Try another disk, you might have to reinstall. Check for
loose cables and possible data corruption.
Symptoms
Get LI and then it hangs.
Problem
You use LILO to load Linux but LILO cannot find your root.
Solution
Read the LILO HOWTO.
Symptoms
Kernel panics, something about missing root file system.
Problem
The kernel does not know where the root partition is.
Solution
Use rdev or (if applicable) LILO to add information
to the kernel image where your root is.
Getting into Single User Mode
Symptoms
System boots but get into a root shell in single user mode.
Problem
Something went wrong in the later stages of booting and the
system has come far enough to let you open a shell to repair the system.
Solution
Locate the problems from the boot log. Note that file system
can be in read-only mode. Remount read-write if you have to. Often the
reason is that the /etc/fstab contained an entry that was mismapped
such as trying to mount a swap partition as your normal file space.
then system is running normal. If the line with Swap: contains zeros
you have either not mounted the swap space (partition or swap file)
(see swapon(8))
or not formatted the swap space (see mkswap(8)).
Partitions
Symptoms
No room amidst plenty 1
Problem
Partitionitis:Underdimensioned partition sizes
has caused overflow in some areas
Solution
Examine your partition usage using df(1) and locate
problem areas. Normally the problem can be solved by removing old junk but
you might have to repartition your system,
see section
Repartitioning.
Symptoms
No room amidst plenty 2
Problem
Running out of i-nodes has caused overflow in some ares,
often in areas with many small files such as news spool.
Solution
Examine your partition usage using df -i and locate
problem areas. Normally the problem is solved by reformatting using
a higher number of i-nodes, see mkfs(8) and related man pages.