When ever I try goto 2.6.8.xx I keep getting a kernel panick error.

I compiled without initrd and my boot param's in meni.lst are correct?

the error is this.

VFS:cannot open root device "hda1" 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)

but if i compile a 2.4.6 kernel everything is fine? just when I try to goto a 2.6.8 kernel all hell breaks loose. I have googled and seen tons of people with the same problem but no real answers for the headache.

is there a particular reason you are trying to compile a 2.6.8 kernel from the start ? why not just
apt-get install kernel-image-2.6.8-686
see if you can get it to successfully install the prebuilt kernel image. once that is in and running then worry about trying to compile a customized kernel.

for new installs I prefer to install the 2.6 kernel from the start and not even bother with a 2.4 kernel in the system. the command to do this is linux26 at the boot prompt when you boot from teh install media.

I tried what you said and the new kernel-image did boot up with only one error SHPCHP: can't be loaded.
I want to compile my own to get rid of the things i don't need a bootup in hopes on quicker bootup times.

hey there, in the disk installation write in the prompt (blahhh if it's like slackware i hope)

(kernel version file) [in slac = test26.s] and then root location + ro noinitrd

should look like this

/dev/sda1 should be your root partition.

Figured it out.

didn't know I had to change the M to *'s when shutting off initrd.