Hi all,

Since I do not often have to deal with my Pi 3 (only personal and basic use), I totally forgot how to perform upgrades.

I upgraded 14.2 to the latest using slackpkg via ssh, but kernel-headers.
Rebooted and could not find my USB thumb drive (not showing with lsblk).
Ok, I compiled and installed new kernel using this https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/linux/kernel/building.md
as said here http://docs.slackware.com/howtos:hardware:arm:raspberrypi3

Ultimately, had a doubt : installed kernel headers. Busted. Can't boot anymore.

Do I have a simple way to modify the SD card on my laptop or am I good to go with fresh install?

(I'd prefer to fix it since I am sure I would miss something if I try to use the config backups for ssh, apache, owncloud, fail2ban and so on...)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Tonus,

Backup all the files in your /boot directory first.

Easy attempt at a quick fix... download boot-firmware package and copy the files over to your microSD card: http://sarpi.fatdog.eu/index.php?p=downloads

You might want to grab the kernel package too. Whenever I have issues booting the rpis this usually works to get me to a point where I can work on the system.

Let me know if you have any further problem(s).

Btw - upgrading, installing or removing the kernel-headers package alone, shouldn't have any effect on the ability to boot - only to compile some software.

Just to satisfy curiosity, did you cross-compile the kernel you built?

I'm assuming it's a bum kernel, that or the firmware is FUBAR.

I can't try to fix that right now. Will have to wait a bit 😑

Thank you both.

@drmozes That's almost why I did the upgrade (if it's shown while there's no kernel package, it couldn't be that bad)

@Penthux I compiled it on the rpi3 (everything done as root but I can't see why it could harm)

I have to be completely honest and admit I've only ever used those official RPi Documentation pages for specific information and reference, as and when I needed it. I've never actually gone through the whole process of following the instructions within. If I find some time to waste I might just try their guides to see how much of a headache it gives me.

Thanks for your replies.

So did that with quite no luck. Kernel might be borked.

The green light seems to flash ok but I can't ssh to the pi...

Might have to investigate how to manually put there the kernel I've downloaded...

The kernel, and boot-firmware, needs to be in your /boot directory.

I tested with old kernels with no luck for ssh but it actually boots : I have plugged it to a TV screen and it shows errors usb related (where my /home used to be.
Unfortunately I don't have any TV or usb keyboard to deal with that atm. Still have to check if the usb drive fs is altered.

I'll soon be able to fix. Or / and go with the new rpi4 (on its way :-) )

Thanks again, I'll write back here how it goes.

It seems that my usb thumb drive where I had my home directory is dead
Not even recognized by my laptop (lsblk shows nothing). I wonder why and how I could try to recover some of the files on it.
Shall I do something special in fstab to have the next one last longer?

Some USB storage devices are better designed than others. I can't advise you on which USB thumb drives are more durable or have a greater longevity. I use PNY and Kingston branded USB memory sticks, but not for storing file systems or important data on.

Some say don't use a /swap file as that really decreases the life of the digital storage medium. Some say allowing the USB thumb drives ro run hot will also decrease their lifespan.

I'd say a better solution would be to use an external HDD or SSD where they're not as prone to dying on you when you least expect it.

Hope this helps.