LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
A Linux system fails to boot after installing a new kernel. Which step should be taken first to recover the system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume a failed kernel boot requires external recovery media (live CD or rescue mode) or single-user mode, forgetting that GRUB’s boot menu already provides direct access to the old kernel without any additional tools.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Edit GRUB configuration at boot to select the old kernel
When a new kernel fails to boot, the quickest recovery method is to select the previous working kernel from the GRUB boot menu. GRUB typically retains the old kernel entry in its menu (e.g., 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' or a similar submenu), allowing you to boot the system without any external media or reinstallation. This approach avoids the overhead of using a live CD or rescue mode and directly restores functionality.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Edit GRUB configuration at boot to select the old kernel
Why this is correct
Selecting the previous kernel from the GRUB menu at boot bypasses the faulty new kernel, restoring a bootable system immediately. This is the fastest recovery step, since the old kernel and its modules remain intact on disk, allowing later diagnosis of the new kernel.
- ✗
Reinstall the original kernel using a live CD
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the original kernel via a live CD is unnecessarily destructive and slow as a first step. It is tempting because a live CD is the correct choice when the system's own package manager and filesystem are inaccessible and cannot be used to restore packages.
- ✗
Boot into single-user mode to fix the kernel
Why it's wrong here
Single-user mode still boots the newly installed, faulty kernel, so the failure recurs before any repair is possible. It is tempting because single-user mode is the correct choice for repairing configuration or password issues on a kernel that boots successfully.
- ✗
Use the rescue mode from installation media
Why it's wrong here
Rescue mode from installation media is a heavier recovery step, not the first action after a kernel regression. It is tempting because rescue mode is the correct choice when the bootloader or root filesystem itself is damaged and no installed kernel can start.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.