kernel panic:VFS:unable to mount root fs on 08:03

[ventallo]

Hi, I was trying to install knoppix in my old PC Server 325 dual pentium pro 180 with 128 Ram and 2 Hard disk (2,2 Gb anf 3,2 Gb).
The installation finished with no problems, but when the system starts to boot, it stoops with:
"kernel panic:VFS:unable to mount root fs on 08:03".
Can anybody help me?
Thanks in Advance.

[aay]

Hi, I was trying to install knoppix in my old PC Server 325 dual pentium pro 180 with 128 Ram and 2 Hard disk (2,2 Gb anf 3,2 Gb).
The installation finished with no problems, but when the system starts to boot, it stoops with:
"kernel panic:VFS:unable to mount root fs on 08:03".
Can anybody help me?
Thanks in Advance.

From a previous message:

This is from the doc section on this site - from the cheat codes (which specify different boot options).

"mem=128M
Specify Memory size in MByte, Some Boards apparently don't pass the proper memory size to the linux-kernel. It may cause the message "Panic cannot mount root file system" and the system hangs. Use "knoppix mem=128M" to solve that problem if your system has 128MByte memory for example (caution you MUST use a capital "M" here)."

So at the boot screen type:

"knoppix mem=(whatever_your_mem_is)M"

Also make sure that your cd doesn't have errors by typing this at boot: "knoppix testcd" (without the quotes)

[ventallo]

Do you mind explain me how can I put this command in the boot file?
Because this starts automatically and I can't edit this file.
When I put the knoppix cd all runs ok, and the installation in my Hard Disk is ok too.I only have the problem when the boot starts.

[Stephen]

Do you mind explain me how can I put this command in the boot file?
Because this starts automatically and I can't edit this file.
When I put the knoppix cd all runs ok, and the installation in my Hard Disk is ok too.I only have the problem when the boot starts.

Edit the file /etc/lilo.conf you are looking for the append line add mem=128M then save the file and run /sbin/lilo to commit the changes and re-boot. All this as root in a console window. A list of lilo error codes for future reference.

[ventallo]

Thanks for the information that you posted, but I can not edit the lilo.conf file.
I have not permissions for edit this file.I try to do this booting the knoppix cd and then I try to edit this file, but I have not permissions for writte it.
Can anybody help me?
Thanks.

[rickenbacherus]

Boot the disc like this:

boot: knoppix mem=128M plus any other cheat codes you need to boot properly. Then reinstall. You don't have permission to write to the booted cd because it is read only.

[Stephen]

Thanks for the information that you posted, but I can not edit the lilo.conf file.
I have not permissions for edit this file.I try to do this booting the knoppix cd and then I try to edit this file, but I have not permissions for writte it.
Can anybody help me?
Thanks.

If you made a boot floppy when you installed then boot with it and at the boot: prompt then linux mem=128M and enter if the boot is successfull then follow the instructions above to change lilo.conf.

From a cdrom boot:
Open a console window and sudo mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1
then sudo gvim /mnt/hda1/etc/lilo.conf to open lilo for editing and add the mem=128M to the append line and save the file.
then sudo chroot /mnt/hda1 /sbin/lilo -v to commit the changes to lilo and then re-boot.

[ventallo]

Hi Stephen and friends, I've did it, all ok, but when the lilo runs again I have the same problem.
I've edit lilo.conf, I've save it but then stooped with:
apm: BIOS not found.
VFS: cannot open root device 08:03
Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 08:03
I'm desperate with this problem, it's strange because with the boot cd knoppix works with no problems, but when I try to install knoppix in my Hd I've this problems.
Can anybody to said me other solution for solve this problem?
I'll be waiting for any new.
Thanks.

[ventallo]

this is my lilo.conf file


vga=791
# /etc/lilo.conf - See: `lilo(' and `lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- `install-mbr(', `/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and `/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run `lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, `/boot/bootmess.txt', or install a new kernel. The |
# | computer will most likely fail to boot if a kernel-image |
# | post-install script or you don't remember to run `lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# Support LBA for large hard disks.
#
lba32
# Overrides the default mapping between harddisk names and the BIOS'
# harddisk order. Use with caution.
#disk=/dev/hde
# bios=0x81
#disk=/dev/sda
# bios=0x80
# Specifies the boot device. This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block. It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
boot=/dev/sdb
# Specifies the device that should be mounted as root. (`/')
#
root=/dev/sdb2
# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using `compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
#
# compact
# Installs the specified file as the new boot sector
# You have the choice between: bmp, compat, menu and text
# Look in /boot/ and in lilo.conf(5) manpage for details
#
install=/boot/boot-menu.b
# Specifies the location of the map file
#
map=/boot/map
# You can set a password here, and uncomment the `restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an `append'
# statement in `lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like `Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming `root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use `install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM `install-mbr('.
#
# password=tatercounter2000
# Specifies the number of deciseconds (0.1 seconds) LILO should
# wait before booting the first image.
#
delay=20
# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# `prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a `timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. `single-key' goes with the `alias' lines in the
# `image' configurations below. eg: You can press `1' to boot
# `Linux', `2' to boot `LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the `alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt
# prompt
# single-key
# delay=100
# timeout=100
# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The `boot-prompt-HOWO' and `kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel `Documentation' directory.
#
# append="mem=128M"
append="hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce"
# Boot up Linux by default.
#
default=Linux
image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.20-xfs
label=Linux
initrd=/boot/initrd.gz
read-only
# restricted
# alias=1
image=/vmlinuz.old
label=LinuxOLD
read-only
optional
# restricted
# alias=2
# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the `other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3

[RockMumbles]

I see from your lilo.conf file that you've installed to your second scsi drive. What is your exact partition layout on that drive?

As for the mem=128M statement, it should be put in your append line like this:

append="hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce mem=128M"


HTH

rock