Simple boot problem...but I can't fix it
 

I can not get a new kernel to boot. I started with Mandrake 10 and have dowloaded and compiled the new kernel 2.6.5 and then patched it to 2.6.6. I can not get either 2.6.5 or 2.6.6 to boot, using either lilo or grub! Neither new kernel seems to be able to find my / directory to boot and I get the standard
"vfs: can not open root device "303" or hda3
please append a correct "root"= boot option"

grub just says
"error 15: file not found"

Its pretty obvious what this means but I can not figure out why it is doing this. Same setup works fine to boot the original 2.6.3mdk kernel. I've compiled both ext2 and ext3 filesystems directly into th new kernels (not as modules), created a new initrd and all but can not get past this step. Can anyone give me some ideas about steps to diagnose what might be causing this? I know that distro kernels can be heavily hacked but surely the new vanilla kernels can find a simple ide, /dev/hda3 root file system when compiled properly.

I've googled and read and downloaded etc and still nothing works.

This is a HP pavilion ze5200 notebook and HP has set up some unusual disk partitions for some of their own stuff, which might be part of the problem but I can't find out how to fix it.

Grub menu.list is at bottom. "Linux" boots fine but Linux-2.6.6" just gives error 15!!

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Jim


=================================
#
# Sample boot menu configuration file
#

# Boot automatically after a minute.
timeout 15

# By default, boot the second entry.
default 1

# Fallback to the first entry.
fallback 0

title XP
unhide (hd0,0)
#hide (hd0,1)
#hide (hd0,2)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
#makeactive

# For booting Linux
title Linux
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda3
makeactive

# For booting Linux 2.6.6
title Linux-2.6.6
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/bzImage-2.2.6
boot

i think "bzImage-2.2.6" is not the right file name

LOL... you have ways ahead of you... (i am in the attempt #27 of my new kernel :P )

ok.. you compiled to the kernel your filesystes... that is the way to do it...
now.. did you compiled your PCI support in the kernel or as modules ???
what about the partition systems ?? as modules ?
and ... IDE support ??

By the way... if you got the wrong PCI/IDE/etc... devices you might get that problem too.

one last thing !!! dont bother with initrm !!!

and I don't think it would hurt to append root=/dev/hda3 AFTER you correct the wrong image name

Thanks mate, comments/questions within text!

Have tried this and it didn't seem to matter but will try it again!

Thanks

Jim

It should be, have included a list of files in /boot. This is what I changed the name of bzImage file to. Is it critical to form links and have it linked to another filename? Is it imperitive that these files be set to executable?

Thanks

Jim

oops, forgot to put in list of filenames
 

./
../
boot.0300
bootfiles
bzImage-2.6.5*
bzImage-2.6.6*
config@
config-2.6.3-4mdk
config-2.6.5
diag1.img
diag2.img
grub/
initrd-2.6.3-4mdk.img*
initrd-2.6.5.img*
initrd-2.6.6.img*
initrd.img@
kernel.h@
kernel.h-2.6.3-4mdk
map
message@
message-graphic
message-text
output
output~
System.map@
System.map-2.6.3-4mdk
us.klt
vmlinuz@
vmlinuz2@
vmlinuz-2.6.3-4mdk
vmlinuz-2.6.5*
vmlinuz.old@

Your menu. lst says 2.2.6 but the image is 2.6.6
Correct, reboot and post results.

change your name
 

dummy does not suit you.... and I need it!!

Thanks, got it in one! Now I get the kernel panic error thing!

Jim

ok.. I know that 27 kernels is a little too much... but must people dont need to go so far.. I just dont want any little thing that my kernel does not need on it. ;) now take that and add up that I ma a noob too.. well...

Anyways...
To configure my kernel I use;~$ make xconfig
Is the Qt interface, I can tell you how I do it there, only. :/

a) You can not compile 'in' the kernel if sumting above in the tree is a module. (most of the time)

b) in that interface, a dot means module, a 'check' means IN the kernel.

