Assistance Required: Rocky Linux VPS Boot and SSH Login Issue

Rocky Linux Help & Support
1

Hi Guys,

I installed Rocky Linux on my Contabo VPS, but I cannot log in via SSH using root@**.247.183.144 from my Mac terminal.

The VNC console shows boot errors. It displays the SeaBIOS and GRUB loading process, but the boot hangs after:

Probing EDD (edd=off to disable)... ok

This suggests a potential failure in the boot process or configuration. Could you please advise me on the next steps?

Thank you again for your assistance.

Best regards,

2

The error on your screen is very early on in the boot process, basically immediately after the grub menu has selected the option.

It could well be problems with Contabo’s Rocky image - have you tried asking their support team? That would be the best place to start if their image is not booting. Because it should just work.

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2. Rocky Linux VPS Boot & SSH Login Issue

Issue Summary:

  • OS Installed: Rocky Linux (version not specified, assumed 9)

  • Problem: Cannot log in via SSH (root@<IP>) from Mac terminal.

  • VNC Observation: Boot hangs after:

    • Probing EDD (edd=off to disable)... ok

  • Current Status: VPS does not reach full boot; SSH login fails.

Analysis:

  • Boot hang after EDD probing suggests kernel or bootloader configuration issues.

  • Could be similar to the AlmaLinux 9 issue, possibly due to differences in systemd/init compatibility or VPS virtual environment requirements.

    1. AlmaLinux 9 VPS Boot Failure

Issue Summary:

  • OS Installed: AlmaLinux 9

  • Problem: Unable to log in via SSH (root@<IP>) from Mac terminal.

  • VNC Observation: Boot fails; console output shows errors:

    • systemd[1]: Failed to execute /sbin/init, giving up: Exec format error

    • systemd[1]: Freezing execution

  • Current Status: VPS does not reach a usable state; no further troubleshooting performed by user.

Analysis:

  • The Exec format error indicates the kernel or init system may be incompatible with the VPS architecture or boot configuration.

  • This is likely related to AlmaLinux 9 requiring additional VPS configuration that is not applied by default.

    3. AlmaLinux 8 – Successful DirectAdmin Installation

    Issue Summary:

    • OS Installed: AlmaLinux 8

    • Action Taken: Installed DirectAdmin and rebooted VPS.

    • Result: System boots successfully, SSH login works as expected.

    Analysis:

    • AlmaLinux 8 is fully compatible with the VPS environment and requires no additional configuration for boot or SSH access.

    • Suggests that the issues with AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9 are likely due to changes in systemd, init, or kernel requirements in the version 9 line.

4

So the above goes exactly back to what I suggested - the problem is with Contabo’s Rocky/Alma image which means you’ll need to ask them for assistance to get it fixed.

Since this is not happening for everyone, it is something specific to Contabo so you should be asking them for help. Or perhaps instead of using Contabo - use Hetzner their Rocky 8/9/10 images all work fine.

5

Yes, but how?

As I understand it, you’d have to go to their VPS control panel, and tell it to install an o/s. Did they provide their own build of the o/s? What happens at the end of the install, does it say “success, reboot”, or something else? Where is this “vnc console”, do you mean within one of their tools, or you somehow connected to it using vnc?

6

I installed Rocky Linux 9 through the Contabo admin panel, and the installation was successful. However, after rebooting the VPS, I was unable to access the server either via root or VNC. Unfortunately, Contabo responds very late to the tickets and fails to provide proper support. They also do not offer technical assistance. I have never experienced this issue ( installed Rocky Linux 9 through the panel) with any other server providers.

7

Then I would ditch Contabo and get a more reputable provider. Hetzner are cheap as well like Contabo, and have great support. You said yourself you never had this problem at other providers. Basically, it just says that Contabo is a waste of space and not worth using at all.

Installing a VPS uses their disk image. So if their disk image is broken, then your VPS won’t work. Only Contabo can fix their disk image. Either that or maybe they give you the option to install from ISO? If they do, then you can do that. If not, then find a better VPS provider. There are plenty out there - Hetzner, Linode, OVH, etc.

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