notebook tries to boot from usb key but fails :(
Forum: USB booting
Topic: notebook tries to boot from usb key but fails :(
started by: plasmafusion
Posted by plasmafusion on Sep. 29 2005,07:56
hey all 
i'm attempting to get dsl booting from a 512MB usb flash drive.
booted into dsl using the live cd and used "Apps>Tools>Install to USB:HDD" to set up the drive on sda. this process completes fine with no errors and it's when i reboot that i encounter the errors.
with the drive setup by dsl:
at boot the drive hangs displaying
"SYSLINUX 2.04 (Debian, 2003-0606) Copyright © 1994-2003 H. Peter Anvien"
and goes no further...i don't even get a prompt.
so i downloaded the latest version of syslinux (3.11) and replaced syslinux.cfg using the command "syslinux.exe g:" in xp.
when i try to boot now i get the message
"could not find kernel image:linux
boot:"
now i'm not an expert at such things but i tried a few commands and the only one i had partial success with was typing "linux24" at the prompt.
this starts to boot (and my happiness levels soared) but after a few seconds halts with the error...
"VFS: Cannot open root device "" or 03:01 please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic:VFS:Unable to mount root fs on 03:01"
any help anyone could give would be much appreciated. i've been trying to get this working for days and am close to the end of my tether
i could be doing something very stupid and am blissfully unaware of it. is the newer version of syslinux the way to go or are there other routes to take?cheers
Posted by plasmafusion on Sep. 29 2005,10:42
right...i tried the instructions at < usb keyfob > and have got a bit further.i now am greeted by the dsl boot prompt and hit enter to start the boot. mr penguin shows up at the top left of the screen but before the "welcome to dsl" bit shows (as it does with the live cd) i get "kernel panic: VFS : Unable to mount root fs on 03:01"
i tried changing the permissions of /knoppix/knoppix to 755 as i'd heard somewhere but this helps but still the same thing happens. also mentioned was disabling support for usb 2.0 but there is no option for this in the bios of my notebook (asus a4000).
anyone shed any light on this error?
cheers