I am unable to boot Ubuntu 10.04, with the built in boot shell giving out this error:
Gave up waiting for root device. Common problems:
— Boot args (cat /proc/cmdline)
— Check rootdelay= (did the system wait long enough?)
— Check root= (did the system wait for the right device?)
— Missing modules (cat /proc/modules; ls /dev)
ALERT! /dev/disk/by-uuid/aa91b9fe-1e27-44d7-9c1b-72dd7d4e8575 does not exist.
Dropping to a shell!
BusyBox v.1.13.3 (Ubuntu 1:1.13.3-1ubuntu11) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for list of built-in commands.
(initramfs)
Update 1
This error occurred after I updated my 2.6.32-26
version kernel and booted directly in Windows.
The rootdelay solution did not work. Is there any chance that my disk's uuid got changed (maybe by windows), I could log in to my Ubuntu earlier but after logging into windows, and rebooting I get this error. As far as backing up is concerned, do I need to even if I have separate home and workspace partitions than Ubuntu installation?
Update 2
The update after which this happened was just an update (no new install) of version 2.6.32-26.
So I guess this has something to do with last update of this version of kernel. Also since it was not a new install, no new menu entry was added. By any chance may this be caused because of my rebooting in Windows after the kernel update.
Update 3
Installed older kernel by chrooting through live USB, still the same problem with the kernel, so it seems the problem is not due to kernel update after all.
I have faced this problem earlier too but back then, I just considered reinstalling distribution easier (I used to distro switch a lot). But now I had configured it too far and so looking for some last resort.
Update 4
Reinstalled Ubuntu. Configuration was easier this time thanks to separate home and workspace partitions. Even tough I don't need the solution of this problem just now but if you know any possible solution please post here for future benefit.