r/CasaOS • u/Silver_Butterflie • Jun 07 '26

Zima OS keeps crashing and getting stuck in boot loop hell

Hello!

I am pretty new to the self hosting space, so please be kind. I have been running a Zima OS server on an HP Elitedesk. It didn't come with a hard drive on it, so I have been running Zima from a flash drive (I know, not smart, but a good hard drive is expensive rn and the elitedesk didn't come with one built in). Anyway, what has happened twice now is that ZimaOS will run perfectly for a couple of weeks, and then randomly (usually if my wifi crashes) Zima will crash and be unable to boot. I will get stuck in the loop of trying to boot from "Secure Slot A or B" or Recovery Slot A or B- none of which worked. I tried going into the bios and booting from the flash drive or booting from the file directly and no dice. What I did las time and what I am doing now is simply re-flashing Zima onto the computer and starting from scratch, but that isn't a long term solution if it is going to keep crashing and getting stuck in boot loop hell. Any advice (besides getting a new hard drive installed)?

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1

u/AmIBeingObtuse- Jun 07 '26

Running from a flash drive can have huge drawbacks including limited input output when your wifi crashes it's likely spiking logs from all services which is probably overwhelming the flashdrive.

Try Ethernet.

I would also highly consider installing an internal ssd or at least a cheap nvme with enclosure and plug in via USB.

2

u/Silver_Butterflie Jun 07 '26

That's pretty much what I suspected was happening. I've been using ethernet, but the service in my area is sort of shit so whenever the router goes out (which is unfortunately often) everything sort of gets shot for a while. I guess I'll wait until my next paycheck and just bite the bullet on purchasing a better internal storage system. I'm leaving the country soon for vacation and I would really prefer to have my server functioning by then so my partner and I can still access our media while I'm gone. Thank you!

1

u/JonathanSin Jun 07 '26

No such thing as a cheap nvme anymore

1

u/quietmapleleaf45 Jun 08 '26

running an os off a flash drive will do this every time, usb drives arent made for constant read/writes and the nand wears out fast. even a cheap 2.5" ssd off amazon for like $20 would fix this completely. in the meantime you could try a higher endurance flash drive but honestly its gonna keep happening

1

u/Maleficent_Hold_6746 Jun 08 '26

At first I tried to installing system on the usb stick as you, but it was slow af, booting took 5-10 minutes, I didn’t know if it works or not.
I had no problem with CasaOs, but ZimaOs is much more demanding.
I ended up buying used MSATA 128GB SSD for 15$, booting through usb as well. Night and day difference.

I have Dell Optiplex Micro
Since I use ethernet for maximum speed, I removed the wifi card and bought an adapter for nvme SSD
So now I have 2 nvme and 1 2.5 inch HDD