Bootloader fails to get updated when OS is upgraded from SLES10 SP2 to SP3

This document (7004838) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment


SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 3

Situation

SLES 10 SP2 is installed on a system using the Dell Systems Build and Update Utility (SBUU) media. Then this system is upgraded to SLES10 SP3. While installing the boot loader at the end of the upgrade the installer complains about a failure to update the boot loader.

After completing the upgrade to SP3, when the system tries to boot it fails with the following message:
graphics file "(hd0,0)/boot/message" missing, press a key to continue

Resolution

The cause of this issue is code in RootPart.ycp that doesn't properly account for the EVMS partition. The code reads fstab and then sets the mount point of the device "LABEL=boot_3211" to "/boot". But there are two devices with the same label and the wrong one gets selected.

The solution is to avoid the problem by doing the upgrade using Yast2 Package Manager as given in the steps below:
1. Add the SP3 installation media as installation source using "yast2 inst_source."
2. Upgrade all the packages using "yast2 sw_single". This can be done by selecting the Packages menu in the Yast2 Package Manager.
3. The title in the GRUB entry will still be listed as SP2. Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and change the title from SP2 to SP3.


Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7004838
  • Creation Date: 09-Nov-2009
  • Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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