Hello. I just downloaded Redhat Linux 9 and burned it to three cd's using Ahead Nero Ultra Edition. When I use the cd on my computers (I tested the discs on three different computers) It loads the first install screen where you choose what type of install (graphical, text, rescue), but when I choose graphical or text, it always comes to this message:

VFS: Cannot open root device "" or 48:05

I cannot figure it out, and I can't find similar problems on forums, so I gave it a shot. When I use Virtual PC, it will install fine straight from the ISO that I downloaded. The thing is, is that I don't want a virtual linux, I want it on my other computer. So if anybody can help me, please do. Thank you in advance.

Okay here's what's up. I just downloaded Redhat Linux 9.0. I was really excited that I was finally getting the version of linux that I have always wanted. First I thought I'd test it out on Microsoft Virtual PC (aka Connectix) Anyway, I loaded up linux straight from the ISO file itself that I downloaded. The install took about 40 minutes on emulation, and I thought that was great! I started it up and it worked, but I thought that it wasn't working fast enough and that I'd really like to have a multiboot with my Windows XP setup. I am fully prepared to do whatever I have to with my hard drive, may it be reformat, partition, etc. This is not my problem however. My problem is that when I burn the ISO to a CD-R and try to boot with it I get the following error:

VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 48:05

Here's the real thing though. After burning it to a CD-R I pop it in my computer and restart. It loads the installation screen and I try each possible choice. I tried graphical, text, rescue, lowres, etc. I also tried burning it onto a different brand of CD-R. I did check the integrity of the discs on VPC and it said everything was just grand. What I also want to know is why it works straight from the ISO file and not the ISO file burned onto a CD-R. The reason I am making this reply so long is because I really need to be specific so I don't get a response like, "did you try burning it to a different type of cd?" and just to save you and I some time so you don't have to ask, here are my stats for the two computers I tried the discs on:

Main computer:
Pentium 4 - 1800 mhz
Windows XP Home Edition
Fujitsu-Siemens Motherboard
Geforce 3 Tornado Titanium 200 AGP

Backup Machine:
Pentium 2 MMX
Windows XP Home Edition
iWill 2K Motherboard
STB Velocity 128 PCI

Also, I have to mention that I tried to boot from different types of hard drives and differently formatted hard drives. I tried booting from each hard drive normally how they were. (With windows and all my settings.) and same error. I tried booting an empty FAT32 drive and received the same error. I tried booting an empty NTFS drive, and the same error.

Okay, time for a recap:
I would like to know why I am receiving this error:
VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 48:05
only on boot with a burned image of the complete ISO's from Redhat.com
I would like to know why it works straight from the ISO on VPC and not from the SAME ISO burned.

I would REALLY REALLY appreciate a response and some help. I know that somebody out there is having the same exact problem. Well, thank you in advance.

I'm not exactly sure the how the redhat installer(anaconda) works but maybe it cannot succesfully detect your cdrom?
try using another cd-rom drive if possible, or try using bootdisks.

yes, it detects my cd-rom drive just fine, and just to test around, I tested it on three other cd-rom drives. I also tried the redhat boot disk and a normal FAT boot disk. All failures. Thanks anyway.

it's a long shot, but try passing ideX=nodma when u load the cdrom
so at the prompt you type "linux ide1=nodma" if the cdrom is on secondary controller, or maybe try to specify the memory size yourself, append mem=<amount of ram> eg 512M

Hi,

I am facing similiar problem. I downloaded all three ISO files from RedHat web site and burn all of them into CD-Rs using Ahead NERO Enterprise. The first disk boots up fine on my PC running Windows XP (first partition - FAT32) and second partition (blank). However, after selecting the installation mode (I selected Graphical), language and installation source (Local CD-ROM), it pops up an error message saying that it cannot detects a Linux installation disk in my CD-ROM. Can anyone tell me what went wrong. I am a newbie to LINUX, any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Best regards,

HELLO ALL i get the same message aswell after downloading the 3 cd`s shrike srpms 1 2 3 .. i put in my floppy with BOOTDISC.IMG onit what i had to download because its NOT in the folder on cd 1 where its supposed to be with the image files , then it goes to set up linux then it asks me what i want to install (graphical, text, rescue) ive tryed both ..
then it goes through loads of files setting up i think, it finds cd rom floppy etc and other stuff then stops saying

KERNEL PANIC: VFS: UNABLE TO MOUNT ROOT FS ON 48:05

HAS ANYONE HAD THIS B4 OR IS IT JUST MY PC WONT TAKE LINUX
IVE PARTISIONED MY 20 GIG HD TO 2 10 GIGS WITH PARTISION MAGIC ON C: DRIVE IM RUNING WINDOWS 98SE AND I WANT RED HAT 9 ON MY D: DRIVE
MY PC IS IS : AMD ATHLON 900MHZ CPU 128MDRAM
any help would be MUCH APPRECIATED
THANKS

Having exactly the same problem as described above. I can get past the "unable to mount fs" error by appending "noprobe" but I get a "you do not have enough RAM to install" even though I have 228MB. If I append mem=228M then the "unable to mount fs" error pops up.

im doing a computer science course at university and need linux in the future on my course so i thought id get ahead of the game and get it beforewe learnt it but i am having the same problem as everyone else in this thread...that stupid message:

kernel panic: vfs: unable to mount root fs on 48:05

i am running an amd athlon xp2600+
with 768meg ddr ram
2 100gb hard disks

i am not dual booting i just want a nice new copy of redhat linux to work for me and not get stuck in instalation...im very temped to go back tonice easy windows.

i hope somebody has a reply for this lot...

please if some1 finds a reply can you e-mail it to me or jst post it hee... seanbarton@btinternet.com

cheers all

I had the same problem as madmanmy and all its was, was a bad ISO download.

I dont know if the kernel panic error is the same thing but check the md5 sum of your ISOs just to make sure.

how do i do that then...does that mean ive gotta download1and a half gig of info all over again.. cant i just replace some files in the iso

thanks for the advice ne way

umm find a program the checks md5 sum, then compare the md5 sum to the site you downloaded from.

An ISO is a disk image, so i guess NO u cant change files.

I had to redownload RH9 disc 1 again, takes about 3 hrs for me

I did a google search and found this md5sum checker

http://www.blisstonia.com/shareware/WinMD5/

HELLO ALL ive just brought suse linux8.2 box set from pc world for £9.99 which installed straight away after loads of problems from red hat 9 but i couldnt set up my internal modem or my use dsl one so im back to windows 98se now