make-kpkg not making initrd

[dbbolton]

I'm building a kernel, followed this guide: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36525

I've tried using the vanilla kernel source (2.6.29.4) and the Debian kernel source (2.6.29). I copied the config from my working kernel (2.6.26-2-amd64) and ALL I changed was processor type, preemption model, timer frequency, and removed some unneeded network and soundcard modules. Here is the exact command I used to compile it:

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time fakeroot make-kpkg --append-to-version "-dbb" --revision "20090610" --initrd kernel_image kernel_headers

When I tried to boot my kernel, it panicked, printing a message about being unable to mount the root filesystem. I noticed that in /boot my working kernel has an intrd file, which is also the kernel in its grub entry, but my custom kernel does not- even though I used --initrd.

What could be the problem?

[garrincha]

It's a bug. See similar bug report:

http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=523735

I also had the same problem once or twice. My quick workaround is to build an initrd image, this will create an initrd image for your kernel:

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update-initramfs -c -k 'uname -r'

Replace 'uname -r' with your kernel version. This is assuming that your kernel image is something like 'vmlinuz-2.6.29.1' etc.

[dbbolton]

It's a bug. See similar bug report:

http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=523735

I also had the same problem once or twice. My quick workaround is to build an initrd image, this will create an initrd image for your kernel:

Code: Select all

update-initramfs -c -k 'uname -r'

Replace 'uname -r' with your kernel version. This is assuming that your kernel image is something like 'vmlinuz-2.6.29.1' etc.

I'll give this a go. Thanks a lot.

[milomak]

i thought i was doing something wrong with my compiles. but now i notice it is this initrd issue.

[bugsbunny]

It's not so much a bug as a design decision by the maintainer, which at least some people aren't happy with.

You need to copy some hook scripts to /etc/kernel/

Read through the information in /usr/share/doc/kernel-package/
There are example scripts in there as well, which will work in most cases as is (just copy them over).

Immediate solution is to just run update-initramfs (see man page for syntax)

[Stian1979]

It's a bug. See similar bug report:

http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=523735

I also had the same problem once or twice. My quick workaround is to build an initrd image, this will create an initrd image for your kernel:

Code: Select all

update-initramfs -c -k 'uname -r'

Replace 'uname -r' with your kernel version. This is assuming that your kernel image is something like 'vmlinuz-2.6.29.1' etc.

It don't work for me.

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update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-linux-image-2.5.30 -r
Cannot find /lib/modules/linux-image-2.5.30 -r                     


The folder is right there in /lib/modules

[Morticia]

bugsbunny's solution of copying the example scripts and tweaking them, as described in this thread and here:
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41735

Worked perfectly for me

It is better to have a permanent fix than a workaround (IMHO)

[Stian1979]

bugsbunny's solution of copying the example scripts and tweaking them, as described in this thread and here:
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41735

Worked perfectly for me

It is better to have a permanent fix than a workaround (IMHO)

I think I will be sitting around and see if the permanent come soon.
Is there a bug report for this?

[bugsbunny]

Bug report is linked earlier in this thread. If you manually inserted the kernel version into the update-initramfs command then make sure you're not tacking -r onto the end (which it looks like you did, the -r is what's causing the problem).

I think you'll be waiting a while for a "fix", although there is talk of (maybe) adding some script packages (see the bug thread).

[milomak]

I copied /usr/share/doc/kernel-package/examples/etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs to /etc/kernel/postinst.d/

initrd images are now created