Hello, folks recently managed to install Slackware 12 successfully having learned a lot in the process. However, yesterday after rebooting the system I got

Kernel panic, something to the effect that init could not be found and that i might have a bad block and i might need to build the tree..
It just hung there. I didn't even get a console prompt.

The only thing that had done to change system configuration was chmod /dev/hdc as my cd rom was not working when logged in user mode and fine when logged as root.

So in short, i was disappointed at the apparent instability.

I have rebuilt the system and about to configure X. Before I go any further with the configuration I want opinions with regards partitions.
In the previous install I had

/swap
/
/home

I made / bootable and installed lilo mbr on root. In the latest install I created

/swap
/boot
/
/home

I added lilo header to /boot and ending in /. mbr in /boot
My file system is reiserfs.

Please let me know best option for stability. Shall i keep this or go back to the former. I know i am going to be told to back to external devices. But generally how do i make sure /home directory is safe in case you need to wipe other partitions to reinstall.

You need to mention your hard disk and controller specs. Your problem is due to some module not getting loaded or a bad block (unlikely). You may need to put in some option to the 'kernel line' during boot like --all-generic-ide.

The order in which you keep partitions does not matter. You don't need a separate /boot partition. Use grub and install it to the 1st primary partition.


Best

A. Mani

Back /home up to another device. Since you have a CD I suggest that you back up to CD once a week and make a special backup just before you do something like rearrange partitions.

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Steve Stites