the installer fails and you are unable to continue. The section near the end of the module code in main.py is the cause.

[/color]def run():
"""
Set hardware clock.
"""

root_mount_point = libcalamares.globalstorage.value("rootMountPoint")
try:
subprocess.check_call(["hwclock", "--systohc", "--utc"])
except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
return (
"Cannot set hardware clock.",
"hwclock terminated with exit code {}.".format(e.returncode)
)

shutil.copy2("/etc/adjtime", "{!s}/etc/".format(root_mount_point))

If you comment out (put # before these lines so the hwclock doesn't try to set) the module executes without error, even though it's really not doing anything now, and continues on allowing the installer to continue past this part of the installer. You have to open this file as su, or you cannot overwrite the file with the changes. Once you insert the #s you , save and close and restart the installer and it should install ok.

Sorry for the long post.