Package: initramfs-tools Version: 0.120 I have a rather odd case where update-initramfs sometimes generates good initrds and sometimes it does not. I'm not sure if the bug lies here or in the kernel, but after sinking hours into investigating this issues I'm very confident there is a bug somewhere. I figure I will start with this package and see where we get.
Kernel info, for the record: ----- Linux debian-workstation 3.16.0-4-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 3.16.7-ckt20-1+deb8u3 (2016-01-17) x86_64 GNU/Linux ----- Every initrd generated on the target machine with "update-initramfs -k all -u" causes a kernel panic on the next boot: ----- Initramfs unpacking failed: no cpio magic /bin/sh: error while loading shared libraries: libc.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory (usual "attempted to kill init" flood) ----- However, if I boot from the amd64-8.1.0 netinstall CD in rescue mode and select the options that will chroot me into the root volume of the target machine and run the same update-initramfs command there, then the machine boots. I captured an example of a working and a broken initrd. If I extract them (gunzip < $file | cpio -i -dv) and diff the two trees, only one file reports as being different: /etc/boottime.kmap.gz . If I gunzip this file in both trees, diff reports no differences. I am at a total loss to explain this behavior. The same update-initramfs / mkinitramfs are used to build both, since I am chroot'd into the root volume when building from the rescue CD. The only different pieces are the running kernel, and various mounts (/dev, /proc, etc.). The same kernel is used to actually boot both generated initrds. Since the initrds are not small, I'm linking them instead of attaching them. Working: <http://static.chrishowie.com/files/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64.working> Broken: <http://static.chrishowie.com/files/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64.broken> Thanks for your time, -- Chris Howie http://www.chrishowie.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Crazycomputers If you correspond with me on a regular basis, please read this document: http://www.chrishowie.com/email-preferences/ PGP fingerprint: 2B7A B280 8B12 21CC 260A DF65 6FCE 505A CF83 38F5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IMPORTANT INFORMATION/DISCLAIMER This document should be read only by those persons to whom it is addressed. If you have received this message it was obviously addressed to you and therefore you can read it. Additionally, by sending an email to ANY of my addresses or to ANY mailing lists to which I am subscribed, whether intentionally or accidentally, you are agreeing that I am "the intended recipient," and that I may do whatever I wish with the contents of any message received from you, unless a pre-existing agreement prohibits me from so doing. This overrides any disclaimer or statement of confidentiality that may be included on your message.
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