[SOLVED] Installing Windows 11 on LVM USB key.

[Th3ddy]

Hello everyone,

I have a server where PROXMOX 8.3.3 is installed. On this server, I have a USB 3.0 LVM key 512Gb. Is it possible to install Windows 11 on this USB key using it as a SCSI disk in the dedicated VM?

If this is possible, how would you do this?

Thanks in advance

 

[waltar]

I have a USB 3.0 LVM key 512Gb.

What's that with a LVM key ?? I assume you mean a USB 3.0 stick or disk with size of 512 GB right ?
Then just define the USB device in datacenter storage as a new lvm (do not integrate into running os lvm !!) or (first make a filesystem on) and define as directory storage. After that you can create a vm with the USB device as lvm or dir selected.
But be aware - the vm must be shutdown AND if lvm the defined lvm vg must be removed or if dir the filesystem must be unmounted BEFORE physically removing the USB device from pve host !!!

 

[Th3ddy]

First of all, thank you for your quick response.

Indeed, I am talking about a USB key physically connected to my Proxmox server. As you can see in the images below:

However, despite following different tutorials or youtube videos to create a Windows 11 VM on this USB key, I encounter the following problem:

I manage to start the VM via the console, I install the virtio drivers and when copying files and installing windows... It takes an extremely long time. 1% every 10 minutes. When you reach around 10% or 12%, nothing happens, no more progress in the installation. I tried different VM configurations but still the same problem.

Do you have any idea?

 

[waltar]

What are the following cmd's shown "pvs ; vgs ; lvs" ?
You are aware to usage of vgchange to your usb device ?
Why just not use a filesystem like ext4/xfs on the USB device ?

 

[Th3ddy]

What are the following cmd's shown "pvs ; vgs ; lvs" ?
You are aware to usage of vgchange to your usb device ?
Why just not use a filesystem like ext4/xfs on the USB device ?

Here is the result of the commands:

I am ready to use the proper file system to run this VM with windows 11 on my USB stick.

If you have any advice I would gladly follow it. Thanks in advance

 

[Kingneutron]

Yeah that's not gonna be sustainable, the slow-ass I/O to the drive already is your clue here. You need an external SSD

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4KQ6ZWL?ie=UTF8&th=1

512 looks like it sold out quick with the recent sale, but 1TB should be available. Less expensive than a Samsung T7

TBW rating is unknown, but I'm running 2x 2018 Intel Macs off of 1TB Beetles with no major issues.

 

[Th3ddy]

Yeah that's not gonna be sustainable, the slow-ass I/O to the drive already is your clue here. You need an external SSD

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4KQ6ZWL?ie=UTF8&th=1

512 looks like it sold out quick with the recent sale, but 1TB should be available. Less expensive than a Samsung T7

TBW rating is unknown, but I'm running 2x 2018 Intel Macs off of 1TB Beetles with no major issues.

So the problem would come from the slow reading/writing of the USB key?

 

[_gabriel]

the problem would come from the slow reading/writing of the USB key?

of course

 

[Th3ddy]

Thank you all for your help and feedback. I will buy an ssd and come back to close this post after testing.

 

[Th3ddy]

Hello again everyone...

I received my new Portable SSD 1To:

https://www.orico.cc/usmobile/product/detail/id/15200.html

Now my problem is this.. I create my windows VM, and at the time of installation it never finds my disk. IDE, SATA, SCSI... With Virtio drivers on a CDROM media... Nothing works... Windows never finds the installation disk.

Proxmox recognized it immediately without any problem.

Do you have any idea?

 

[_gabriel]

post VM hardware configuration
content of vmid.conf
and please into CODE tags

 

[Th3ddy]

Thanks for the follow up. Below is the VM configuration:

As I control the server with my phone it is not easy to copy and paste the code.

Below when choosing the disk for Windows installation:

Driver selection:

We see that it found the driver and when installing it here is the result:

 

[_gabriel]

try with vanilla Windows iso

edit:

never finds my disk. IDE, SATA, SCSI

after re-read, no virtio iso drivers required if you use SATA.
retry with only one CD/DVD drive entry with the Windows iso.
try with CD/DVD drive as SATA instead ide type too.

 

[Th3ddy]

_gabriel, Thank you very much for your help. The solutions that have been provided to me since my first request have allowed me to make my VM work with Windows 11. Thank you for your time and experience. See you soon for new adventures

 

[_gabriel]

écrire ce que tu as fait pour résoudre ton problème serait un plus grand remerciement.

 

[Th3ddy]

Wooo nice your message in my language.. I'm French!

Following my first problem, I followed the advice and bought a portable SSD to have better writing and reading speeds than on a simple USB key.

Then my second problem was either a problem with my windows .iso image, or the media where my .iso was located. Which was a USB stick.

Merci Beaucoup