Kernel Panic

[Fred Derf Veteran]

I configured the kernel with "make xconfig"

From /usr/src/linux (symbolic link to linux-2.6.9):

I created a DEB with "make-kpkg -rev Custom.1 kernel-image"

Then I installed the DEB with:

"dpkg --install /usr/src/kernel-image-2.6.9_Custom.1_i386.deb"

From /boot:

I created an initrd with: "mkinitrd -o initrd.img-2.6.9 2.6.9"

Then I patched /etc/lilo.conf and reran lilo

Reboot and...

kernel panic - not syncing: VFS : unable to mount root fs

I reran the whole process and included reiserfs (my root and /home partition type). The first time it was only included as a module (which should still work if you use a initrd).

Any thoughts? (other than apt-getting a pre-compiled kernel)

[ootput]

Could you post your lilo.conf? Do you think that's related somehow?

[Fred Derf Veteran]

Could you post your lilo.conf? Do you think that's related somehow?

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I've attached it but I don't think it's the problem.

The other two kernel choices work, btw.

I've had to rename the file to get around security problems (Neowin rejected the file type).

It looks wonky in MS Notepad but it should work fine on Linux.

[ootput]

Which kernel-revisions are the other two based on?

I haven't tried 2.6.9 yet. Is there anything mentioned in updating.txt (in your kernel source dir.)

[Fred Derf Veteran]

Which kernel-revisions are the other two based on?

I haven't tried 2.6.9 yet. Is there anything mentioned in updating.txt (in your kernel source dir.)

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Sorry, I had issues with the attachment.

There's a generic Linux option that I don't use. I think it's the 2.4 kernel.

There is a Knoppix supplied 2.4.26 kernel that works perfectly.

There is a 2.6.6 kernel but I forget where it came from. Sound doesn't work. I'm not sure why.

I've used precompiled Debian 2.6.7 kernels in the past where the sound worked but the console framebuffer wasn't enabled (vga=normal circumvents this problem).

Only upon a time I had 0install working but now I get errors about lazyfs not being supported. Personally, I think that 0install sucks. I'd much rather install rox-session via apt-get and not have to worry about kernel updates screwing it up. I have rox-filer installed via apt-get but it's older than the 0install version. grrr...

[Darkinspiration]

did you tried to simply make bzImage and then make modules_install and to copy the bzImage to your /boot manually ?

[kjordan2001]

Yeah, is your new kernel image on your boot partition? It doesn't seem like the one you have there has support for reiserfs, so it can't mount your /.

[Fred Derf Veteran]

did you tried to simply make bzImage and then make modules_install and to copy the bzImage to your /boot manually ?

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No, I'm trying to do things "the Debian way". I have in the past done it that way (with 2.6.7) and I've had similar problems.

Yeah, is your new kernel image on your boot partition?  It doesn't seem like the one you have there has support for reiserfs, so it can't mount your /.

584818994[/snapback]

If I boot from a initrd image then it is supposed to work with reiserfs configured as a module. The first thing I tried when I got the kernel panic, however, was to redo the process with reiserfs fully installed. It didn't make a difference.

[rezza Veteran]

The "debian way" is to make the kernel, then package it up, then install the package?! The debian way sounds a bit ack-basswards to be. Have you definitley confirmed that the kernel that lilo is loading up has the right timestamps etc (so is 100% definitely the right kernel)?

[ootput]

When I first started using Linux, Debian's Make-kpkg made kernel installs a helluva lot easier to manage. I don't think that's the problem. It could be 2.6.9-*.

[rezza Veteran]

When I first started using Linux, Debian's Make-kpkg made kernel installs a helluva lot easier to manage. I don't think that's the problem. It could be 2.6.9-*.

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All versions of 2.6.9-* I've used have worked fine with reiser.