Compiling from 2.6.5-1 to 2.6.12-3 (adding raid driver)
 

Hi!

I´m currently having a problem with a compilation from 2.6.5-1 to the new 2.6.12-3 (or whatever kernel I choose).

I installed Fedora Core 2 (which has the 2.6.5-1 kernel) with a driver disk for my SATA Raid Controller (Highpoint RocketRaid 2220). Everything ran well, however, now I want to compile this new kernel version (2.6.12-3) with more specific options. The problem is that after compiling it, and rebooting, I get a kernel panic, since the new kernel is unable to find de /dev/sda1 partition. This happens because the hpto6.ko module isn´t loaded in the initrd (it used to be loaded before the ext3.ko module). Any idea on how to include the highpoint module on the kernel recompilation?

Thank You.

Is it part of the kernel?

Fedora is probably just not loading the module you want. If it is, dont compile the driver as a module but as a built-in piece of the kernel. You can change this when you configure the kernel. Besides garanteeing it gets loaded, its a little bit faster for being built in.

While you are in there, you can turn other modules to built in. For instance, ext3, iso9660, USB .... and you can turn off what you def dont need, ie ISA Bus.

The problem is that I have no option in menuconfig to activate this driver as module or kernel integrated :/

Should I have that option? This controller is the latest from Highpoint.

Thank You for your reply ;)

If the driver is from a company, it may have directions for building it into the kernel.

If not, after you build it as a module you have to figure out how to get it into initr.d(sp?) .... its another file in /boot.

Maybe you can get into BIOS and see if you can map SATA 0 to IDE 0 that way you can skirt the whole issue.

Nope, the motherboard BIOS won´t do because it is a PCI-X controller, and the controller BIOS doesn´t have that option (also, it is a RAID Array).

The company (HighPoint), provides me a driver disk for Fedora Core 2, and the driver source. They have the instructions on how to install the driver source, but how can I do it if I can´t even boot into the 2.6.12 kernel? I just can boot with the 2.6.5 one :S

I just tried it again, checked the whole modules list (in make modules_install step), and the hptmv6.ko isn´t there :(

So, I believe it is not a problem with initrd.... but with the compilation itself. Shouldn´t I have to add the driver during the compilation?

Where is the site that has the directions?

http://www.highpoint-tech.com/

Support -> BIOS + Drivers -> RocketRaid 2220

(sorry but the site doesn´t display the full path in the address bar)

Thank You.

You are using the generic linux tarball right?