Kernel Panic can't boot

UniXFedora · 10-07-2008, 06:49 PM

I just installed Slackware 12.1, but when I boot up I get this message
Kernel panic-not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on Unknown-block(253,0)
I know that this problem is common, but I have not seen I solution yet can someone please help me with this.

jailbait · 10-07-2008, 07:03 PM

Kernel Panic is Linux's "I give up" message. You should find some indication of what caused the panic in the 10 to 12 lines just before the kernel panic message. Could you post those lines.

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Steve Stites

UniXFedora · 10-07-2008, 07:30 PM

I think this has something to do with it

Code:

VFS: Cannot open root device "fd00" or unknown block (253,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions
0300   4194302 hda driver: ide-cdrom
0800 117220824 sda driver: sd
0801       200781 sda1
0802  117017460 sda2

niels.horn · 10-07-2008, 08:11 PM

Fascinating! (yes, I'm an old Star Trek - TOS fan...)

Are you using the 'huge' kernel or did you already (try to) change to the generic kernel?
On which partition did you install Slackware ?
Did you change anything in lilo.conf, or was it the automatic install?

Bill-Hamman · 10-09-2008, 09:04 AM

I had a similar problem Yesterday...

I original configured LILO to dual boot XP & SW, but due to space restriction, I had to wipe the windows partion. I removed all the partitions, and created new ones (Linux & Swap) and installed it. After the install, I had my old LILO bootscreen back, with the options to boot Windows or Slackware...

I tried to boot SW, but received the same message you are getting now.

This led me to believe that the problem stems from the MBR (Master Boot Record).. So, I booted from my SW disk, ran cfdisk, and wrote the partions again, then ran fdisk, trashed and created a new MBR, and reinstalled.

This solved my problem, perhaps it will work for you 2..

T3slider · 10-09-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UniXFedora

I think this has something to do with it

Code:

VFS: Cannot open root device "fd00" or unknown block (253,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions
0300   4194302 hda driver: ide-cdrom
0800 117220824 sda driver: sd
0801       200781 sda1
0802  117017460 sda2

That suggests, to me at least, that your lilo.conf file is incomplete or incorrect. Based on your partition layout, there should be a

Code:

root=sda

line somewhere in your /etc/lilo.conf file (near the top). I'm not at my Linux box right now, so I can't check my lilo.conf file to give more information than that. However, I would advise booting into your system using the install CD/DVD (it suggests a line to boot your system 'in a pinch'. Use that line instead of just pressing enter. Change the location of your hard drive partition appropriately, considering that your root partition is either /dev/sda1 or /dev/sda2). Then, you can edit /etc/lilo.conf (or issue `liloconfig` as root), make the desired changes, and then write to the MBR by issuing `lilo` as root.