I recently recompiled and installed kernel 2.6.3 after adding some small features. I used make-kpkg kernel_image and then dpkg -i kernel-image.blah.deb, and when I rebooted, after it checked for CDs to boot from, instead of seeing lilo, I saw a lot of characters, not saying anything ... never a good thing..

I then proceded to put in my debian install CD, and boot with "recover root=/dev/hda6", which then booted me into the older 2.4 kernel which is on the CD. The next problem, was the lack of the /usr dir (which is on a seperate partition to /). I fixed this with "mount -n /dev/hda8 /usr".

I then recompiled the kernel which went smoothly (Except for a lot of "clock skew detected" warnings, nothing major.. I hope..). I then typed dpkg -i kernel-image.blah.deb, and was greeted with the following:

dpkg error: error processing kernel-image.blah.deb (--install):
unable to open files list file for package 'kernel-image-2.6.3': Input/output error

Earlier when Ii was trying to mount /usr, and typed "mount /dev/hda8 /usr", I got the error message:

mount: can't open /etc/mtab for writing: Input/output error

And, when I was using a linux bootdisk to try and fix lilo, I was given an input/output error with wmlinuz when running "lilo -v"..

I have a feeling that this is a physical hard drive problem, but I'm hoping I've just messed something.
I've been googling and talking to people on IRC all day, and haven't got it working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Skitzo.

> mount: can't open /etc/mtab for writing: Input/output error

It is probable that your root partition is mounted read-only. It can be remounted readwrite with command

I found out the problem.. The partition was corrupt. I tried to fix it, but in the end, I just deleted the partition and reinstalled. Works now. I'm not sure what caused the partition corruption in the first place, but I hope it doesn't happen again.