Can someone walk me through configuring the kernel in chapter 8.3, or does it need to be specially configured at all? This is my first time doing this and I got this far, and really don't want to screw up in the last chapter.

Nope, this is not possible. Since we do not know your hardware configuration this is the one chapter in LFS where you are basically on your own. But here is a useful hint:
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/hint...figuration.txt

I compiled my first kernel for LFS by simply using a config-file from another Linux distro that was installed on the same computer. So I just copied it over to the build directory and used 'make ... oldconfig' instead of menuconfig.

Later I switched to 'make defconfig' which was also fine in a VM.
BTW, what host are you using? Real computer or VM? If real, is there any other distro installed on it?

Im using a VM on my macbook. So can I use defconfig? And no, there is no other linux distro on it, but there can be in a short while.

Well, then defconfig is a good choice. I do recall that one time support was compiled for ext3 filesystem but not ext2. But I do not remember if this happened when I used defconfig or if I simply misconfigured. On my VM (VirtualBox) I also needed to compile the module 'pcnet32' to get the network card working. Not sure if this will also be an issue on your VM.
I suggest you just go with defconfig and see what happens when you try to boot.

Thanks. I'm also running VirtualBox so thats really encouraging. Also, do I still need to pass the LANG parameter?

I think I passed it back then; do not remember exactly, though. Just change menuconfig to defconfig.

As mentioned, run "make defconfig".

However, as a Gentoo user (in Gentoo, manual configuration during install can also be done), I must warn you that the filesystem will not be compiled in by default. You'll have to make sure to compile it in (not as a module, unless LFS uses a ramdisk (if it doesn't mention one, then it doesn't use one)).

I also have a computer where it will still fail to mount the root filesystem, as a necessary chipset driver (Nvidia chipset) is not included in "make defconfig" (but this does not appear to be the norm).

Just a note: an issue with the filesystem will report an error message along the lines of "VFS: not syncing".

I hope this helps.

Hi,
No, that is not necessary. Worst thing that can happen is that the menu's will look weird, but all the text will be readable and accessible (I never use the LANG option myself).

A few general pointers:

- Although it would be nice to have a working/bootable kernel the first time around, this is not needed. You can always re-enter the chrooted environment and rebuild the kernel again (redo the steps in chapter 8.3.1, except the installation of the Docs).

- You mention working on a macbook: Do include the apple specific option that are present in the kernel (and not the macintosh options). From the top of my head (but there could be more) they can be found here:
-- Device -> USB
-- Device -> Graphics -> Backlight

Hope this helps.