I've just switched to gentoo, and I'm trying to set everything up again, and I've run into a problem. I use a pcmcia soundcard for recording, and it requires isa plug and play, wich depends on isa support, however I am unable to enable this in the kernel. In xconfig it's greyed out, and I can't figure out why. I tried to move back to 2.6.10 but had the same problem, I don't know what I'm doing differently, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

sure?

anyway:

(possible places)

Device Drivers --> Plug and Play --> ISA PNP
Bus Options --> ISA-Support
Device Drivers --> Sound... --> ALSA --> ISA...devices

In make menuconfig you can search for any keyword with: SHIFT+/ and then entering it...the other graphical utilities also should have a search function.

I know where the options are, the problem is that I can't check the boxes to enable them. As if they have some unlisted dependencies of their own wich have to be checked first, or perhaps ISA conflicts with something already enabled. I'm running 2.6.15 if that makes a difference. I previously had the card working well with 2.6.12, however in trying again with 2.6.12 just now, I had the same issue, so I don't think it's any recent kernel developement that's giving me trouble.

I also questioned why it would need ISA, when I plug in the card it's recognised properly. ALSA lists it as a dependency(for the vxpocket specifically), so I haven't been able to build the driver. It's wierd.

Might be a (option) dependancy issue - try a diff on the .config's
Can be a bitch to plough through, but might be worth a go. Unfortunately you can't even parse out comment lines; you need them for non-selected options.

Edit: just noticed this bit "I previously had the card working well with 2.6.12, however in trying again with 2.6.12 just now, I had the same issue, so I don't think it's any recent kernel developement that's giving me trouble."
Mmmmm - maybe ignore my suggestion.

I have verified this on the kernel-source for 2.6.15-gentoo-r1 before I posted - even ran make mrproper before I checked - to rule out any possible default setting hiding some option - and I was using make menuconfig
What option are you looking for? Any of these you can't select?

I had also a problem with greyed out options, and the solution was to enable CONFIG_EXPERIMENTAL in the Code maturity level options.
CONFIG_EXPERIMENTAL=y
Maybe this will work also for you.
Good luck