kernel panic messages while installing Linux
 

Hello
I'm trying to install a low end Linux like "antiX" ,puppy vector standard ,tiny core and others on my old laptop but i'm getting a kernel panic message. what i actually got while booting is this
:" kernel panic - not syncing :VFS : unable to mount root fs on block(0,1)" something like that and the system hangs.
My laptop's configuration is P3 850Mhz,128mb ram (recently added another 128mb ,so now its 256mb) 20GB hdd . I tried with every tiny Linux OS using Unetbootin as the dvd rom is not working but the same kernel panic but with different messages . I suspect the recent addition of memory to the laptop. Please help me find a solution for this.

Thanks In Advance

This is usually caused by the lack of an initrd file. Inital ram disk files load necessary drivers so the kernel can access the HD and continue the boot process.

What boot loader? Are you trying to load a initrd file? If not, you will have to create one. I'm not familiar with the distro you are using. Some distors create a huge kernel with everything in it but the kitchen sink, and will boot without an ititrd file.

Thank you for the reply camorri.
No its an old laptop Hp omnibook XE3 .Well the initrd file is also loading as i can see it on the sceen while booting. Before adding the 128mb ram it used to be fine ,up and running puppy linux. I tried with different distro's and got the same kernel panic everytime ,so I ran the memtest+ from ubcd and found the ram to be corrupted as the tests were mere failure.Can a corrupted ram module cause "kernel panic"?

I can not be sure, however, unpredictable results are a for certain. If this is a separate stick of memory, remove it, and see if you can boot.

An old trick I used to use, is to rub the contacts with a good clean piece of bond paper, do not touch the contacts with your fingers, they have oil and dirt on them. Then give the stick another try. You need to be sure the stick is properly seated and snapped it. Take it from an old hardware guy.

Thank you Camorri
I've took the laptop to the technician and he said that the ram is corrupted . Its real hard to find sdrams near my place .Anyways thanks for the help.

You are most welcome.