Base System / Kernel Question
 

I don't know what happened to my other post. So, I'll try again. This is my umpteenth attempt to install Debian Sarge.

I have finally made it past the dual boot GRUB requirement in the Debian Sarge installation by using the Microsoft fdisk utility to remove all hard drive partition information from both hard drives, which Linux would not let me do. Linux insisted on keeping the existing partitions and creating a dual boot system, which I did not want and no one seemed able to tell me how to accomplish that during the installation using Linux. I ended up using an old Win 98 boot floppy to clean off the DOS and Non-DOS partitions of the hard drives. So I guess I'll keep my old Microsoft utilities handy in case I have another such problem with Linux. (The Linux "cfdisk" only works after the system is started and is not available during the installation.)

Anyway, now I am at install the Base System for Debian. But, I am being asked which kernel I wish to load:

kernel-image-2.6.8-1-386
kernel-image-2.4.27-1-386

I have searched the Debian website and other Linux Forums and have been unable to find out what these two kernels are and what the differences are. I couldn't even find an explanation of what a kernel is. I will have to assume it is the heart of the Linux OS.

The only information I could find regarding the install was what version, not kernel, to install and why the version was named the way it was? So, what version uses what kernel???

If all that matters is the Version of Debian why am I being asked which kernel to use with no explanation of what they are?

Which kernel will be best to use for a web server?

You should use newer kernel (2.6.8).

Thanks
 

Thanks

Both kernels are fine. 2.6.8 is more modern thus supports more modern hardware, 2.4.27 includes support for some old hardware that nobody cares about to port to 2.6 (an example:my dxr3 hardware mpeg decoder is not ported to 2.6 yet).

2.4.27 has slightly better throughput on single processor systems with medium load. 2.6 has better throughput on multi-processor systems on high load.

It is possible to install both later and choose which to boot with GRUB.

I recommend 2.6.8 because of udev. It's so great to do ls /dev and only see device nodes for devices actually present on your system.

BTW. the installer is perfectly capable of wiping the whole disk. You should probably read the installer manual at http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer

Old PII 500Mhz CPU
 

Maybe I'll load the 2.4 tomorrow.

I did print out, read and followed the debian-installer manual. But, I didn't find any way to wipe out the hard drive partition information. The Sarge Installation just kept insisting on doing a dual boot system and would not allow me to choose any other option.

You are right. The manual doesn't tell you how to remove a partition. I suspect you need to hit <DEL> on the windows partition. I might try it myself and report it to the debian installer team.