LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often 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.
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
✓
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.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 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-2 exam.