Booting the exam environment stuck after showing 100%

[dimikhan]

I have created the bootable usb and able to boot my lenovo thinkpad with that. I had to turn off the secure boot option from BIOS to be able to boot. But while loading the exam environment it gets stuck at the end. I can see the big redhat icon in the middle of the screen and 100% loading status at the top-right corner. But can not move from this screen. No setting page comes as it mentioned in the exam preparation document.

[Keerthy]

Wi-Fi drivers not detected means that the device(hardware) is not recognizable. It might be a hardware incompatibility issue. 

Kindly try connecting to LAN/wired connection if available. 

We have the new version of ISO released, you may test this if it is not the one which you have downloaded already.

 https://static.redhat.com/downloads/training-certification/rhrexboot.iso

[PetrCihlar]

Hi Keerthy. I tested the new ISO with Macbook Pro 2018 and 2019 and the keyboard and touchpad were still not supported. I am afraid it will be the same for the wifi card. Though the new ISO supports wider range of computers, it did not bring better support for Apple computers, I am afraid

[piyushgaur123]

It works with LAN. I am using the new ISO only. It doesn't detect the touchpad as well as keyboard. 

[PetrCihlar]

You are experiencing the known issues and you did it right.
You removed security and enabled USB booting by Apple startup utility and you booted.
Your internal keyboard, touchpad, and wifi were not recognized
You can use this computer still but all your devices have to be connected externally using USB adapters and hubs. You need to have an external keyboard, mouse, network card, camera, and monitor. Hopefully, the microphone will work from the camera.
The only issue may be the USB adapters. If it is a multiport adapter running over Thunderbold protocol, it will not be fully supported and reliable for the exam. You need to have simple, ordinary USBc to USBa adapters and a pure USB hub. It is doable, but it is hard as you need to have all those adapters. I am using Macs also daily for 30+ years (no kidding, started with Powerbook 145c and Apple Macintosh LC3, but I would grab and use some older Lenovo or Dell laptop to take the exam. 

[Betz_]

If the mouse and/or Keyboard is wireless that will not work. I had to use a
very particular laptop that I purchased just for the exam in order. Which I
can link down below. All-in-all it is a tricky environment to set up but we
do what we must in these trying times.


This is the laptop I used for the exam and it worked without any issues. A
RHCE I know also ordered this laptop for the RHCSA and RHCE exam without
any error. Hope this helps. If I can recall correctly, you will also need
some sort of USB attachment to supply additional USB ports. Dont quote me
on this but I'm pretty sure I needed one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQX3H1D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[piyushgaur123]

Can we use wireless mouse in the exam? I don't have a wired one. 

[Keerthy]

Hello @piyushgaur123 

Only a wired mouse is allowed.

[piyushgaur123]

I will try to find one. But is it allowed under special circumstances? It might be hard to find one. 

[Keerthy]

The system requirements table describes the conditions for using external keyboards and
monitors. Examples of acceptable combinations of screens, keyboard, and touchpad/mouse
include:
● Laptop screen, external webcam, integrated keyboard, and touchpad only
● Laptop screen, external webcam, integrated keyboard, and a wired external mouse
● Desktop computer with a single monitor, external webcam, wired keyboard, and wired
mouse
● Laptop with lid closed, external monitor, external webcam, wired keyboard, and wired
mouse

I do not know if there is a way to make an exception under special circumstances, However, you could write an email to certification-team@redhat.com, to explain and the team will respond accordingly.

[piyushgaur123]

Thanks Keerthy. Looking forward to the response from the team.