Kernel compilation error!!
 

Hi to all,

I'm using RedHat 9 (kernel 2.4.20-8) and I tried to upgrade the kernel to 2.4.32. I did the following steps for compilation:

make xconfig
make bzImage
make modules
make modules_install
make install

I got the following errors:

VFS: Cannot open root device "LABEL=/" or 00:00
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount rootfs on 00:00

Can anyone tell how to correct these errors?

Warm regards,
Visham

http://www.google.com/linux?q=redhat+9+kernel+upgrade

Should point you to resolving specific issues with compiling a kernel for RH9. Your particular cannot open root device error is likely due to the root filesystem type not being compiled into the new kernel. Two fixes are either to include ext2/ext3 (assuming that is the format of the root filesystem) compiled in instead of modularized into the kernel or to create an initrd image.

FYI This is the networking forum, your post would probably fit better in linux-newbie or distributions-red hat. Rather than posting an additional thread there, it would be best to wait for an admin to move this thread though.

Hi,

many thx for the reply..

actually I thought so too..i have done kernel upgrades on RH9 using a 2.6 kernel..got no real problems.

But for the 2.4.32, i got the above errors..i also tried to change the settings in the .config file (saying 'yes' to the different filesystems (ext2,ext3,..) but still the same error..

I don't find the VFS in the .config though..Can you tell me what option I can choose to solve it?

Warm regards,
Visham

VFS isn't what needs to be changed in the kernel. The kernel needs to have support for whatever filesystem the root partition is on either built in, or in an initrd image. If this support is not in the kernel, then when the system tries to boot up VFS will not be able to read the root partiton and will spit out the above error.

Hi Darin,

What do you suggest I should enable in the kernel? I enabled all the features that I know are important..am I doing anything wrong in the steps given in above msgs?

Warm regars,
Visham

Don't forget to compile in the support for the controller chipset on the motherboard you need that as well.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Try using the device name rather than the label as the kernel option.

Hi to all,

Many thx for your replies guys..

To Happy Tux:
Under what option do I get that? Can you give me an example of such a controller?

To David Ross:
Can you please give me an example of how to do this? I know I have to put the 'hdd' thing, but I don't know how to put it correctly.

Warm regards,
Visham

The first line in the output of the command below you need to select the one in this section for you motherboard.

If you cannot figure it out can you post the name/model of your motherboard and one of us should be able to tell you the correct one to enable.
He means something like root=/dev/hda1 using the partition number/drive letter of your /.