Installing Linux on pendrive: Kernel panic

frenchn00b · 08-07-2007, 09:32 PM

Hello, I installed etch on a pendrive
and get kernel VF panic

what s wrong ?
how can the usbpendrive ext3 linux boot after pressing F11 to boot on usb ?
it works when i have a harddisk that holds the /boot/grub

but fails when the usb is alone.

method below doestn work

H E L P

Code:

STEP1: INSTALL THE OS

*IMPORTANT: when you boot the Ubuntu install CD, make sure you type 'expert' before pressing enter to start the installer.

The reason for this is that using the Expert installer, you get access to a shell before you have to reboot, and u have a bit more control over the install process THIS IS CRUCIAL IF YOU WANT TO AVOID PROBLEMS.

Install Ubuntu to the USB drive, by selecting the '(sda)' or whatever the drive is (it will generally NEVER be (hdc) or (hda)

STEP 2: CONFIGURE THE MKINITRD SCRIPT

After you have finished all the installation items (IE: install base system, configure network, select input locales, copy remaining packages to HDD),
you need to select the option "Execute A Shell".

Once the shell is loaded, type the following:

'nano /target/etc/mkinitrd/modules'

This will load up the file that tells the mkinitrd script which modules need to preloaded in the kernel initialisation process.

ADD THE FOLLOWING LINES:

sd_mod
ehci-hcd
uhci-hcd
ohci-hcd
usb-storage

Once you have done this, type the following:

'nano /target/etc/mkinitrd/mkinitrd.conf'

EDIT the line that says DELAY=0 and change it to anything over 10 (i chose 15 to be safe).

This step just ensures that the kernel will wait long enough for the USB device to appear before attempting to mount the root partition. If it doesn't
wait long enough, you will get the message " Kernel panic: Unable to sync VFS!" or something similar.

STEP 3: BUILD THE INITRD IMAGE

Now that you have told the script which modules to build into the Initrd ramdisk, you simply need to type the following:

chroot /target
mount -tproc none /proc
mkinitrd -o /boot/usbinitrd.img-(kernel version OPTIONAL)

STEP 4: CONFIGURE GRUB BOOT LOADER

The last step will involve adding an entry to the new kernel/ramdisk in the menu.lst config file of GRUB. MY particular entry is as follows:


title Ubuntu Hoary (5.04 USB)
kernel (hd1,4)/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10-5-386 ro root=/dev/sda5
initrd (hd1,4)/boot/usbinitrd.img

You can do this by typing 'nano /target/boot/grub/menu.lst' and adding the entry that's appropriate for your setup. After that u need to do a /sbin/grub-install /dev/sdaX (where X is the partition number).

Now just type exit until you see the installer again and choose the option "Finish Installation". Reboot, and u should be able to boot into your new linux USB installation.

gd2shoe · 08-08-2007, 04:42 PM

When does it stop working, when you unplug the hdd, or is the hdd still plugged in? As you are getting a kernel panic (or so you say) Then I would think that grub is probably doing it's job. Perhaps you need multiple grub entries for different hardware setups.

I'm new to the usb booting game. I'd be interested in your solution (and specific problem for that matter).

frenchn00b · 08-08-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd2shoe

When does it stop working, when you unplug the hdd, or is the hdd still plugged in? As you are getting a kernel panic (or so you say) Then I would think that grub is probably doing it's job. Perhaps you need multiple grub entries for different hardware setups.

I'm new to the usb booting game. I'd be interested in your solution (and specific problem for that matter).

I am booting fromthe usb drive
and the hdd is crashed in the tower, i have no way to unplug it.

gd2shoe · 08-09-2007, 12:21 AM

Wait, you have the ability to plug in a USB device, but not to unplug the hard disk? What kind of permission do you have from the system owner?

frenchn00b · 08-09-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd2shoe

Wait, you have the ability to plug in a USB device, but not to unplug the hard disk? What kind of permission do you have from the system owner?

to unmount or unplug?

I can mount and unmount anything I want since I am root.

I cannot physically touch and open the computer, to remove the sda harddisk device

thanks for your help !

/bin/bash · 08-10-2007, 12:24 PM

What kind of pendrive. Does it have "U3 Smart" compatible written on it? If so then you probably need to remove the U3 software. There are instructions on the internet.

Kernel panic sounds like you may be missing a module, perhaps ext3 or ext2.