LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
You are a systems administrator for a company that runs a critical web server on a Linux system. The server has been running stably for months, but after a recent kernel update from version 5.10.0-8 to 5.10.0-9, the server fails to boot. The boot process starts, but after the kernel loads, the system hangs with no output on the console. You have physical access to the server and can interrupt the boot process. The server uses GRUB 2 as the bootloader and the root filesystem is on an LVM logical volume. The previous kernel (5.10.0-8) is still present in /boot. Which of the following is the best course of action to restore the server to a working state?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume the boot process failed due to a corrupted bootloader or initrd, when in fact the kernel itself is the culprit, and the simplest recovery is to boot the previous kernel from GRUB's advanced menu.
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
✓
Interrupt the boot process at GRUB, select the advanced options, and boot the old kernel 5.10.0-8.
The server fails to boot after a kernel update, but the previous kernel is still present in /boot. By interrupting GRUB 2 at boot, selecting 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' (or similar), and booting the old kernel 5.10.0-8, you bypass the problematic new kernel without modifying the bootloader or filesystem. This is the fastest, least invasive recovery method because GRUB 2 automatically detects and lists all installed kernels in /boot, including the previous one.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Interrupt the boot process at GRUB, select the advanced options, and boot the old kernel 5.10.0-8.
Why this is correct
This restores functionality immediately, allowing later troubleshooting of the new kernel.
- ✗
Reinstall GRUB from a live CD to fix the bootloader configuration.
Why it's wrong here
GRUB is working; the kernel itself is the issue.
- ✗
Boot from a live CD, chroot into the system, and reinstall the new kernel package.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the same kernel may not resolve the issue if it is a bug.
- ✗
Boot from a live CD, chroot into the system, and rebuild the initrd for the new kernel.
Why it's wrong here
The initrd is likely not the cause; the kernel hangs without output, suggesting a kernel bug or missing driver.
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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.