Kernel Panic : Unable to mount root fs on 08:08
 

I am new to Red Hat Linux and this is my first server installation. I am using RedHat Linux 3 Update 5 on IBM Xseries 226.

Managed to download the host raid driver from IBM for the kernel and prcoceed with the installation; the RAID is mirrored. However, after installation - when I were in GRUB mode, I received the above error.

The exact error were :
VFS: Cannot open root device "SDA8" or 08:08
Pls append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel Panic : VFS : Unable to mount root fs on 08:08

Any idea what is happening ? I've since try the installation 3 times but keep on receiving the same error again and again.

Advice of any kind would be really appreciated.

Cheers & Rgds,
Kia Sen

It seems that you haven't compile the raid or scsi driver into the kernel. Don't try to use it as module.

Hope helpfull.

Wang

hello kiasen.

i agree with what wangpenghui said. it's best to recompile your kernel. you may already have support for your device but it could also be a problem with your modules. so avoiding modules is also advisable.

just in case you still want to use modules, after you compile your kernel, make sure you update your initrd file (only if you use initrd) by doing 'mkinitrd -o initrdfile kernelversion'. for example:incompatibility of the kernel loaded and its modules is a common cause of VFS mount errors.

also when you have a new version of kernel, avoid using 'uname -r' to get the kernel's version.

if you don't know how to compile a kernel btw, you can read the kernel-howto manual:
http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-HOWTO/Kernel-HOWTO.html