can't boot to gentoo
 

I installed gentoo with the 2.6.1 kernel and used genkernel to compile. I have grub configured, but when I boot it can't read my root directory. Need help.

To quote one of the moderators here: "We're not mind readers" :)

We need more information to be able to help. Like, what does your grub.conf look like (or lilo.conf if you swing that way ;)), and what does your partitioning scheme look like? Do you have support for the file systems you use built in?


Håkan

My grub.conf file is

code:

default 0
timeout 30
splashimage=(hd0,1)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

title=Gentoo
root (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/boot/kernel-2.6.1-gentoo root=/dev/hdb4
initrd (hd0,1)/boot/initrd-2.6.1-gentoo

title=Windows XP
root (hd0,0)
chainloader +1


My partitions are:

1st windows xp
2nd linux boot
3rd linux swap
4th linux root

and I don't know if I have support for the file systems built in.

Your grub.conf looks fine, although I always keep an option to use my "last" kernel to be able to roll back if something doesn't work right with the new kernel. However I suppose you could be doing your initial installation and if so you won't have an older kernel install.

You *must* have support in the kernel for the file systems you use. If you don't you will probably end up in a situation like this one. If you use reiserfs you will need reiserfs support, and so on.

First, check that you have a symlink /usr/src/linux pointing to the correct directory (the kernel you're currently using). It should point to /usr/src/linux-2.6.1-gentoo or something to that effect. If you have a linux-beta symlink that's not enough, you should always have the "linux" symlink pointing to the current kernel source directory. If you don't have the link, cd over to /usr/src and type ln -s linux-versionblaha-that-you're-using linux or ln -s linux-2.6.1-gentoo linux if that's what you're currentl kernel is called.

Then cd to the linked linux directory: cd /usr/src/linux and type make menuconfig. Select File Systems and make sure these are selected:
* Second extended fs support
* Ext3 journalling file system support
* Reiserfs support
* Stats in /proc/fs/reiserfs
The other options should be OK (you're not likely to use XFS or JFS). Then enter the Pseudo Filesystems subsection. You will want these options there:
* /proc filesystem support
* /dev filesystem support (OBSOLETE but Gentoo doesn't care, heh)
* automatically mount (devfs) on boot
* /dev/pts filesystem
* virtual memory fs (former shm fs)

Exit and save your configuration, then build and install the kernel and modules as per the Gentoo documentation. Then give it another try!

Building kernels is a bit confusing at first but you'll get used to it pretty soon. It's really not that hard once you remember what things to include and what commands to run (which isn't all that many to be honest).

Good luck!

Håkan

I checked the symlinks and didn't really know if I had one then I made one. So I looked a little better and now I have two. I deleted one just using rm. I don't know if that was right or not so I would be happy if you could tell me. About the kernel though I recompiled with your specified items and didn't change anything else. Then recompiled. Now I get a little farther with the boot, but now I'm stuck at mount /proc. I making really small steps, but maybe I'll get there some time. :)

OK then. :)
Open up your /etc/fstab in an editor (nano -w works fine) and make sure you a line exactly like this in it:I don't really know but it's possible that you would get a more verbal error if the kernel can't find where to mount /proc so I don't really know if this is the problem.

As for the symlink - if you emerge the 2.6 Gentoo kernel sources you will get a symlink called linux-beta in /usr/src. It doesn't really do much. The linux link in that same directory is important when building other packages that depend on the kernel source (like device drivers).

You might want to search the Gentoo Forums for information about the kernel stopping at "Mounting /proc". I have never come across it myself. But anyway, bookmark the Gentoo Forums, there is a wealth of knowledge there, both Gentoo-specific and general Linux stuff.


Håkan

I figured I would stop all these different errors by just reinstalling all of Gentoo. I thought maybe I could used all my new found knowledge and do a better job of installing. Instead of installing from stage 3 I've decided to start with 2, because stage 1 looked like a little to much for me to handle. I'll post when I get done installing.

I got Gentoo to work from stage 2. Thanks for all your help.:D