Hi,

I need to recompile my debian kernel.

Ive downloaded linux-2.4.20.tar.gz from www.kernel.org and have plenty of instructions on how to compile the new kernel.

As I understand when you want to included something in the kernel you either select Y or M. Im unsure in what instances I should select Y and where I should M.

I know what to select in the kernel to get my various cards working. The thing Im not too sure about is my motherboard (ABit KT7A RAID). Its got AGP, APM, ACPI, PCI and USB, is that enough knowledge of the product to get me through the compile? It also has an ISA slot and RAID controllers but as I dont use these I wont need to configure them will I?

When you compile the kernel are there defaults loaded and you just add to them? Or do you have to select everything yourself?

I bet you cant tell this is the first time I compile the kernel

Hi,
1. Y means that it is compiled into the kernel.
M means to compile it as a module. that means that that feature will be
compiled as a module to loaded by the kernel at some time, either
at boot up or later when it is needed.

2. the more you know about your hardware the better. try to find out
what chipset you have. Also, know what make and model sound and
video cards you have. Just because you don't see you exact hardware in
the kernel does not mean it wont work but if you see a support feature
for it then all the cooler, use it.

3. You can try to not include support for items you dont need but if
something does work rite, try including support for them and see if
that fixes whatever is broke.

4. Yes, there are defualts. It's generaly safe to leave them but use the helps.
The helps will usually tell you about that feature and if you should
include it or not.

hope this help. if you need more help let us know.
good luck

the only stuff you really have to have built into the kernel
is the stuff that you need to have to boot and load your
filesystem. other stuff like sound cards, and lpt port
support can be modules. you have to the filesystem
support for your filesystem, and generally support for
your motherboard chipset, but usually the kernel would
boot anyway, you just wouldn't have dma and other
features available.
expect to compile many times. as soon as you get your
new kernel booting, start figuring out what stuff doesn't
work, and start figuring out what you need to get that
stuff to work.

does it always take ages?
i downloaded the 2.5.59 kernel and tried to compile it - i did the gzip command, and lots of stuff came up on the screen - took about 10 minutes for all the screens to complete. then i did something called make config or something like that - and it asked the same questions. the thing i dont understand is - how comes there are loads and loads of questions - i am trying to install my usb adsl modem - so am sorta unsure about which ones to select which ones to not - is it better/worse to just type M or Y for everything - or is that bad?

5aboy,

It depends on your computer. The more GHz and RAM the better. Even on
a fast machine it can take 15 minutes or more. Don't use "make config"
anymore, use "make menuconfig" it much better. Also, No dont just say Y/M to everything. use the helps. Highligh the item your interested in and go over to help. read it. It will often tell if you need it or not.

Avoid the questions altogether with...

make menuconfig

You can now configure your kernel with nicely menu'd screen.

You can use your old config file for your new kernel but just typing
make oldconfig

I would of used the old config file but my hard disk totally died the other day so I cant and the person who compiled it for me last time has moved away.

Thanks for the tip about knowing the boards chipset. I looked through the motherboard manual and found that the chipset is VIA Apollo KT133 (VT836A and VT82C686B).

Whats nicer to use make xconfig or make menuconfig?

I plan to recompile it on Tuesday so I'll post to say how I got on. If anyone has anymore tips please post them, I'll keep checking the forum.

i like xconfig better, but i have before had compiled
kernels that didnt' work or wouldn't compile and and
redid them with menuconfig, and it worked. so i'll still
use xconfig, but if i run into problems, i'll use
menuconfig.

I prefer the plain and simple text based make config
Here is a site that will help with the compile http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Kernel-HOWTO/