kernel cannot convert a name into device number

dreambrother · 05-25-2005, 06:08 AM

I installed Debian Sid with Kernel 2.6.8-2 and everything was fine, but after I downloaded kernel image 2. 6.11-1 I can't boot into the old kernel anymore--- following message repeats endlessly during bootup:

Quote:

kernel cannot convert a name into device number.
check your 'root=' argument passed on boot by bootloader.
initrd-tools:0.1.80
/sbin/init: 360: cannot open bin/root: NO such file
umount : bin: not mounted
/sbin/init: 362: cannot create proc/sys/kernel/real-root-dev: Directory nonexistent
cat: proc/cmdline: No such file or directory
umount: proc: not mounted

What does this mean? So I should check my "root= argument"...where is that located and what should I look for?
"kernel cannot convert a name into device number" is that referring to my logitech webcam? Sid had at the very beginning actually detected my quickcam pro 4000, but now my 2.6.11 kernel can't find it anymore...

Thanks a bunch!

Simon Bridge · 05-25-2005, 11:09 PM

the root= argument is in your bootloader config file. If you use lilo it is "lilo.conf" if you have grub it is "grub.conf". It should point to your root partition.

When you upgrade a kernel you normally have to edit this file too.

h2gofast · 05-29-2005, 10:44 PM

I got almost the exact same error on an old install of debian sid. I have rebooted before on this kernel without this problem. I suspect something is broken in unstable. I rebooted with an Ubuntu live cd and chrooted to the hard drive apt-get update apt-get upgrade, but still no luck.
I double checked /boot/grub/menu.lst and it seems to be same as it ever was, but I'm still getting the problems.

Anyone else having this issue?

dorak · 05-30-2005, 06:46 PM

I got the same error and persists after upgrade... :-(

dorak · 05-31-2005, 05:51 PM

I changed my kernel version from 2.6.11-686 to 2.6.11-386, now it works fine but...386