Right ,I’ve been having major problems with trying to configure and compile a new kernel.I’ve asked a lot of people ,but no one has pin-pointed the problem,so I thought I’d ask again.
For the record,I’m running RED HAT 8 that I installed about a week ago.I can boot from the default kernel,but I can’t boot from any that I configure and compile myself.

Ok,I’ve tried to catalog every step that I’ve done in trying to create a new kernel in the hope that someone can tell me what I’m doing wrong:

1.downloaded a new Linux kernel source code package:
linux-2.4.19.tar.gz

2.I went to the /urs/src folder and unpacked the
file which gave me a folder called linux-2.4.19

3.then ,from /usr/src/linux-2.4.19 / I ran make mrproper

4. then I ran make xconfig .I left things as they were and pressed save and exit

5.Got a message saying ‘end of kernel config.Next you must run make dep’

6. ran make dep

7. ran make clean

8. ran make bzImage

9. make modules

10. make modules_install

11. make install

12 Then I checked that I had an initrd image for the new kernel,which I did,and checked the Grub config file .

13. rebooted and when GRUB loaded,I chose my new kernel.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM:
It gets a few seconds into the booting process and gives me the message:
ds:no socket drivers loaded
VFS:cannot open root device “LABEL=/” or 00.00
Please append a correct “root=” boot option
Kernel panic VFS:unable to mount root fs on 00.00




When I check my grub config file,it says this:
# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You do not have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /, eg.
# root (hd0,4)
# kernel /boot/vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hdc5
# initrd /boot/initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hdc
default=5
timeout=20
splashimage=(hd0,4)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Red Hat Linux (2.4.19)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.19 ro root=LABEL=/ hda=ide-scsi
initrd /boot/initrd-2.4.19.img
title Red Hat Linux (2.4.18-14)
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.18-14 ro root=LABEL=/ hda=ide-scsi
initrd /boot/initrd-2.4.18-14.img
title WINDOWS XP
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1


what does # NOTICE: You do not have a /boot partition.Mean?
Is that the source of my problems??If so,how do I go about fixing it?


Thanks for any help,
Ludwig

THERE's your problem. You have to actually go and change stuff...like choose a file system, so you computer can actually boot your root system:
I recommend that you (a) go through each option in the kernel config - if you dont know what it is see the equivelant "help" (b) don't recompile your kernel - why exactly did you choose to recompile it?

BTW, /boot is usually only needed on older HD's -- its a seperate partition, where you can possibly install your kernel, and so forth. Its usually not needed (although some people prefer a seperate /boot) - ie. its not the problem.
; )

thanks cuckoopint.
I'll do what you say.

Thanks for pointing that out.