error file not found you need to load the kernel first failed to boot both default and fallback entries

after upgrading to this kernel, the VM under ESXi 5.0 fails to boot the new kernel

You have to boot from a live cd and uninstall the kernel to fix. Reverting to 2.6.32-40 solves the issue so this is a regression 2.6.32-41

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: linux-image-2.6.32-41-server (not installed)
Regression: Yes
Reproducible: Yes
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-40.87-server 2.6.32.57+drm33.23
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-40-server x86_64
AlsaDevices: Error: command ['ls', '-l', '/dev/snd/'] failed with exit code 2: ls: cannot access /dev/snd/: No such file or directory
AplayDevices: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Date: Wed May 2 10:59:35 2012
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Beta amd64 (20100406.1)
Lsusb: Error: command ['lsusb'] failed with exit code 1:
MachineType: VMware, Inc. VMware Virtual Platform
PciMultimedia:

ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-2.6.32-40-server root=UUID=715b5cff-4255-40e6-ae71-e5cd7c7dc913 ro
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_GB.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: linux
dmi.bios.date: 01/07/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
dmi.bios.version: 6.00
dmi.board.name: 440BX Desktop Reference Platform
dmi.board.vendor: Intel Corporation
dmi.board.version: None
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 1
dmi.chassis.vendor: No Enclosure
dmi.chassis.version: N/A
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenixTechnologiesLTD:bvr6.00:bd01/07/2011:svnVMware,Inc.:pnVMwareVirtualPlatform:pvrNone:rvnIntelCorporation:rn440BXDesktopReferencePlatform:rvrNone:cvnNoEnclosure:ct1:cvrN/A:
dmi.product.name: VMware Virtual Platform
dmi.product.version: None
dmi.sys.vendor: VMware, Inc.