I just completing LFS 6.1 using the LFS 6.1 LiveCD. I followed the instructions directly from the book (pretty much copying-and-pasting with modifications as appropriate). When I select LFS 6.1 from the Grub Menu upon boot up, it begins to boot normally (alot of information flushed to the screen, nothing out-of-the-ordinary compared to my other LFS 6.1 system). Right after freeing unused kernel memory, I get a message saying "Warning: unable to open an initial console."


I haven't had this problem before, and I have no idea what would possibly have caused this. I will be more than happy to provide any information needed to solve this problem... but after many hours of hardwork- most of you know how frustrating and demoralizing this is.


I would greatly appreciate any help you could give me, thanks

It breaks your heart when it doesn't work first shot doesn't it :'( ?

From this website:

http://www.linuxgazette.com/node/1035

You may need to include console drivers in your kernel...

but from this website too:
http://kerneltrap.org/node/2205

It seams that it can be a variety of problems...

opps mimithebrain beat me too it, anyway best of luck...

Sounds like it could be your kernel configuration, check out this link on kerneltrap.

kerneltrap . org/node/2205

"When you configure the kernel make sure you select Unix pty support. Also in filesystem section select devpts. And you need a line in /etc/fstab something like this:

none /dev/pts devpts mode=0620 0 0"

hope that helps, best of luck.

My guess is that my kernel config is messed up, first I'm making a new "dirty kernel" (ie. use defaults, changing only the pty-related parts), and if it works I'll make a new kernel making sure to set those options first... still very depressing


Note on this tommorow

I have just started a LFS install using LFS 6.1.1-3 LiveCD on a Via EPIA M-10000N.

Is this kernel configuration problem something I should be concerned with. I plan to follow the text on the cd as closely as possible.

Thanks, Jeff

My plan worked. I'm fixed...



jlgreer- This is my second LFS system. the Kernel Configuration is a BIG DEAL and unfortunately the LFS book covers it very lightly. Basically, when you get to that point, the book says "configure it and when you're done move on"


All that is up to you. Given the whole bal blah blah with udev, you might have alot of problems if you misconfigure your kernel (ex: using modules). I'm not expert atthis stuff and neither is alot of us using LFS... but we have to go about blindly using whatever we know. For example, on my first LFS system I managed to get a working kernel without problem- but I did configure it quite a bit! On my seocnd system, I happened to forget some very curcial options concerning PTYs and I got a bad kernel. Everything you know about hardware and Linux comes into play when you configure the kernel. If you are in doubt- at least set up the PTYs under the Character Drivers section. You might also want to optimize the kernel fr your (sub)architecture


Good luck to you! you can message me if you need help, it took me at least 25 times to get my first LFS system working (mostly because I misinterepretted ALOT of things... then because of numerous typos, after which I got the LiveCD and just copied-and-pasted everything with modifications are appropriate)

Glad you made it work! Have fun with LFS!

Thanks, TGWDNGHN

I spent most of the day getting through Chapter 5. I had a few things I had to resolve, but all in all, it went well. Everything tested fine that should have.

I am taking a break and will start chapter 6 either this evening or tomorrow.

I have compiled kernels in the past. Back in the early days of Slackware. I have also managed to get a Gentoo system working.

I started LFS one time before and it went fairly well though not as well as it has with 6.1.1. It seems to be pretty bug free.

I'll probably take you up on your kind offer of help when I get to the kernel configuration section. I'm doing this on a very meager Via M-10000N mini-ITX system. The Neamiah processor is an x86 clone. We'll see how it works.

I hope your holidays are going well. Mine sure are! I'm a school teacher. I really needed a break!

Jeff