Hello world,
I want to test myself by compiling a new kernel and run it. I've downloaded the 2.4.26 sources and set the configuration using menuconfig. I only added some usb drivers as the master plan was to activate my webcam. I compiled the new kernel using make bzImage. Then I "make modules" and "make modules_install".
I copied the new image and System.mp and config to /boot.
I've modified lilo.conf and reinstall it using /sbin/lilo.
However the machine refused to boot. It froze right after the CPU checks. I tried the same with kernel 2.6.7 but the results were same as 2.4.6: a freeze right after the cpu checks. So it seems that I have a basic problems, something is missing. I thought maybe some harddisk drivers is missing but I'm using an old PII so it is hard to tell.
One fact still is true the original Slackware 10 2.4.26 image is working. So there must be a way to build a kernel that will work.

So after the long story here are my questions:

1. Where can I find the .config file which will set the kernel configuration to be the same as the original Slackware 10 2.4.26 kernel?
2. What is the System.map file?
3. Do I need to use initrd.
4. mkinitrd is using the drivers from /lib/modules/kernel-version so how can I put there all the drivers from my private kernel build?
5. I'm using the reiserfs filesystem. Why the 2.6.7 package of Slackware 10 does not include the necessary drivers to boot from this filesystem.

Any help will be appreciated.
Please reply even if you have only some of the answers.

Tanks in advance

I always run "make install" after make modules_install cause it fixes all my problems. I found out accidentily cause I had compiled some other stuff. This will take care of everything and make an entry in lilo as well with your old configuration and adds the new kernel.

And BTW a 2.4 kernel isn't really new

Hello again,
initrd did solve the boot problem. For all the newbies out there /boot/README.initrd was very helpful and answer all my questions regarding initrd.
The webcam is still not working but I will keep for another thread.

Any answers for the rest of my questions will be great help.

I know the 2.4 is not a new kernel but the one I tried to build was new.