Problem:

Solution:

HOWTO:

1. If you need to simply boot your machine, and you know your root partition is ok:
   
   
   
   1. First, find a RedHat Disc I install cd. This does not have to match the version of RedHat you have installed. This way you will boot into single user mode to fix LILO or to create a boot floppy for your specific kernel.
   2. Make sure your CD-ROM device is set to be logically before your hard drive in the BIOS boot order, then boot your system with the CD.
   3. At the boot: prompt, type in:

boot: linux root=/dev/XXXX single initrd=

Where /dev/XXXX is your root partition device. For example: /dev/hda2 (IDE) or /dev/sda3 (SCSI). If you are unsure, then it doesn't hurt to guess... For example, if you know it's an IDE, then you can try a few until you get it right. If you get it wrong, your kernel will simply panic when it can't find your root partition.
   4. You will most likely have a few [Failed] lines. This is becaue the kernel on the CD is different from the one your system expects.
      
      Once your system boots into single user mode, you can edit your /etc/lilo.conf file or create a boot disk with /sbin/mkbootdisk --device /dev/fd0 `uname -r`, so you can fully boot your system.
2. If your system is damaged to the point where it won't boot at all from the method above, then you can do a full "Rescue" boot:
   
   
   1. Again, put in your CD, then at the boot: prompt, type:

boot: linux rescue


   2. When Linux (from the CD) comes up, you will have a basic set of commands to work with. If you are using RedHat >= 7.1 then the /mnt/sysimage directory will automatically have all your partitions mounted that it found.
   3. What you do from here depends on your problem. It is recommended to contact helpdesk@pa.msu.edu for assistance.

Tip by: Nicholas J Kreucher Updated: 2007.11.28 (Wednesday) Eastern Daylight Time