[Howto] solve login-error message “init[]: getty repeating too quickly on port /dev/ttyv0, sleeping 30 secs”

posted in: computer | 0

the problem is a malfunction, because the file /etc/ttys has a wrong configuration. Everytime this error message appears, the login-process is restarted and any established sessions are restarted (=new login-Prompt). Afaik it’s a result of checking for serial devices and to automatically reestablish the connection, if the device is not found or is not active (=endless loop between searching and restarting login-process).

the solution is to repair the file /etc/ttys. It must include the following row for the console-login:

#/etc/ttys (FreeBSD v11.x)
console none                            unknown off        secure    <-- check this line
ttyv0   "/usr/libexec/getty Pc"         xterm   onifexists secure
ttyv1   "/usr/libexec/getty Pc"         xterm   onifexists secure
...

After a reboot the console shouldn’t be automatically restarted and the console-login should only appear 1-times and stay untill logout.