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Rebooting problem after attempted upgrades of the Kernel

Linux Kernel, Network, and Services configuration.
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Ahnilated

Rebooting problem after attempted upgrades of the Kernel

#1 Post by Ahnilated »

I was using Debian Unstable with kernel 2.6.11. I first tried to install the 2.6-686 kernel and that didn't work so I read that the 2.6-k7 kernel would work better. The system is an AMD K7 on an ASUS motherboard with a 73G SCSI HD. After rebooting from the second kernel attempt and running Lilo with no errors I get a kernel panic error. The error I get is "VFS: Cannot open root device "802" or unknown-block(8,2) Please append a correct "root=" boot option Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(8,2).

Now a little background info in the whole mess. I found out the hard way that my Lilo was not hardcoded to have the /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11 kernel that was working setup so after the 2 reboots it won't come back up. I also found out that my recovery floppy has taken a dump.

So now I am stuck not being able to reboot the system onto a good kernel image even with using the command on booting with a cd at the "boot" line of "/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11 root=/dev/sda2 ro" or the Linuxold line being it now thinks the 2.6-k7 kernel ,which didn't work, is the Linuxold not my 2.6.11 kernel.

I have tried using the Ubuntu Live cd to boot that system and get in and edit the Lilo.conf file but it won't allow me to run Lilo, gives off a shared library error being it uses a different setup.

I read on Debian " Once you have installed your 2.6 kernel, but before you reboot, make sure you have a recovery method. First, make sure that the bootloader configuration has entries for both the new kernel and the old, working 2.4 kernel. You should also ensure you have a "rescue" floppy or cdrom to hand, in case misconfiguration of the bootloader prevents you booting the old kernel." I already know this part of it but can't do anything to solve the problem and I am kind of at an impass right now.

Is there a fix for this problem without having to reinstall the system? Some tips of any type to restore this system to working would be greatly appreciated.

Judas

#2 Post by Judas »

You can boot from the CD using "rescue" option. I don't remember exactly how to specify it (read the help on the CD), but it should get you into the system using some failsafe kernel. Also use grub as a bootloader - it's easier and more failsafe.

Guest

#3 Post by Guest »

There is no "rescue" option listed on the cd's help file :(

Guest

#4 Post by Guest »

Any other ideas out there?

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simen
Posts: 203
Joined: 2005-07-02 15:00
Location: Norway

#5 Post by simen »

This may sound stupid, but I had a similar problem once: Remember to make sure there's a initrd.(something)-file befitting your kernel in the directory /boot/

--Simen

anon

#6 Post by anon »

What if you used your ubuntu live cd to boot and mount the hd and then do a chroot into your old system?

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