[SOLVED] error: invalid magic number on kernel loading

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Hello everyone

I'm in trouble with new kernel compile.
I'm using kernel 5.4.48-gentoo-x86_64 and all working fine.
Using the same configuration (I have copied .config of the older kernel in new source directory and run "make syncconf") I have compiled today the new source 5.4.60.
Compile phase finish without any error (I used "genkernel --xconfig --clean all"), in boot directory I find the new initamfs and vmlinuz files.
When I restart the system, If in grub I select the new kernel the system halted with message

error: invalid magic number
error: initramfs, load kernel before

I read another post about a similar problem (https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-1084672-highlight-invalid+magic+number.html), but I have not understand the solution.

Any suggestion?

eccerr0r · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2020 3:19 pm Post subject:

How are you configuring your grub?
What file did you use for your kernel and initramfs?
_________________
Intel Core i7 2700K/Radeon R7 250/24GB DDR3/256GB SSD
What am I supposed watching?

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Which genkernel version are you using? If you are using genkernel-4.1.1, please upgrade to 4.1.2 and retry.
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

My grub is configured to load initram and kernel generated by genkernel.
genkernel is the version 4.1.0-r2
I use to move generated kernel and initramfs files in tree directory from /boot:

old (previous compiled kernel files)
default (actual functioning kernel)
test (new kernel)

in each directory there is:
vmlinuz-genkernel-x86_64-<version>
initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-<version>
Systemmap-genkernel-<version>.map
kernel-config-<version>

in /boot directory I create two group of symbolik link:
initramfs-x86_64-1_old -> linked to initramfs in old directory
initramfs-x86_64-2_tst -> linked to initramfs in test directory
initramfs-x86_64-3_dfl -> linked to initramfs in default directory

kernel-x86_64-1_old, 2_tst, 3_dfl with the same philosophy as the previous tree link

System.map linked to default directory System.map

My system is my working laptop, and is running since 4 years ago with gentoo (dell precision M4800)

Thanks a lot for your replies

Tony0945 · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 1:50 pm Post subject:

All of that can be automated with a script, eliminating mistakes in typing.
IIRC genkernel will update grub for you, so your script needn't do that.
I always recommend enabling IKCONFIG IKCONFIG_PROC in the kernel so that the running configuration can be retrieved unambiguously.

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Now I have tried to recompile my kernel with genkernel-4.1.2, but the result not changed.

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Do you build kernel and initramfs with genkernel or do you build kernel manually? Please also show /var/log/genkernel.log...

Get a debug shell in genkernel and run "gksosreport" and show us that file.
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

I build all with genkernel.

How can I show you genkernel.log (it is very huge)

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Use services like https://transfer.sh/
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Ok

I used transfer.sh
The link is
https://transfer.sh/%28/Q385Q/genkernel.log%29.tar.gz

thanks

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

First, genkernel.log is not really the interesting log file in your case for now because generation didn't fail for you.

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Thanks Whissi

The method I used for configuring new kernel from previous kernel version source is explained in Gentoo wiki for kernel update (probably my english is not so good, and my explaination is not correct).
Typically I using genkernel --xconfig --clean all and I always check basic kernel configuration before compilation phase, and it seems to be correct.

I think the problem is not in initramfs file, but in vmlinuz. How can I run gksosreport, it is not and application installed in my system.

Now I try to run genkernel --kernel-config=/proc/config.gz all and then I try to reboot my system.

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

"gksosreport" is part of genkernel's initramfs. I.e. in case genkernel's initramfs will fail to boot your system you can start a rescue shell and call that command.
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

I try new kernel generated by genkernel --kernel-config=/proc/config.gz all, but nothing change

I think the problem is in vmlinuz, initramfs is not loaded, so I can't run gksosreport.

The message reported at boot is:

Loading Linux x86_64-3_dfl ...
error: invalid magic number
Loading initial ramdisk ...
error: you need to load the kernel first.

Press any key to continue...

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Which bootloader are you using? For grub, please show us /boot/grub/grub.cfg...
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

I use grub2

this is my grub.cfg https://transfer.sh/%28%29.tar.gz

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

That tar file is empty.
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Sorry

permission problem....

