When and how to switch kernels and processors?

Hey guys, (that above was there first for the mouseover text).

In case you haven't twigged, I'm wanting to upgrade my Athlon64 to a Athlon64 X2, but I know I'm gunna want SMP support in the kernel.

First question: does the 'regular' Spring kernel have SMP support?

I'm currently booting:
linux-2.6.17-14mdv kernel
kernel-2.6.17.14mdv source

Second Question: if not, can I swap processors and boot a non-smp kernel on a dual core proc?

I've flashed my BIOS to the latest, and next I grabbed:
linux-2.6.17-14-mm-desktop-6mdvsmp kernel
kernel-multimedia-2.6.17.14.6mdv source

I just tried rebooting using that newer kernel but I couldn't get the nvidia installer to compile a module against it.

Third question: Where's the source that matches the kernel I need to install if it's different to the 'regular' kernel I'm running?

Thanks in advance!

From the Mandriva Package Manager:This will not be a problem. See the description above. If you intend to use more than 4GB RAM, you may want to consider using the kernel-enterprise-2.6.17.14mdv package:I have the kernel-2.6.17.14mdv, and the kernel-source-2.6.17.14mdv packagges installed here.

The kernel-2.6.17.14mdv package can be found in the Mandriva Package Manager at System > Kernel and Hardware in the Category List (left).

The kernel-source-2.6.17.14mdv package can be found in the Mandriva Package Manager at Development > kernel in the Category List (left).

If you choose to use the kernel-enterprise-2.6.17.14mdv package, I believe the kernel-source-2.6.17.14mdv packagge should still be a correct match.

HTH,

Hi, Just make sure the sources are the same as the kernel.

Multimedia is multimedia, desktop is desktop. etc.

You should be able to load the smp kernel before you change the processor.

If you feel like getting your hands dirty, the kernels all have the options you need, you just need to reconfigure them and re-compile.

You may need to uninstall the nvidia driver first, but I think you could give us some more details on that. What was the output to the screen? It may be that the new kernel was compiled with a different version of glibc.

There is a new nvidia .run package available as of this/last month. it may rectify the problem, It did for me.

Regards, Glenn

(edit) urpmi will get the source to match your kernel, once it is installed. Make sure /^kernel/ is not in the /etc/urpmi/skip.list

Thanks for the replies guys.

ernie, it's the bit aboutthat's making me think I need to find an alternative/non-'regular' kernel from the Spring repositories.

Again, anyone know what'd happen if I tried booting a dual core proc without smp support?

GlennsPref, I'd rather not recompile, and when I tried that other kernel, it booted but I didn't get the nVidia splashscreen or X come up. I don't think I'd need to uninstall manually, it looks like the installer does that for me.
I will make sure I've got the latest version.

I think I'll try installing and booting that enterprise one if I find it's got smp options set, then if it works, try the upgrade.

"Again, anyone know what'd happen if I tried booting a dual core proc without smp support?"

Yep, the same as with m$windows, only one processor will be working. AFAIK, thats as bad as it gets. And remember google is your friend.

Cheers, Glenn

Just found this: http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/Docs/Howto/Mandriva_Kernels

Regular:
Enterprise:
Multimedia-desktop:
Looks like I'll just put in the hardware and boot what I'm already running then

Excellent! Thanks for clearing that up. When I switch to dual processors I know who to ask.

Cheers, Glenn