NixOS / NixOS/nixpkgs

nixos/memtest86: Does not function with non-default ESP mount point.

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#444,841 3 comments 3 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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0.kind: bug 2.status: stale 6.topic: nixos
Dominant language
Nix
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Description

Nixpkgs version
  • Stable (25.05)
Describe the bug

The menu entry added by boot.loader.grub.memtest86.enable does not function when boot.loader.efi.efiSysMountPoint is set to a non-default location, such as /boot/efi.

Steps to reproduce
  • Set these options:
boot.loader.grub.enable = true;
boot.loader.efi.efiSysMountPoint = "/boot/efi";
boot.loader.grub.memtest86.enable = true;
  • Do a nixos-rebuild build-vm-with-bootloader on the above configuration.
  • Select the memtest86+ entry in the boot menu.
  • Observe error: file '/boot/memtest86.bin' not found.
Expected behaviour

The menu entry should successfully run memtest86.

Screenshots

No response

Relevant log output

Additional context

No response

System metadata
  • system: "x86_64-linux"
  • host os: Linux 6.12.34, NixOS, 25.05 (Warbler), 25.05.20250625.7284e2d
  • multi-user?: yes
  • sandbox: yes
  • version: nix-env (Nix) 2.28.3
  • nixpkgs: /nix/store/rf07lvgmjakj2mnwbd99n2bdd76sjvps-source
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Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by tracing the implementation of boot.loader.grub.memtest86.enable and how it uses boot.loader.efi.efiSysMountPoint. Reproduce the issue with nixos-rebuild build-vm-with-bootloader and the listed options; done means selecting the memtest86+ entry successfully runs memtest86 when the ESP is mounted at /boot/efi.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
linux
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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