Try this
https://transfer.sh/%28%29.tar.gz

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
set default="${next_entry}"
set next_entry=
save_env next_entry
set boot_once=true
else
set default="${saved_entry}"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function load_video {
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
insmod all_video
else
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod ieee1275_fb
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod jfs
set root='hd0,msdos7'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos7 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos7 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos7 3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006
fi
font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
set gfxmode=1920x1080,1440x900,1280x800,1024x600,auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
insmod png
background_image -m stretch /grub/mybackground.png
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
set timeout_style=menu
set timeout=3
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
set timeout=3
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
savedefault
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-3_dfl ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro resume=/dev/sda5 quiet splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Gentoo GNU/Linux' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-3_dfl' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-3_dfl-advanced-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
savedefault
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-3_dfl ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro resume=/dev/sda5 quiet splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl
}
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-3_dfl (recovery mode)' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-3_dfl-recovery-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-3_dfl ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro single resume=/dev/sda5
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl
}
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-2_tst' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-2_tst-advanced-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
savedefault
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-2_tst ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro resume=/dev/sda5 quiet splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst
}
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-2_tst (recovery mode)' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-2_tst-recovery-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-2_tst ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro single resume=/dev/sda5
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst
}
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-1_old' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-1_old-advanced-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
savedefault
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-1_old ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-1_old root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro resume=/dev/sda5 quiet splash
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-1_old
}
menuentry 'Gentoo GNU/Linux, with Linux x86_64-1_old (recovery mode)' --class gentoo --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-x86_64-1_old-recovery-3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006' {
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos6'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos6 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos6 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 48f55fb2-f9e9-404c-9916-8a1c09ab9030
fi
echo 'Loading Linux x86_64-1_old ...'
linux /kernel-genkernel-x86_64-1_old root=UUID=3e5f2da8-79d5-4cff-99cc-5fcc68cfa006 ro single resume=/dev/sda5
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-1_old
}
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'Windows 10 (on /dev/sda2)' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-AE52157E52154C89' {
savedefault
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='hd0,msdos2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos2 AE52157E52154C89
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root AE52157E52154C89
fi
parttool ${root} hidden-
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Note: In your first posting you mentioned

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Sorry

In my first post I used a simplified sintax. The filenames are correct in grub.cfg.
I tried command that you suggest before opening this post

The filename that compare in grub.cfg are symbolik link to initramfs-genkernel-<version>.img and corresponding kernel file
I don't know if it is usefull, this is my actual /boot directory:

drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Aug 31 21:15 default
drwxr-xr-x 6 root root 4096 Aug 29 13:05 grub
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 38 Aug 28 19:15 initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-1_old -> old/initramfs-5.4.48-gentoo-x86_64.img
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 39 Jul 17 11:22 initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst -> test/initramfs-5.4.48-gentoo-x86_64.img
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 42 Aug 28 19:43 initramfs-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl -> default/initramfs-5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64.img
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 32 Aug 28 19:15 kernel-genkernel-x86_64-1_old -> old/vmlinuz-5.4.48-gentoo-x86_64
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 33 Jul 17 11:22 kernel-genkernel-x86_64-2_tst -> test/vmlinuz-5.4.48-gentoo-x86_64
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 42 Aug 28 19:43 kernel-genkernel-x86_64-3_dfl -> default/kernel-config-5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Aug 28 19:14 old
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 39 Aug 28 19:43 System.map -> default/System.map-5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jul 17 11:23 test

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

I am kind of lost here. Don't get me wrong here but you are doing advanced stuff and I am not sure you understand what you are doing. I cannot help you with that.

All I can tell you:

If you manage to get genkernel's initramfs loaded (you will see that on boot when initramfs will print you name and version) and it will fail, genkernel's initramfs will offer you to enter rescue shell. If you enter rescue shell you can use "gksosreport" to get further help. If you don't see such a prompt that is another indicator that you don't use genkernel's initramfs.

But at the moment it sounds like your problem is that you do not boot genkernel's initramfs at all so this is not a genkernel problem.

So I recommend you to go back one step and follow handbook step by step. Build both, kernel and initramfs with genkernel (genkernell --kernel-config=/path/to/your/desired/kernel.config all) and tell bootloader to boot that image and initramfs. I am pretty sure that this will work when you use a working kernel config (for example /proc/config.gz from current running kernel).
_________________
Regards,
Whissi

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Sorry Whissi. You have to be patience with me. I'm an old linux users (it is since 1994 that I recompile linux kernel source as hobbyist user), and a lot my solution it is not so "classical", but trust me, all are running and functional.
My problem is not in initramfs, initramfs is not loaded because vmlinuz (loaded before initramfs) is not recognized as right kernel file.
I don't know why.
If I run "file /boot/default/vmlinuz..." this is the result:
# file /boot/default/vmlinuz-5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64
/boot/default/vmlinuz-5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64: Linux kernel x86 boot executable bzImage, version 5.4.60-gentoo-x86_64 (root@ganimede) #1 SMP PREEMPT Mon Aug 31 20:59:27 CEST 2020, RO-rootFS, swap_dev 0x6, Normal VGA

Now I try to clear my /boot partition (all link and directory old, test and default), launch your suggested command (genkernel --kernel-config=/proc/config.gz all) then grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub.cfg and then reboot my system.

wait a moment and then I write the result

alessio_demarchi · n00b Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 36

Ok.
I don't know why, but now it is working.
I have cleared my /boot directory (copied my old functioning kernels file), copy /boot/default/vmlinuz..., initramfs.. and System.map-genkernel.. in /boot.
Run grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Reboot.
And now my new kernel is running.

Whissi thank a lot. For your patience and competence.

How can I mark as solved this topic?

Whissi · Retired Dev Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 222

Glad you sorted the issue.

Next to your first posting you should find an "EDIT" button which will allow you to change title to add "SOLVED" I think.
_________________
Regards,
Whissi