what am I missing in my kernel configuration, kernel panic

Kristian2 · 10-04-2009, 04:10 AM

I have gone through all the kernel config options repeatedly, but everytime I get the same error after running my configured kernel.

To begin with, after unpacking the kernel I get
Undefined video mode numer: 305
and then a selection of video modes appears.
Why are the standard settings in my lilo 1024x768x256 (vga 773) not accepted?

VFS: Cannot open root device "808" or unknown block(8,8) Please append a correct "root"=" boot option; here are the available partitions: Kernel panic- not syncing :VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown block(8,8)

My partitions are ext2, and this format (as well as other formats) are compiled in the kernel.

Daedra · 10-04-2009, 04:12 AM

is your controller card driver static or module? try setting it to static

Dinithion · 10-04-2009, 04:26 AM

Posting 'lspci -n' in this webpage: http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/ will give you a good indication of which modules are needed. Double check that they are all included. You can search for them by using '/' if you are using menuconfig. You can search using xconfig as well, but I'm not familiar with it. Also be sure to include harddrive and chipset controllers as buildin, since building them as modules will require you to have an initrd.

Edit:
Don't go nuts in menuconfig removing everything module that isn't included in the output of that webpage. You will need alot more, but that will include the hardware drivers you need.

markush · 10-04-2009, 04:26 AM

Hello Kristian2,

I'd recommend to solve the HD-issue at first. If you're using lilo, set

Code:

vga = normal

which is the normal texconsole without any vga.

The kernel-panic is because the kernel does not recognize your harddisk.

Please post, if you have a ide or a sata drive i.e post your /etc/fstab and tell us if your actually running lilo.

Markus

Kristian2 · 10-04-2009, 06:49 AM

Thanks for your replies.
The VGA text console option was selected btw, but I'll set it to normal to start with.
The Sata controller I have (all drivers are compiled in) is Intel Corporation 82801JI (ICH10 Family) 4 port SATA IDE Controller, however that one I do not find in the Sata driver selections only ICH5/6/7/8 Serial ATA support

I am using Lilo.

tramni1980 · 10-04-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristian2

Thanks for your replies.
The VGA text console option was selected btw, but I'll set it to normal to start with.
The Sata controller I have (all drivers are compiled in) is Intel Corporation 82801JI (ICH10 Family) 4 port SATA IDE Controller, however that one I do not find in the Sata driver selections only ICH5/6/7/8 Serial ATA support

I am using Lilo.
Here's my fstab btw

Code:

/dev/sda8        /                ext2        defaults         1   1
/dev/sda9        /var             ext2        defaults         1   2
/dev/sda10       /tmp             ext2        defaults         1   2
/dev/sda11       /usr/local       ext2        defaults         1   2
/dev/sda12       /home            ext2        defaults         1   2
/dev/sda7        /boot            ext2        defaults         1   2
/dev/sda9        /var             ext2        defaults         1   2
#/dev/sda1        /__NTFS_XP       ntfs-3g     umask=077        1   0
/dev/sda5        /__NTFS_DATA     ntfs-3g     umask=000        1   0
/dev/sda6        /__NTFS_GAMES    ntfs-3g     umask=000        1   0
#/dev/cdrom      /mnt/cdrom       auto        noauto,owner,ro  0   0
/dev/sdb1        /mnt/usb         auto        noauto,user  0   0
/dev/fd0         /mnt/floppy      auto        noauto,owner     0   0
devpts           /dev/pts         devpts      gid=5,mode=620   0   0
proc             /proc            proc        defaults         0   0
tmpfs            /dev/shm         tmpfs       defaults         0   0

Try setting in your bios the drives to AHCI mode.

markush · 10-04-2009, 07:18 AM

Hello,

in the Kernelconfiguration "Device drivers-> Serial Ata" you have to choose "Intel ESB, ICH, PIIX3, PIIX4 PATA/SATA support", then recompile your kernel.

Markus

Kristian2 · 10-04-2009, 07:21 AM

See if that's an option I can find, however, if the generic kernel works (no matter what is set in the bios), it's probably a matter of finding the proper modules that I need, even the ICH10 Sata controller is not explicitly mentioned in the configuration menu. It shouldn't be that difficult to pinpoint to the specific module.
@Markush:
I was thinking about that since it is the only Intel driver mentioned, however the ICH10 is not explicitly mentioned.
I'll give it a go.

markush · 10-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristian2

...
I was thinking about that since it is the only Intel driver mentioned, however the ICH10 is not explicitly mentioned.
I'll give it a go.

thats the only way which always helps.... trying it out.

good luck.

Markus

PS: I had in fact the same kernel-panic issue while compiling my kernel for Gentoo. It turned out that it also was the sata-driver (I've an Intel/SIS board in my Laptop).

Drakeo · 10-04-2009, 07:42 AM

did you so a make modules_install and then run lilo.

Kristian2 · 10-04-2009, 07:58 AM

yes I did.
I can boot in my system now, however mousepointer remains fixed, and probably some more things that aren't perfect yet. But the driver issue is solved with this driver type.
BTW where do I find the logged (error)messages during boot? In /var/log/messsages and syslog I do not find the latest errors I see on the screen.

onebuck · 10-04-2009, 08:05 AM

Hi,

Just use the 'dmesg' to see the information.

Kristian2 · 10-04-2009, 08:32 AM

That's where I looked too, but some (error)messages where not showing, anyway thanks for your help.

C-Sniper · 10-04-2009, 09:15 AM

If your mousepointer is fixed then I am guessing you disabled USB HID option. re-enable that since the USB is routed through the Human Interface Device (HID) sub-section under drivers.

rob.rice · 10-04-2009, 09:37 AM

"cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.xx.xx"
"make clean"
"make i386_defconfig (32bit system) x86_64_defconfig (64bit system)"
this gives you the (except for file systems) minim kernel needed to support the hardware it was ran on
"make menuconfig " now set up the file systems move some things to modules set up usb devices