kernel rpm installation generates errors, boot fails

[trohlfing]

Hi there --

I am having some confusing problems. It seems that one of my servers is having trouble installing any new kernel rpms. When I do, for example to update to the latest from the fedora repos, this is what I get:

Installing : kernel-2.6.32.10-90.fc12.x86_64 1/1
usage: plymouth [ --verbose | -v ] { --targetdir | -t } <initrd_directory>
find: cannot search `': No such file or directory
cpio: File ./sys/devices/platform/uevent shrunk by 4096 bytes, padding with zeros
cpio: File ./sys/devices/platform/power/wakeup shrunk by 4095 bytes, padding with zeros
cpio: File ./sys/devices/platform/pcspkr/uevent shrunk by 4071 bytes, padding with zeros
cpio: File ./sys/devices/platform/pcspkr/modalias shrunk by 4080 bytes, padding with zeros
[...AND SO ON....]

When I try to boot this kernel, I get a kernel panic that suggests a file system problem.

I have tried the following:
- run fsck on all filesystems
- run rpm --rebuilddb
- run extended SMART tests on the system drive

None of these turned up anything unusual, so filesystems, RPM db, and disk hardware seem to be doing just fine. Also, booting a previously installed older kernel works without a problem, and with it the system runs fine. Non-kernel rpm updates also seem to work.

I'd appreciate any suggestions where else to look for this problem. It does not seem to be a problem with the kernel rpm as such, by the way, because even older packages that used to install fine (e.g., the original F12 release kernel) now no longer install.

Thanks!
Torsten

[JEO]

Maybe insufficient free space in /boot /var or /tmp to create the initramfs? Try using the dracut command to create an initramfs in /boot manually (don't overwrite your working one) and check for errors.

[trohlfing]

Ah, indeed ... apparently too many files (although enough space left as such) in /tmp.

Thanks a bundle!
TR

[JEO]

Thanks for posting what you found