I've searched everywhere and I can't find anywhere explaining how to compile linux for x86_64. I downloaded the ltest kernel source off of kernel.org (2.6.8.1), and configured it for an Athlon64 chip. However, it appears that it's still a 32 bit kernel, due to the fact that the nforce3 64 bit drivers do not install, and the ut2k4 64 bit client won't execute.

I just can't seem to find anywhere to configure the kernel or my a64 bit architecture.



I guess the standard info is necessary:
Debian unstable
Kernel 2.6.8.1
ASUS K8N-E with nForce3 250GB chipset
AMD Athlon64 3000+

hi there

maybe this link will help u in compiling ur kernel

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont...Technology.htm

regards

That article makes it seem that you have to edit the kernel source in order to compile for amd64 architecture. Isn't there just some option that I have to switch in order to build a 64 bit kernel?

I also don't need to port any drivers (that I know of), i just want to build a 64 bit kernel, preferably using the standard make menuconfig, make modules_install, make install. Isn't there a quick and easy way of doing this?

When you use make menuconfig, go to Processor type and features -> Processor Family and select Opteron/Athlon64/Hammer/K8. Can't help you any further. Don't have a AMD64 yet.


Maybe this can help you.
http://users.idf.de/~fs/debian-amd64-howto.html

Ok, that helps a bit more. I still don't quite understand how it all works, but I compiled a 64 bit kernel in a chroot which i can boot into (with some errors). If I'm understanding this correctly, I _HAVE_ to reinstall linux from scratch on a new partition to get a 64 bit kernel, and even then, there is no module support. Is this true? It also makes it sound that I'll need to run some 32 bit applications in a 32 bit chroot on the 64 bit kernel, which is pretty lame.

Oh well, even if I have to, I'm supposed to get a new sata drive tomorrow and I'll probably have to reinstall from scratch anyway. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the help!

I'm working on trying to do the same thing and not 100% successful (yet) but have figured out that you need to add ARCH="x86_64" to the make options IE. "make ARCH="x86_64" menuconfig"