Waiting for root filesystem, after install a new sata HD on Etch 4.0

thiagoeliasr · 11-21-2008, 11:48 AM

Hi,

Today, I needed to install a new SATA HD on Debian Etch 4.0 where I work, but when the system is booting, the message: "Begin: Waiting for root filesystem" appears and nothing happens.

When I remove the new SATA HD, the boot process is normal.

I can't figure out why I'm having this problem. Do I need to change something in Grub boot loader, or something like that ?!
I don't know much about sata hd's. but it seems that Debian is changing the priority between the 2 hd's..

Thanks for the help.

jlinkels · 11-22-2008, 01:56 PM

It is most likely because the kernel thinks differently about what is the first and second hard drive.

I recommend to use UUID's instead of /dev/sda1 etc to point to your boot disk.

Find you UUID's by using the blkid command in a console.

These are the lines in /boot/grub/menu.lst and /etc/fstab which are using UUID now. (For my system, your UUID's are different)

menu.lst:

Code:

title           Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-1-686
root            (hd0,0)
kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.26-1-686 root=UUID=c1420be7-ac52-477b-b31d-820d809105dc ro rootdelay=5
initrd          /boot/initrd.img-2.6.26-1-686

/etc/fstab:

Code:

#/dev/hdc1       /               ext3    defaults,errors=remount-ro 0       1
UUID=c1420be7-ac52-477b-b31d-820d809105dc       /       ext3    defaults,errors=remount-ro 0       1

Note the first line is commented out.

jlinkels

thiagoeliasr · 11-24-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlinkels

It is most likely because the kernel thinks differently about what is the first and second hard drive.

I recommend to use UUID's instead of /dev/sda1 etc to point to your boot disk.

Find you UUID's by using the blkid command in a console.

These are the lines in /boot/grub/menu.lst and /etc/fstab which are using UUID now. (For my system, your UUID's are different)

menu.lst:

Code:

title           Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.26-1-686
root            (hd0,0)
kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.26-1-686 root=UUID=c1420be7-ac52-477b-b31d-820d809105dc ro rootdelay=5
initrd          /boot/initrd.img-2.6.26-1-686

/etc/fstab:

Code:

#/dev/hdc1       /               ext3    defaults,errors=remount-ro 0       1
UUID=c1420be7-ac52-477b-b31d-820d809105dc       /       ext3    defaults,errors=remount-ro 0       1

Note the first line is commented out.

jlinkels

Hi jlinkels,

Thanks for the help. I'll try it tomorrow.. I'm almost sure that your solutiuon will work..

Thanks again..

(and sorry for my bad english language).