I have compiled the latest kernel for a system running Mandrake 7.1, and I have upgraded all the system/software packages in /doc/Changes
(the ones required by this kernel version)
& compiled in all that can matter of filesystems etc.

but I get this error:
kmod: failed to exec /sbin/modprobe -s -k block-major-3 errno=2

VFS: cannot open root device 303 on 03:03

kernel panic VFS: unable to open root fs on 03:03

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

is this block-major thing some module I've forgotten?

anybody know about his?

the kernel fails to boot an ordinary ext2 partition, so this can't be due to patches in the mdk kernel that are not supported in the latest
'vanilla' kernel --??

I'm stuck......

it also says: please give correct "root=" option

and why this 03:03 303 stuff

-->the / partition is /dev/hda3

??????????????????????????????

I would start diagnosing this problem by looking at your bootloader, lilo or grub as the case might be, to see if you told the bootloader where the kernel is, where the / partition is, etc.

ok, thanks, but these messages are kernel output, the kernel is found, it's mounting the root partitition that somehow falls over

but lilo, some parameter or instruction to the kernel is a prime suspect

thanks

/sbin/modprobe -c|grep block-major-3
alias block-major-3 ide-probe-mod


Apparently its a module used to probe/id ide chipsets. You must have either not selected it or the path modprobe has is wrong.

Looks like you missed a few options in your kernel config, or miss configured a few. If you compiled support for the filesystem you use as a module then you can get this error

must be somehing with lilo not being able to tell the kernel
about the partition
this partition was made with an old version of ext2fsprogs, the partttions and part table with Partition Magic 4.0, a bit old now

I´m going to take some space from Messy DOS (M$ Windoze) and make a new part. & put the boot folder there
-make sure i format it with newest ext2fsprog

I dont know abou that block major thing since the 2.2.19 kernel I use doesnt seem to have it included either
anyway i dont get that error message now but it still doesnt boot with 2.4.20
question: where do you select this module in the kernel config?

have fixed all possible config problems

now for lilo.....

new lilo, new partition sounds ok?

last question: does a kernel have to be compiled on the system it is to be used on

can you get problems related to the partition table otherwise

Is there any reason why you can't upgrade to a newer version of mandrake?
To change from a 2.2.xx kernel to 2.4.xx you need to upgrade a lot more than just the kernel, and an upgrade to mandrake 9.1 would be the best alternitive. There have been numerous security updates to all parts of mandrake since 7.1 was current.

well, my machine is a 400 mhz, I like the way the GUI is organized in 7.1 & prefer KDE 1
i use a modem, security considerations dont apply -?
mdk 7.1 is the only distro i can get to run a local dict server

mdk 8.0 and 8.1 were horrible

and I have upgraded all the things the kernel readme tells you to

--and it's a lot of work because i would have to install from scratch

but i suppose i will have to in order to get my tv card and scanner working properly

maybe one last try: follow all recommended steps in installing kernel source....

thanks for response

LAST question: what would be the major minor notation for /dev/hda3 in lilo.conf

-->root partition on an linux extended partition

/dev/hda1 (M$ windoze) /dev/hda2 extended /dev/hda3 etc

that's what the kernel complains about: not being able to open 03:03 or 303

it's been solved, among other things I had ELF, a.out MISC binaries as modules........

thanx for tips it put me on track