Hi Guys,

First time user here. I plan to use 2 OS Win 10 and teh Kali linux 2017.1. I never encountered any error during the installation. I successfully finished it. Unfortunately the linux OS does not boot.

I am receiving an error something like this;

Gave up waiting for root device. Common problems:
— Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
— Check rootdelay= (did the system wait long enough?)
— Check root= (did the system wait for the right device?)
— Missing modules (cat /proc/modules; ls /dev)
ALERT! /dev/SDC5 does not exist.
Dropping to a shell!

BusyBox v.1.20.2 (debian 1:1.20.2-1ubuntu1) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for list of built-in commands.


help me with this please. TIA.

Hi Spawn555,

Welcome to LQ!

That's usually caused by an incorrect root= entry in the kernel line in the grub menu. When you get the grub menu you can hit "e", and edit the kernel line to remove the UUID and put a device node corresponding to your root file system, usually /dev/sda1.

Then you can find the correct UUID with and copy the correct UUID to /etc/fstab, in the entry for the root (/) file system. Then run

Hi AwesomeMachine,

I really appreciate your reply... Am gonna try your advice. A lot.

Hi AwesomeMachine,

I am not sure where to start on it. If you don't mind at all.Can you give me a step on how to the the instruction above.

FIRST: Should i go to the error page where i can see the error:

Gave up waiting for root device. Common problems:
— Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
— Check rootdelay= (did the system wait long enough?)
— Check root= (did the system wait for the right device?)
— Missing modules (cat /proc/modules; ls /dev)
ALERT! /dev/SDC5 does not exist.
Dropping to a shell!

BusyBox v.1.20.2 (debian 1:1.20.2-1ubuntu1) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for list of built-in commands.


and Second And execute the code $ ls -al /dev/disk/by-uuid

once i have the correct UUID to /etc/fstab, in the entry for the root (/) file system then should i go back on grub menu

and Third: should i go back to the error page and execute the code: $update-grub

What type of device did you install kali on ?. USB ?. Boot your install disk/USB and run this comman from a terminal - post the outputAnd if you are a first time user, why did you choose kali ?.

You should not use kali if you have this question.

Hi syg00,

Yes sir, I have all my data backed up on a separate device.

Why I choose Kali? I think its the new one from linux. I have the thought of installing the mint 18 but, i don't know why i choose kali as well. But if your question is why I choose linux to install as my second OS is because i dont just wanna get stuck on WINDOWS.

What type of device did you install kali on ?. USB ?. Boot your install disk/USB and run this comman from a terminal - post the output.

Was already installed on my second HDD. I used a bootable disk to install it. was successful on the installation no error at all. was able to reach GRUB menu. I can boot to WIN10. When selecting Kali the i receive the error i posted above..

Thank your in advance.

kali is a penetration testing distro - not a "point and click" system. Regardless we see a lot of newbies installing it - maybe they all are wannabe 1337s.
As already demonstrated, you are unlikely to get much sympathy if you ask "newbie" questions about kali.

Fire up your bootable disk and run that command I gave you.

I got it figure out sir. Big thanks!

hello spawn555
how did u fix that error ? can u msg me on sizan.dhakal69@gmail.com

Suggest you read this: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ad-4175614092/