I've done 3 or 4 kernel compiles (different versions) OK, but never the
following scenario, so I'd like to run this by the experts here. My
objective is to right after a fresh install of Mandrake 9.0,
immediatly recompile the kernel for an athlon XP cpu, and remove
unneeded stuff for which I don't run, or have no hardware for. My
thinking is this:

1. Copy the .config file from /usr/src/linux-2.4.19-16mdk to another
location
for my minor editing, and then run make mrproper.

2. Do my editing of .config, and then copy it back to
usr/src/linux-2.4.19-16mdk.

3. Then do the normal make dep && make clean && make bzImage && make
modules

4. Then do make modules_install && make install. Then run lilo.

Shouldn't that do it?

Some questions come to mind:

1. Should I change the makefile Extra version, or do nothing? I want
the install to overwrite the /lib/modules, so why should I change the
version?

2. Is running lilo necessary? After all, I'm not adding another kernel
version,I'm just recompiling the same one from the same sources for my
Athlon cpu.

3. Is this somehow going to mess up /boot and System.map?

If this procedure won't work, can somebody please enlighten me as to
where I'm going wrong? I'm hoping I will wind up with exactly the same
kernel, and setup,but now compiled for my Athlon-XP cpu, not i586, and
a little leaner kernel.

Thanks,
wrc1944

It looks OK. I think you should change the version name and compile is as every other kernel. Just in case. Everyone makes mistakes. With no running kernel you won't be able to boot easily. You can always delete the old one...

Mara,
OK- if I did it with the version changed, I know I'd have to run lilo. But if I do it just as described above, am I correct in thinking I don't need to run lilo, and it would overwrite the /lib/modules?

I plan on adding other kernels with preemptive patchs later, but wish to keep the basic Mandrake 9.0 kernel too, but just have it recompiled for Athlon XP cpu.

Since this would be done first thing after an 9.0 install, in the unlikely event I messed up editing .config, I could just run another install with the install floppy with all my packages selections already done- real quick and simple.

wrc1944

It would overwrite the modules. But I recommend to run lilo. I tried such thing once and it didn't work. I had to run lilo.