After reading various README's and HOWTO's, I'm attempting to compile kernel 2.6.5 from my home directory, without logging on as "root." In one place the 2.6.XX README says:So, I did that and thenThis is a small sample of the configuration windowIf I
all is well.

Now when I unpack the tarball in /usr/src/ and run the same commands, everything is fine with make xconfig.

Another part of the README says: The use of the reference to /usr/src/ confuses me based on the first quote from the README. To the point of this quote--I haven't tried it yet--if I use the make 0= option, the way I read this, is that the kernel will be installed in my home directory. I don't want that.

Here is what I'm asking:[list=1][*]What's causing the gibberish when I <make xconfig> from my home directory?[*]Will using the <make 0=> option install both the kernel--bzImage, vmliuz--and the modules in the directories where they usually go--/boot/ and /lib/modules?[/list=1]
It would be easier just to "cave in" and build from /usr/src/ as root, but I don't want to concede defeat.

Thanks.

This means: If there is a /usr/src/linux already (that comes with your running/stable distribution),
do NOT remove or touch it before the new kernel is ready and fine.

xconfig might(?) relay on informations only visible to root

Just use /usr/src/linux-2.X.Y, and compile as root using make without special options - no worries,
it's easy

There's one thing missing in the README: After "make modules_install" copy System.map to the
place where your regular bootable kernel is found, and rename it to System.map-2.X.Y
(e.g. cp System.map /boot/System.map-2.6.5)

Tried to see the
OOOOOO OOOO OOOOOO OOOO OOOOO ....
in original, but a window came up hiding them

Thanks pdug.

Sometimes trying to pull all the documentation together and meld it with the different ways more experienced users do things gets confusing. I've read so much "Don't do that as root!" that I'm getting gun shy of it. I've only broken my set up twice as root since I started using linux in February.

Speaking of breaking my set up I learned: just before I broke it the last time.

Thanks again.

While I'm at this, I found a very good discussion and general directions for compiling and installing a kernel on pp 301-320 (actually Chapter 15) of Linux Power Tools by Roderick W. Smith. I got it at Borders. Additionally gives a file that's really good about make targets and what to do. I learned from that file that I could make an rpm if I wanted to.