I don't use initrd. It is a option under device->block devices.
System.map is part of the make-pkg process.
It is not only possible to have both the 2.4.x and 2.6.x in the same menu but have different distros listed from diffenent partitiions, ie.
default=Linux2.6
image=/boot/vmlinuz
vga=773
label=Linux2.6
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz.old
vga=791
append="hdc=scsi hdd=scsi apm=power-off nomce"
label=Linux2.4
read-only
image=/slack/vmlinuz
root=/dev/hda3
label=Slack2.6
read-only
image=/slack/vmlinuz.old
vga=791
append="hdc=scsi hdd=scsi nosmp apm=off apci=off"
root=/dev/hda3
label=Slack2.4
read-only
But personally I use the following, I do it the normal way. It is all up to you.:
For building the 2.6 kernel
Take and read the following:
http://www.linux.org.uk/~davej/docs/...loween-2.6.txt
You need to get the module-init-tools.
cp linux-2.6.2.tar.gz /usr/src
tar jfx linux-2.6.2.tar.gz
ln -sf linux-2.6.2 linux
cd linux
Use lspci -v to help select your hardware. This will be helpful for configuring the 2.6 kernel.
make mrproper
make menuconfig
make
make modules_install
make install
Then modify you lilo.conf or grub.txt
make install installs vmlinuz into the boot directory along with System.map
It creates a symbolic link to you old vmlinuz -> vmlinuz.old and System.old
All you need to do is add entry for the old vmlinuz. I use lilo.conf
This is mine....
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=Linux2.6
read-only
** This would be you redhat config. **
image=/boot/vmlinuz.old
vga=791
append="hdc=scsi hdd=scsi apm=power-off nomce"
label=Linux2.4
read-only
If you are using lilo, issue lilo -v or modify you menu.lst for grub.
Hope this helps. The more people use 2.6 the better.