LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer compiled a custom kernel version 5.15.10 and ran 'make modules_install' followed by 'make install' on a system using GRUB 2. After rebooting, the system still boots the old kernel. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The boot loader configuration was not updated
After running 'make install', the GRUB 2 bootloader configuration file (usually /boot/grub/grub.cfg) is not automatically regenerated. The 'make install' target copies the kernel image and System.map to /boot, but it does not run update-grub or grub-mkconfig to add the new kernel entry. Without an updated bootloader configuration, GRUB 2 continues to boot the old kernel entry, even though the new kernel files are present.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The kernel version string is too long for GRUB 2
Why it's wrong here
GRUB 2 has no practical limit on kernel version string length.
✗
The kernel image was not copied to /boot because the disk was full
Why it's wrong here
If /boot were full, 'make install' would print an error; the old kernel would still boot, but the new kernel would not be installed.
✗
The initramfs was not created for the new kernel
Why it's wrong here
An initramfs is not always required; if the root filesystem is supported directly by the kernel, it can boot without it.
✓
The boot loader configuration was not updated
Why this is correct
The most common issue is that the boot loader configuration (e.g., GRUB) was not updated to include the new kernel entry.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume 'make install' fully integrates the new kernel into the boot process, when in fact it only places the files and relies on a separate step to update the bootloader configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'make install' target for the Linux kernel invokes the installkernel script, which copies the kernel image to /boot and runs the bootloader's update tool if available (e.g., new-kernel-pkg on RHEL). However, on many distributions, installkernel does not automatically run grub-mkconfig, so the administrator must manually run 'update-grub' or 'grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg' to regenerate the GRUB 2 configuration. This is a common pitfall when compiling kernels manually, as the bootloader configuration is not tied to the kernel installation process by default.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Linux Kernel and System Startup — This question tests Linux Kernel and System Startup — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The boot loader configuration was not updated — After running 'make install', the GRUB 2 bootloader configuration file (usually /boot/grub/grub.cfg) is not automatically regenerated. The 'make install' target copies the kernel image and System.map to /boot, but it does not run update-grub or grub-mkconfig to add the new kernel entry. Without an updated bootloader configuration, GRUB 2 continues to boot the old kernel entry, even though the new kernel files are present.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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