kernel + init

[KernelPanic]

I just compiled a new (well only 2.4.18) kernel and it seem to be booting fine until it cant find init. It suggested to pass init= to the kernel. So I added init=/sbin/init to my grub file but I had the same problem again.
I think I have done the init= bit wrong.
using RH8.0

[voidmain]

Actually you shouldn't need the "init=" line. What you most likely have wrong is you don't have the boot (/boot) or root (/) partitions right. On my setup I have this:

Code: [Select]

The "root (hd0,2)" is actually the partition where the kernel and boot loader reside and happens to be my "/boot" partition on /dev/hda3 which = (hd0,2).  That tells grub where the kernel is. The kernel is passed parameters to know where the root (/) partition is "root=LABEL=/". In my case I have my file system on "/dev/hda7" labeled "/" so the kernel knows that the file system labeled "/" is to become the root file system. I could also have used "root=/dev/hda7" and it should work.  You can check the label of the filesystem by typing "/sbin/tune2fs -l /dev/hda7 | grep volume".

So to summarize, use the "root (hdx,x)" in grub.conf to specify the partition that your "/boot" directory resides. Then pass the location of your root (/) partition to the kernel as a parameter.

[ October 19, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[Master of Reality]

ummm.... dont you have to set
init=/boot/initrd (or just the /initrd if grub is using boot as root (if you have boot on a separate partition)).

[Master of Reality]

damn you void main!!!  

[voidmain]

I just edited my message (the original reply to the first message) because I originally had it horribly wrong. It should be accurate now. And you only need the "initrd" line if in fact you use an "initrd" file. It usually isn't necessary unless you have SCSI drives.

[ October 19, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[Master of Reality]

so... I was right.... cool (reminds me of all the times i gave people directions even though i didnt know where they were going)

[ October 19, 2002: Message edited by: The Master of Reality / Bob ]

[KernelPanic]

my GRUB file reads:

title Red Hat Linux (2.4.18)
        root (hd0,2)
        kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.18 ro root=LABEL=/ hdb=ide-scsi
        initrd /initrd-2.4.18.img

Which *should* be right, unfortunately it still complains.

[Master of Reality]

quote:Originally posted by Tux:
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.18 ro root=LABEL=/ hdb=ide-scsi

that bolded part isnt correct (is it?)

[voidmain]

That should be correct as long as his root file system is "labeled" as "/" and you don't have more than one file system labeled as "/". You have to use the tunefs command to see the label as I mentioned. Is the name of the kernel correct and reside in /boot?

Otherwise try changing the "root=LABEL=/" to "root=/dev/hda?" depending on which parition contains your root file system.

Also, make sure your /etc/fstab file is correct which shouldn't come into account until the kernel remounts the root file system for rw.

[ October 19, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[KernelPanic]

It wouldnt be on any other distro, but redhat is wacky....

[voidmain]

Well there are advantages to using LABEL rather than the device path. Have you tried using the device path? Either way should work.