What you need 'IN' the kernel is;
Your PCI devices. The PCI hub, and anything that leads to 'reading your HD'
Your basic 'filesystem' (ext2, ext3), other fs as NTFS, or vfat can be modules.
Your vid cards (VGA, SVGA, and a specific one 'if' it is listed)
The partition systems (depending what was used to partition your HD's)
Input devices (Keyboard, mice)
Console graphic support.

The rest can be modules.
Compiling this way you dont need a ram disk, so no initrm should be selected. initrd is only necesary for installation disks and stuff like that.

Ram disk is found in the tree:
Device drivers> Block Devices> RAM Disk Support (yes) > Initial RAM Disk (initrd) Support (NO)

Note: make sure that :
Graphics support > Virtual Frame buffer (is a BIG NO) (otherwise you wont see any text at kernel boot)

Dont edit GRUB menu.lst by hand.
It is easier to type: ~$ update-grub ;) after each new kernel

will gconfig work ?
 

Thanks for this. So far I've used gconfig, only because I"ve downloaded and installed QT but never got it to work. If my understanding is correct these things should all end up with the same .config file? Perhaps they don't I'll follow your instructions with gconfig... unless you want to help me wrestle with QT. It too is likely somethign simple.

Thanks a bunch BTW. It must be ealy in CO.

JIM

For fsck sakes, 27 kernels and a newb .. me thinks not ...

Tried this as best I could and still no luck, kernel panic!

Ideas?

Thanks

Jim

kernel panic can be caused by different reason, and the kernel has sooo may options... hard to list them all here, do you have soem instant messenger service ?

Just installed the GTK interface to see how different it is, but is just the same as the Qt one (but uglyer :P )

where you select sumting with a dash is going to be compiled as module, a check is IN the kernel.

I could give you a copy of my ".config" file if you want.

.config would be great
 

I did manage to get xconfig to work as well... so something accomplished. Yes I would love to have a look at your .config file. I've tried many different options but still no luck.

I expect that .config files are hardware specific and what I don't know is if something is suficiently unusual on mine to cause problems. It is a stock HP notebook and originally mdk installed fine, Knoppix also finds everything and starts perfectly so I don't think there is anything particularly unusual.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

I just sent a copy to you of my .config file.

Consider the following:
It is a simple plain text file (natural state)
You can open it with your 'gconfig' interface.
This is a desktop PC.
The kernel have a couple HP specific features.

You will need to customize it acording to your hardware.
Is not intended for you to compile it, is just for you to ONLY 'look' at it to give you an idea.

Sucess!!
 

Yipppeee, now who's the happy boy!

Thanks for this, made a couple of changes from your file and it runs.....

I lost my mouse and keyboard but think I can fix that and carry one

Thankyou very much, this was a god send.

Best Regards

Jim

Hi Qucho,

Thanks for this and it was a big help. The machine boots quite well except I don't have a mouse or keyboard. In previous kernels I had an option something like ps/aux and it worked very well for both the touchpad on the notebook and the usb logictech mouse/keyboard when it was attached. I don't see this option in this version of .config. Where do these different options in the .config setup come from and is it possible to add this ps/aux options somehow?

Thanks to anyone who can suggest.

Jim

Well.. if you used 'my' .config without througfully modifications acording to your hardware, could be the reson of your mouse not working, but here is some hints.


My USB is: UHCI (this is in the USB section of the kernel)

You need to see what yours is (UHCI or OHCI) if any.

USB HID Boot Protocol drivers (NONE checked)

What about the BIOS support ? did you modify acordly to your hardware ?

This is in: Device Drivers > Mapping drivers... > Intel....

G... the list can be long :p

You have intel or AMD ?

If I had full specs from your comp, I coul prolly tell you the necesary modifications.

right on !
 

Thanks again,

Noticed the AMD choice, and mine is Intel.

I got the mouse and keyboard sorted out, and as you say it prefers ohci.

The disk I'm still working on, is an external HDD with both USB and 1394 connection. I would prefer to get 1394 working but no luck so far.

It also doesn't find my sound card so will have to wrestle with that one a little.


I think I did change the bios and turned off a few things that were not sensible for my hardware. It works much better now.

I must deal with other work crises right now but will get back to it tonight.

Help is very much appreciated.

Jim

could you send me acopy of your config, Qucho? (my email

coindood,

The file has been sent to you. :)