Kernel Panic after kompiling new kernel on Debian etch

[kang157]

I am running Debian etch with the kernel 2.6.18-4-686 installed.

cs12:~# linuxinfo
Linux cs12 2.6.18-4-686 #1 SMP Mon Mar 26 17:17:36 UTC 2007
Eight Intel Unknown 1596MHz processors, 25539.67 total bogomips, 3291M RAM
System library 2.3.6

The hardware are:
2x Xeon QuadCore
5GIG RAM
S-ATA disk

The problem is that it only supports up to 4GIG ram so I recompiled the kernel with 2.6.20.7, this kernel works fine for me on other servers, but on this one i get this message on boot:

"/sbin/init/ 432: cannot open dev/console no such file
kernel panic - -not syncing : attemted to kill init."

Any ideas? Or is there a way to install large memory support to the kernel that comes with the installation of debian etch?

[antidrugue]

Or is there a way to install large memory support to the kernel that comes with the installation of debian etch?

I think you are looking for the package linux-image-686-bigmem (which is a virtual package depending on the latest linux-image-2.6.18-4-686-bigmem kernel), which provides support for up to 64G of RAM.

[kang157]

Thanks, but still I want to kompile my own kernel..

I tried something new when I compiled, but not it says

waiting 2 seconds for sda1
waiting 4 seconds for sda1
waiting 8 seconds...


GRRRR:.

[antidrugue]

Which version of the kernel are you trying to compile?

Keep in mind that the whole IDE/SATA struture of the kernel changed in kernels 2.6.19 and up. Also, are you using an initrd?

I wrote a small tutorial here, perhaps it can give you an idea or two:
http://technowizah.com/2005/12/debia...l-compile.html

[kang157]

I had to add the SATA modules.. :s doh.. thanks anyway..