Viewing the default kernel options

six6 · 06-25-2004, 03:20 AM

Hi, I'm new to GNU/Linux (that's fun to say, for a couple of reasons).

Bear with me, I can't post URLs (haven't reached 5 posts yet). Add `www' to the front of each address.

I have Mandrake10.0 official working well. I was hoping to utilize the newest kernel (2.6.7) from a fresh compile, though I have some issues. I think the easiest way to sort out the issues is looking at the .config file (or whatever is relevant) when Mandrake ``put together" my kernel on installation. Where can I find this file/information? I think I'll need almost the same info as that contained in my .config file I've created through `make xconfig'.

My computer is a dual-boot with that other OS, and I'm fond of IceWM.

Those experienced might think what's above isn't the right course of action for solving my problems. If that's the case, here are the specific issues I'd like to resolve:

My NTFS partitions don't automagically mount, though I haven't changed the fstab. They mount automatically with the default 2.6.3 kernel. This might have to do with the NLS modules (or lack thereof) I originally chose. I can mount them as root, but can't access them after mounting.
I don't have sound. I chose ALSA as a module and disabled OSS. ALSA works in the default kernel.
Most annoying, when launching a terminal window in IceWM, the window opens but just a cursor displays. I can't enter any text, see what directory I'm in, etc. CTRL-ALT-1 switches to a different virutal-terminal with normal display properties.

If you think it's an issue with my .config, check it out:
tc.umn.edu/~frye0031/config
These are my systems specifications:
tc.umn.edu/~frye0031/comp-specs
Here is my dmesg:
tc.umn.edu/~frye0031/2.6.7-dmesg
The kernel built fine, so I assume it's not that process causing the problems. Here's my build process just in case:
tc.umn.edu/~frye0031/ker-howto

Let me know if you need any more info. Thanks!

mascdman · 06-25-2004, 10:29 PM

If you want to get the .config of the default Mandrake kernel, reboot and run the 2.6.3 kernel and then run something like

Code:

cp /proc/config.gz /usr/src/linux/.config

That will overwrite the configuration file in your /usr/src/linux directory. Copy your old configuration somewhere else if you want to keep it. You should then be able to do a make oldconfig to configure the kernel sources (note: It will prompt you about any newer options that the 2.6.7 kernel offers). After this you should be able to do a make xconfig and change any options you need/want to.

--mascdman

six6 · 06-26-2004, 03:21 PM

Thanks so much! I actually had installed the kernel source and the .config was in there (/usr/src/linux)...so I used that. I tried "make oldconfig" but it didn't prompt about newer options, so I exited out of all that and just did "make xconfig".

Secondly, I tried using the /proc/config.gz but "make oldconfig" couldn't use it and neither could "make xconfig". I had no idea that /proc/config.gz even existed or why it was .gz, so I also tried unzipping it with tar -xvf but that didn't work either. Most importantly though, your post gave me a new train of thought.

The "make xconfig" with the .config file from /usr/scr/linux (version 2.6.3-7mdk) worked well, and the kernel built fine and I'm running it now without any problems. I wonder if the 2.6.3-7mdk patched kernel was equivalent to the 2.6.7 I downloaded, spent time with, and got working?

Oh well, I've learned how to compile a kernel at least.

mascdman · 06-26-2004, 03:54 PM

Oops -- my bad. That's what I get for posting while tired. The command I should have posted is

Code:

zcat /proc/config.gz >/usr/src/linux/.config

Or you could do

Code:

cp /proc/config.gz /tmp
gunzip /tmp/config,gz
mv /tmp/config /usr/src/linux/.config

Glad to hear the kernel is working, though.

--mascdman

newlus · 07-21-2004, 06:05 PM

hey ppl, another newbie here

I have Mandrake 10 discovery 10, i am attempting to install some usb wireless lan dirvers and i need to make sure that the kernel has got the correct configuration.

Following the read me file it says i need to go to /usr/src/linux as this is where the config filles be, but when going into /usr/src all i can see if a foler called RMP, there isnt a folder for the linux config files.

Is it located in a diffrent place with certain versions of mandrake, if so where? Or is the folder some how hidden from me if so how can i get to it

Thanks for the help

mascdman · 07-21-2004, 10:23 PM

You just need to install the kernel sources. As root, run urpmi kernel-source.

--mascdman

newlus · 07-22-2004, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mascdman
You just need to install the kernel sources. As root, run urpmi kernel-source.

--mascdman

Thanks for the reply, I have tried this and still doesnt place the source files in /usr/scr. The only place where i can find where it appears to install the souces is /lib/modules this contains the folders named with the kernel versions. But yet there is no make file or config file so I can cannot look over the config.

Anyone any ideas (total newbie at work here)

UK MAdMaN · 07-22-2004, 11:04 AM

Have you run the updater in the Mandrake Control Centre? If not, run this (no need to update anything) and then run the command again. This will then download the latest version of the kernel and should put the files in the correct place.

newlus · 07-22-2004, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UK MAdMaN
Have you run the updater in the Mandrake Control Centre? If not, run this (no need to update anything) and then run the command again. This will then download the latest version of the kernel and should put the files in the correct place.

Ok thanks, following your instruction I ran the update but did not update anything, i then run the command again and downloaded it, it then prepaired. Looking back into /usr/src/ there is still not linux folder containing my kernel

mascdman · 07-22-2004, 03:21 PM

Does running rpm -q kernel-source show anything? If it does, run rpm -q kernel-source --list to see where all the files have been installed.

--mascdman