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Old 02-28-2004, 02:21 PM   #1
the_rydster
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Registered: Nov 2003
Location: UK mostly.
Distribution: Slackware 9.1
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Ready to give up on 2.4.24 install.


Well I have spent about the last 3 days trying to compile and install linux-2.4.24 on my Fujitsu laptop. Yes I am a total newbie, and this is the first time I have tried to do a kernel install.

Two things I have learned:

I didn't know much to start of with.

A custom kernel is a mine field for newbies.

Basically I should probably have kept the 2.4.22 kernel and just recompiled it. I needed USB mass storage and vfat support for my digital camera, but being naive I ended up trying to configure the the 2.4.24 kernel to my liking. This was a mistake.

As a result of 'loosing' the old kernel and its configuration though my own fault I now have either a large 2.4.22 default kernel which gives me no sound and no ability to use my web browser, or a 2.4.24 kernel which does the same and gives me jerky DVD playback.

To arrive at this bad situation I have had countless 'Unresolved symbol' messages from depmod, hours trying to installpkg the 2.4.24 modules to find out I don't need them, numerous black screens and calls to use my syslinux floppy, and general stress and pain.

I can either:

Take a days break and go over the 2.4.24 menuconfig again, try to work out what I need, but there are so many options!

Give up and reinstall slackware after backing up my builds and other stuff I need.

Slackware has been tough so far I have to admit and I am considering my options. I know more yes after my experience with the 2.4.24 kernel but not sure if I cope.
 
Old 02-28-2004, 04:44 PM   #2
jailbait
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I think that the best approach is to:

"reinstall slackware after backing up my builds and other stuff I need."

Then find the Slackware kernel config file and use the kernel options that Slackware used to get your sound and DVD straightened out in your 2.4.24 kernel configuration. Make your first 2.2.24 kernel compile as close to your Slackware 2.4.22 configuration as possible (dual boot the two kernels of course) and get that working. Then create a 2.4.24 kernel with USB mass storage and vfat support for your digital camera and triple boot until you get that working. Then go wild and change everything that you want to change and quadruple boot until you get the ultimate kernel working. Once you arrive at the perfect kernel and it runs OK for a while then you can remove all of the old ones.

You also need to set up a backup and recovery method so that when you screw up and nothing will boot you can easily restore the previous working system.

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites

Last edited by jailbait; 02-28-2004 at 04:48 PM.
 
Old 02-28-2004, 04:56 PM   #3
XavierP
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Or even, download Swaret and edit the swaret.conf file so the kernel isn't exluded, also set Version to current. Then run swaret --update and then swaret --upgrade. You will then have your Slack install upgraded to the current build and the kernel will also be upgraded.
 
Old 02-28-2004, 05:33 PM   #4
the_rydster
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Thanks for the advice.

I think that I will backup and reinstall.

One of the things I noticed about the default 2.4.22 kernel is that it is pretty big, almost everything is built in, and stuff that is not is compiled as modules. The 'make modules' takes what seems like ages.

I know now that if I use lsmod I can find out what modules are being used so I can copy these. But I could do with a way to find out what built in driver/modules are being used and which ones are just superflous.

Is there any advantage when installing the kernel to use 'make' and 'make install' compared to just moving the bzImage to /boot and renaming it vmlinuz and moving the System.map there also. I ask this because when I tried installing the 2.4.22 kernel again I just moved the bzImage and System.map but when I booted again the kernel was looking for modules in /lib/modules/2.4.24 (the old libary) untill I did 'make' and 'make install'.

What is the symlink linux in /usr/src for also

Cheers.
 
Old 02-28-2004, 06:16 PM   #5
jailbait
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"What is the symlink linux in /usr/src for also"

You can have several differnt kernel sources in /usr/src at the same time. You point the linux symlink to the one you want to use on the current compile.

"Is there any advantage when installing the kernel to use 'make' and 'make install' compared to just moving the bzImage to /boot and renaming it vmlinuz and moving the System.map there also. I ask this because when I tried installing the 2.4.22 kernel again I just moved the bzImage and System.map but when I booted again the kernel was looking for modules in /lib/modules/2.4.24 (the old libary) untill I did 'make' and 'make install'."

I think that you answered your own question.

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites
 
Old 02-28-2004, 06:37 PM   #6
medusa
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Hi jailbait,

don't be too ambititous at the beginning. Just follow the advise of XavierP. When you have updated your kernel succesfully you can start recompiling your own one. For the first trials it would be handy to have another installation of Slackware on your box where you can test this without messing up all.
I just installed Slack on a friends laptop (upgrading via swaret) and it went like a charm.
You are on the right way with the best distro out there -just be patient.
Good luck
medusa
 
Old 02-29-2004, 12:48 AM   #7
davidsrsb
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Note that XavierP's advice will take you up to the 2.4.25 kernel now, nothing wrong with that though. I personally find that I can recompile the kernel without any problem, but compiling the modules goes very very wrong.
 
Old 02-29-2004, 03:16 AM   #8
jong357
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What about a "make oldconfig" in the original kernel source? I'm sure someone could have posted their original .config file too if that didn't work... Oh well.... re-installing is good for you. That original kernel IS bloated to hell and back..... You know you'll just be messing with it again on your new install...... Admit it..... From what I understand, you can do a "make oldconfig" multiple times. Sort of like an 'undo' feature....
 
Old 03-05-2004, 03:30 PM   #9
tm_burningdog
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Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks for all your help guys, I got it working.

For some reason, the first time I ran /sbin/lilo, it didn't work. I ran lilo again, and it worked just fine. Thanks for all your help!
 
  


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