Updates, versions and kernal panic

[linkersun]

Hi,

I installed Red Hat ES3, another application that needed to be installed required "a later build" - I updated the system from the Red Hat updates site - all good.

When I now boot I get the following choices:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-40.EL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-40.ELsmp)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-4.EL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-4.ELsmp)

By default Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-40.ELsmp) is selected on boot, however if this option is chosen its starts booting but then get: Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 00:00

Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-4.EL) & Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-4.ELsmp) does allow me to boot OK.

My questions are as follows:
1) Why do I get the kernel panic on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-40.EL) & Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (2.4.21-40.ELsmp) options?

2) What is the difference between the ELsmp & EL options

3) Is the -40. not a "later" build to the -4. and therefore a more suitable environment to boot into

4) Assuming it is best to boot into the -4. environments how do I edit the start screen to remove the undesired options or get the default option to be the one that will boot into the correct environment.

A lot of questions I know, any advice is most welcome.

Thanks, Linkersun



:confused:

[je_fro]

have a look at /boot/grub/grub.conf for answers.....

[linkersun]

Thanks Je_fro,

That answers (4) - any feedback on the other points?

Do I just comment out the entries in grub.conf that I do not want to display?

Thnaks L

[je_fro]

well, yes, comment anything you don't want displayed. but also look for differences on the "kernel: lines. If you didn't recompile the old kernel, chances are that something in grub.conf is making it unbootable.

[linkersun]

Thnaks je_fro,

I am not sure I am up to recompiling old kernals..... I may just stick to the environment I can boot into - unless you have a link to some info about the recompilation of the info.

Thanks, L

[je_fro]

what I'm saying is that perhaps your upgrade has modified grub.conf to make the old kernels unbootable for some reason...