cannot boot into RHEL 6

bluforce · 07-10-2012, 03:29 PM

Guys,
One of my users is unable to boot into RHEL 6.2 32-bit. The Dell splash screen pops up, then the RHEL splash screen, then it just spins forever.
Tried hitting spacebar at the grub screen, entering password, then booting to run level 3 from a previous kernel (and even the newest) and it still just hangs.

Tried booting from the RHEL 32bit installer disc, but the repair options aren't too helpful for me - not sure what to do.

Any ideas?
TIA

Kustom42 · 07-10-2012, 03:33 PM

When the RHEL screen appears you should be able to hit alt+f1,f2,f3,etc.. to switch to other terminals. On these other terminals you should see where in the boot process the server is as well as any messages or errors.

You should also be able to boot into single user mode from the grub menu, instead of booting to run level 3, boot to run level 1 and review some log files. Take a look at /var/log/boot.1 and /var/log/messages

chrism01 · 07-11-2012, 08:10 PM

If you boot off the Install Media for RHEL6.x, there should be a 'Linux Rescue' menu option.
On RHEL5.x you just type 'linux rescue' at the prompt instead of choosing from the Install menu

HTH

John VV · 07-11-2012, 08:39 PM

RHEL 6 is the same as 5 ( at least cent and Scientific6 are)
pop in the install dvd
and fallow the on screen instructions
"linux rescue"
then AFTER you then run the required

Code:

chroot /mnt/sysimage

you can then look at the logs

Code:

cd /var/log
ls
--- then from the list the boot log ---- 
nano boot.0.log

Kustom42 · 07-12-2012, 11:04 AM

Whoa guys, why are we suggesting rescue mode without attempting to boot into single user mode first?

Baby steps, it might not work but its a quick and easy T/S step here.

chrism01 · 07-12-2012, 06:33 PM

Looking at the 1st post, it sounds like the user can't login at all, even by interrupting grub ... that's why.

kindofabuzz · 07-12-2012, 06:37 PM

Call RH support. You're paying for it.