"Couldn't get size: 0x800000000000000e" when trying to install Ubuntu 18.04 from a USB key

Question

I recently got a new computer and I have been trying to get a dual boot Windows/Ubuntu to work, so I got Ubuntu on a USB key( using Rufus as recommended in the Ubuntu page) but when I try to boot from the USB key and select Try Ubuntu without installing, I get the following error (and some variations of it)

Couldn't get size: 0x8000000000000e

BusyBox v1.27.2 (ubuntu 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.2) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

(initramfs) mount: mounting /cow on /root failed: invalid argument
overlay mount failed

I have tried with to different usb keys, and also disabling secure boot and fast boot.

After trying with nomodeset as recommended by sudodus, I get the following:

[    9.028870] Couldn't get size: 0x8000000000000e
[   13.311279] overlayfs: unrecognized mount option "lowerdir=" or missing value
BusyBox v1.27.2 (ubuntu 1:1.27.2-2ubuntu3.2) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.
(initramfs) mount: mounting /cow on /root failed: invalid argument
overlay mount failed

I also have seen so post where people with a similar problem solved it by installing the appropriate GPU driver, but in that case the problem was after installing and rebooting, in my case I don't even get to install (or try it). Some info about the computer in case is relevant:

Asus FX505GD_FX505GD Intel i5-8300H 2.30Ghz Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 4GB

The original OS was Microsoft Windows 10 Home

I'm happy to provide any other information, but I don't know what to look at.

Update: Following the answer of Akeo, I remove the persistence from the USB key and finally I manage to get into the try version of Ubuntu, but another problem appeared when I turned off Ubuntu ( from the try version, It was a bit late so I decided to install it later the next day). It took a long while ( about 3 min.) for the desktop to disappear (in the mean time it was frozen). When if finally disappeared I found this message(which again contains the Couldn't get size error):

and it continues:

This makes me worried about installing it from this USB key.

On second thought, I think it is due to the nvidia graphics chip. Please add the boot option nomodeset. If still problems, Please check with md5sum, that the downloaded iso file is correct. — sudodus, Sep 23 '19 at 19:27
@sudodus Thanks, I already check the ISO after the second time I tried to install it. I will try now with nomodeset. — themaker, Sep 23 '19 at 19:30
@sudodus I tried with nomodeset, but it didn't work. I updated the question with the results. — themaker, Sep 23 '19 at 19:51
You mention Ubuntu 18.04. Is it 18.04.3 or 'only' 18.04 which is older? Your nvidia chip will probably work better with a newer linux kernel and drivers for new hardware, so 18.04.3 has a better chance. You could even try the not yet released Ubuntu Eoan, to be released as 19.10 next month with an even newer linux kernel. See this link — sudodus, Sep 23 '19 at 19:52
@sudodus sorry, I forgot to mention it. It is in fact 18.04.3. — themaker, Sep 23 '19 at 19:54
You can try the Eoan daily build from the link at the end of my previous comment. Good luck :-) — sudodus, Sep 23 '19 at 19:57
@sudodus Ok, I'll try that, somehow I missed that part of the message the first time I read it. Thanks a lot for your help. :) — themaker, Sep 23 '19 at 20:07

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 23 '19 at 21:55

mount: mounting /cow on /root failed: invalid argument is what you typically get if you enabled persistence in Rufus (i.e. you set a persistent partition size that isn't zero) and are working with an ISO where Ubuntu/casper bug #1489855 has not been patched (which pretty much means every version of Ubuntu except the very latest 19.10).

If you want to use persistence with Ubuntu through a persistent partition that resides on the same media as the one you boot from, you must make sure that you use a version of Ubuntu where bug #1489855 has been fixed, which, right now, is only the case when using a daily-live ISO of 19.10 released after August 1st. I am not aware of any pre 19.10 ISO that includes the casper bugfix. Especially 18.04.03 will not work with a persistent partition because of the casper bug above.

Otherwise, either make sure that you set the persistent partition size to 0 in Rufus (no persistence) or use DD mode when prompted.

Thanks a lot, that definetely solved the original problem. Although I encountered a new one when I turn it off. I updated the answer with the problem( or maybe I should start a new question?). — themaker, Sep 23 '19 at 22:36

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 07 '19 at 08:08

Although is already marked as answered, I think this other option could be useful for people.

I had the same problem,Couldn't get size: 0x8000000000000e when trying to install ubuntu 18.04.3 alongside windows 10.

I made it work just using an ISO for ubuntu 18.04.1.

Hope this helps.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 03 '20 at 05:07

I was having the same problem, but before talking about the solution let me explain the hardware configuration of my system - I have single SSD of 512 GB, nothing else

Here is what I did, go to system boot. Provide the password, now change the mode to AHCI mode in the boot.

That's what worked for me, I hope this help.

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 10 '20 at 04:13

These worked for me (Motherboard ASUS ROG X570-E, trying to install dual boot Linux Mint 19.3 on an existing Windows 10 Pro):

In BIOS set up, I made the following changes:

Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module configuration). Set "Boot Device control" to UEFI and Legacy OPROM, and "Boot from Storage Devices" to UEFI only.
Under Boot/Secure Boot, change OS type from "Windows UEFI mode" to "Other OS".

Hope this works for someone. Although it was tested on Linux Mint, it may work for Ubuntu as well.

"Couldn't get size: 0x800000000000000e" when trying to install Ubuntu 18.04 from a USB key

4 Answers4

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