Can anyone tell me if it is possible to create a config file from your running kernel? I recompiled the kernel to include LVM and I was under the assumption that all other existing kernel parameters would remain the same as the running kernel. The system keeps hanging when I boot from the new kernel. I have resolved a couple of issues such as reconfiguring serial ports from the Bios in order to get past the system hanging with MANY_PORTS displayed on the screen. I got a little further but now is hanging when detecting the CDROM and floppy drive. I figure my best bet is to try and create a config file from a good working kernel and make a few changes from there instead of starting from scratch. If this is even possible. I have configured the kernel without issues. It is upon boot that I have these problems. Any help would be appreciated.

#it really depends on which system are u running.
i assume that your running kernel is in /usr/src/kernel
go $cd to /usr/src/kernel
do $ls .config
it there is one, that's the file you want.
If there is not.
Just do $make menuconfig
in a terminal and a blue windows will appears. then go far down and there is an option says save configuration file. in order to do that, you just need to hit enter. then Exit. But don't do any changes in that kernel!!!

Thanks for your reply. I am running RH AS 2.1 on an PIII 550MHz machine.
When I initially install linux, I do not see a .config file under /usr/src/linux-2.4.9-e.3/ What I was trying to do is install the LVM module so I could use LVM. So I performed the following steps make mrproper, make xconfig, make dep, make clean, make bzImage, make modules, make modules_install, mkinitrd (tried with & without), make install, vi grub.conf.
All I did was change the LVM & RAID modules. I also tried what you suggested and ran xconfig without making any changes at all. I performed the same steps and the system still gets hung up in the middle of booting. When I boot off of the original kernel I have no issues. I know I am probably missing a simple step, I just don't know what it is.

what i would do was to copy the original configuration and compile with that configuration. they usually store in /usr/src/`uname-r`/kernel/ . then just go to every folder see if that is like *i386*.
then copy it to your new kernel and change it's name to .config. then do "make oldconfig" .....you know