'Cannot open root device' or 'volume group xxx not found' when booting with a Linux Kernel

Problem

VFS: Cannot open root device "sda1" or unknown-block(0,0) 
Please append a correct "root=" boot option 
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown block(0,0)

Or

Volume group "vgubuntu-studio" not found
Cannot process volume group vgubuntu-studio 
Gave up waiting for root file system device.

Root Cause

SATA/SAS controller driver not loaded.

Fixing Procedure

1. Booting with any kind of Linux Live CD

2. Mounting pseudo file system [[Mounting Pseudo File System]]

3. Changing running root chroot /path/to/new/root /bin/bash

4. Show PCIs and compatible kernel modules [[Command - lspci]] lspci -k

5. Rebuilding the kernel modules

   cd /usr/src/linux && make menuconfig
   make && make modules_install
   mount /boot
   mount /boot/EFI  # ONLY if necessary
   make install
   

6. Regenerating initramfs

   dracut -a lvm --kver=x.y.zz-gentoo --force
   

7. Regenerating GRUB menu list

   grub-mkconfig | grep <Volume Group Name>
   grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
   

Examples for VMware and Lenovo T420 booting issue

• For VMware:

  • Kernel Module

    • SPIMPT

  • Location

    Device Drivers  ---> 
    [*] Fusion MPT device support  --->
        <*>   Fusion MPT ScsiHost drivers for SPI 
    

• For Lenovo T420

  • Kernel Module

    • AHCI

  • Location

    Device Drivers  --->
    <*> Serial ATA and Parallel ATA drivers (libata)  --->
        <*>   AHCI SATA support
    

Must be configured as a built-in kernel module!!!