"Software selection" step failure during Ubuntu 16.04 server installation

Question

I am installing Ubuntu 16.04 server on a new HPE ML150 hardware. After the installation finishes copying files it prompts for installing additional software.

What ever I choose at this step, the installation reports failure and prompts me to choose which step of installation to continue from.

Note that I was installing from a USB which I created using Startup Disk Creator in Ubuntu desktop.

Looking at the virtual terminal during this step, it seems that it is trying to get the packages from the CD-ROM rather from the internet. I assume that the internet connection works because in a previous step where it tries to figure the timezone by connecting on a timeserver, works fine.

Solution

• Press Alt+F2 to enter the BusyBox shell

• Change directory to /target/etc/apt:

  cd /target/etc/apt
  

• Copy sources.list.apt-setup to sources.list:

  cp sources.list.apt-setup sources.list
  

• Edit sources.list:

  nano sources.list
  

  Comment out the line beginning with deb cdrom so it looks like this:

  # deb cdrom:[Ubuntu-...
  

• Upgrade packages:

  chroot /target apt-get update
  chroot /target apt-get upgrade
  

• Press Alt+F1 to return to the installer, and start Software Selection

Comments

[guntbert]

Please show us the error message too!

[guntbert]

To see the real reason it often helps to switch to the one virtual terminal that contains the logs - try <ALT><LEFT> as often as needed.

[Demetris]

You are right. Tomorrow when I have access to the server. It will a picture though!

[Demetris]

I have added the failing screen of the installation.

[dessert]

Welcome to Ask Ubuntu! Whilst this may answer the question it is not quite clear what those commands do. Please elaborate your answer adding explanations.

[Demetris]

@klaus. As I cannot test this (the server is up and working) I am not able to accept your answer yet. If anyone has this problem and this answer solves it, please comment here so I can accept this answer.

[hinneLinks]

@Demetris this worked for me. Also, the line to comment out is deb cdrom:[Ubuntu-Server.... One can use ´nano´ to edit the file (ctrk+o to save, ctrl+x to exit).

[John McGehee]

I thought I was dead until I tried your solution. It worked great. I edited your answer to correct a file name and add the exact commands for newbies, but your answer is pure gold! Thank you so much!

[John McGehee]

I suspect it might be better to move the deb cdrom line to the end of the file rather than deleting it entirely. This way packages that exist only on the install disk can be found.

[droid-zilla]

the cp command did not work for me in busybox. Got a "read only file system" error.