The error Could not find kernel image: linux typically occurs on USB flash drive Linux installations if syslinux could not find the configuration file syslinux.cfg. This configuration file is used to tell syslinux where your kernel image and initrd files are located. In the following section we will cover some of the basic things to look for if you are encountering this boot error.
How to fix Could not find kernel image: linux error
Use the following troubleshooting guide to assist in fixing the error.
- Make sure that the syslinux.cfg file exists on the USB flash drive. Depending on which version of linux you have installed to your flash drive, the syslinux.cfg file should be found at the root of the drive or within the /boot/syslinux or /syslinux directory
- If a file named isolinux.cfg exists and syslinux.cfg does not, rename isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg
- If the syslinux.cfg file does exist and your still encountering the error, open the syslinux.cfg file with a text editor and make sure that the paths to your kernel and initrd files are correct.
Note: With newer versions of syslinux, you may need to check text.cfg for the paths to initrd and kernel in step 3, instead of syslinux.cfg
