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Cannot open root device ""error

February 20, 2005 - 2:08pm
Submitted by q0v0p on February 20, 2005 - 2:08pm.
Linux

Hi,

I hope someone here might be able to help me with this problem.
I'm trying to install Fedora Core 3 on a computer that currently runs Windows XP Pro:
>-professional workstation ap 550
>-866 mhz
>-512 mb ram
>-17 gb scsi 10 k rpm
>-cd-rom + floppy drive
>-3 labs oxygen gvxl 32 mb

I get this error:
crc error
VFS: Cannot open root device "<NULL>" or unknown-block(8,3)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernelpanic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(8,3)

I'm new to linux, and through google I found similar error messages appearing in posts on this forum, but not during new installations.
Is there a way to get around it or to solve it.

thank you so much for your help.
jarra

error - "not syncing: vfs: unable to mount root fs"

July 19, 2005 - 11:49am
oddmanout (not verified)

I got the same exact error!
No worries! There is a way past it.

Just enter "aasdfds" or some other garbage first at the boot prompt and press ENTER. Then enter any options you need, if you need to and press ENTER, or just press ENTER without any options to load the installation/upgrade.

It's pretty simple really. I think the fedora people just wanted to see if we'd get made enough at our computer to enter garbage and then just load the CD/DVD. Those that do get in.

This works.

August 15, 2005 - 3:46am
Ashwin (not verified)

This works.

error - "not syncing: vfs: unable to mount root fs"

October 11, 2005 - 6:53pm
hornet (not verified)

I have to admit, initially I thought this was a ridiculous solution to the same problem I'm having with installing FC4 over RH9.

But I tried it anyway and guess what - you were right!

Thanks!

:) Same here ... I actual

November 14, 2005 - 1:25pm
Rickdek (not verified)

:)
Same here ...
I actually dont know what to say .... So simple

Works for me too in FC4

November 19, 2005 - 10:33am
Enric Naval (not verified)

It also worked for me when installing Fedora Core 4, on dual core Intel Xeon.

this is crazy

December 4, 2005 - 1:40am
Anonymous (not verified)

I have been trying for several hours to get fedora core 4 to install and sure enough I typed in 'linux aasdfds' or something similar and it worked. This has got to be the strangest fix I have ever seen in my life! Before that it just kept saying 'Cannot open root device "NULL" or unknown-block'

Travis

Thanks from me too

December 12, 2005 - 12:01pm
Anonymous (not verified)

I want to thanks you, you have solved my problem in few minutes, just time needed to run google

/boggle it worked . . . who w

January 12, 2006 - 2:28pm
Anonymous (not verified)

/boggle it worked . . . who would have thunk it

hmmmm. what?? :)

January 24, 2006 - 4:46am
Anonymous (not verified)

OK guys, Im havn the same issue im gona try this too, I let ya know ho it goes----.....

cannot open root device

March 20, 2006 - 9:01am

Hi,
I have same problem installing FC4 on an intel sever board. I tried putting "linux+" on boot: and it worked once. Then this "magic" dissapeared. Does some one have any idea about this ?.
Thanks !.

Increible pero real. Muchas G

April 5, 2006 - 1:57am
Pichis (not verified)

Increible pero real. Muchas Gracias.
Mariano de Argentina

too bad it doesn't work for S

April 16, 2006 - 8:54pm
Anonymous (not verified)

too bad it doesn't work for SuSE 10. :(

suse 10 VFS: Cannot open root device "" or unknown-block(3

August 28, 2006 - 4:35pm
Wang (not verified)

I managed to get round this error by installing SUSE Linux 10 in text mode.
At first screen press F3 twice, select TEXT MODE and then select installation and follow prompts.
At long last I have SUSE LINUX 10 installed.

Hope this works for you

Kernelpanic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unkno

May 24, 2007 - 7:04am
toofrac (not verified)

Reset the bios to defaults.
Reran installation.
Worked like a dream.
Try it

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