exec of init (/sbin/init) failed

[David Curry]

Barry Yu wrote:

> David Curry wrote:
>
>> It is doubtful whether I have the technical knowledge to lead you 
>> through a step by step process, Barry.  On re-reading your earlier 
>> message, I find that I did not take notice of your statement that the 
>> machine "broke down during the process of updating (with yum)."   
>> Rather, I will only offer an approach I would personally consider if 
>> I was in your situation and one of the real fedora linux experts on 
>> the list did not respond to my messages.
>> If I had not backed up my important data files before the yum update, 
>> I would boot from the rescue CD or the 1st installation CD and try to 
>> copy those important files to a back up CD/floppy/tape or transfer 
>> them to another machine.  Then, I would reinstall from the 
>> installation CDs and fully update the system via yum before restoring 
>> my personal data files.
>>
> I do backup my data and I also had made a recovery image of fc3, I 
> post this because I want to know if I can have an answer specifically 
> to this issue so I can fix it the next time when it happens again; I 
> google and use MARC mailing list but can't find any close resolution. 
> tks any way.
>
Barry's experience tweaked my interest enough to prompt some reference 
searching.  I found what I was looking for. 
Chapter 1, RHEL4 Reference Guide is titled, "Boot Process, Init, and 
Shutdown".   This reference, and others is available  at 
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/  

Cheers.