kernel 2.6.8-2-386 or 2.6.8-2-686
 

hi

what's different between:

kernel-2.6.8-2-386

and

kernel-2.6.8-2-686 ?


which kernel should I install on my PC ?

Hardware:
P4, 2GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB disc

kind regards
cccc

the second one is built with optimisation for your processor. Go for that one.

thanks, but how can I get this one ?

if I start the installation of Sarge Stable ,
I press F1 for help, choose linux26, then kernel-2.6.8-2-386 will be automatically installed.
Where can I choose kernel-2.6.8-2-686 ?

I'm not sure about the naming - I usually build kernel from source whilst the names you have quoted probably refer to binaries. But the usual thing is that it depends on the target processor type and its corresponding instruction set. A Pentium 4 knows all about 386 instructions, but a 386 does not know all about a Pentium 4's instructions. In general a kernel will run more efficiently if it has been built for the processor on which it will run. Your P4 should run either kernel, but the performance from the 686 version ought to be better.

If you don't intend to use the kernel on any other platform than your P4, then the 686 version ought to be more suitable.

The versioning for 2.6 kernels as specified in the provided configuration options (for 2.6.8-11) is more specific: 386, 486, 586, Pentium-Classic, Pentium-MMX, Pentium-Pro, Pentium-II, Pentium-III, Pentium-4, K6, Athlon, Crusoe, Efficeon, Winchip-C6, Winchip-2, Winchip-2A, CyrixIII/VIA C3, VIA C3-2 for VIA C3-2 "Nehemiah" (model 9 and above). "686" is not listed, which is why I'm not quite sure about that binary. What I would do is install the 686 version and then drop back to 386 if it doesn't work.

I'm not sure if it can be done during installation....
But it can be easily installed upon your first boot with Apt.

If you have to install the 386, it will work. But you may be able to install a 686 version later. I generally have more than one version available at any one time and then choose which one to use at boot time.

The kernel-2.6.8-2-686 kernel contains optimizations for PIII/P4/Athlon processors. To install it:

---Me too; that is a fine idea; and can easily managed via GRUB.

---Correct; but...don´t forget to reboot when you're finished.....anyway the kernel install process will remind you, I think....

Good luck, :)