Why would you have to modify fstab? Surely you are using UUID/PARTUUID these days.
replyI also wouldn't expect a kernel panic on Linux... Maybe no video though.
That's exactly why fstab needs to be modified. If an old machine previously had two partitions/drives, the entry for the missing drive will prevent Linux from booting.
replydepends what the fstab says. nofail is highly recommended for anything nonessential to boot.
reply> In all my years of using Linux, I have yet to see that work without a hitch.
replyFor what it's worth, I used the same Arch install from 2014 to 2024, with it spending time in three desktops and a VM across that time.