[SOLVED] broken boot after upgrade from 8>9

N

noogie

New Member
Nov 21, 2025
3
2
3
Hey guys,

I recently updated my proxmox up to version 9, and during the upgrade I ran apt remove systemd-boot as suggested by the 8to9 advisor

After the install the system rebooted and now it flashes up with 'Welcome to GRUB!" and restarts

If I boot with 9.1 ISO and select Rescue boot I get the error error: file '/boot/pve/vmlinuz' not found & error: you need to load the kernel first

I assume I've cocked something up massively but can't seem to get to a terminal to even start trying to repair it. To make things worse my backup encryption keys are stored on the server in the dashboard *facepalm*

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Managed to boot with proxmox ISO
Advanced options
Install Proxmox VE (Debug Mode)

then
exit
mkdir /mnt/proxmox-root
mount /dev/pve/root /mnt/proxmox-root
Click to expand...

I can then browse around the files but I guess because I'm not booted into the environment I can't really reinstall systemd-boot or anything? Coincidentally I can see /boot/pve/vmlinuz inside the folder structure so maybe not everything is lost?
 
nalafod said:
You can use system rescue with zfs https://www.system-rescue.org/scripts/build-zfs-srm/

Once you boot it you can mount the zfs disk in case you have the ability to edit the system files. But i think you cooked the boot loader and it will be difficult to installed removed packaged especially the systemd-boot
Click to expand...
Hey nalafod, Thank you SO much. I downloaded SystemRescue+ZFS ISO and burnt to USB and it let me boot into the system. Initially the webUI wasn't loading but an apt dist-upgrade told me to run a command which repaired everything.

All up and running and a reminder to myself to check I have a working backup before I run a major upgrade.

thanks again!
 
  • Like
Reactions: nalafod and templar
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom