i have built many kernels and am wondering if it is neccessary to do "make mrproper" before every kernel build. The instructions only specifically state to do "make mrproper" after you first unpack the kernel. Anybody have any ideas since it is a lot faster to not do "make mrproper". The reason is that it only recompiles things in the kernel that have been changed in the config file. This thread is for users to post what they do as i cannot find anywhere else stating this. It would help me to know.(i compile many kernels). I am also not a newbie so feel free to give me indepth answers

for slackware I go to kernel.org and download the newest 2.6 kernel to /usr/src then this will put your new kernel in /boot as vmlinuz
if you have another vmlinuz there it will become vmlinuz.old
add a new entry with vmlinuz.old to save the old kernel
for lilo run lilo
for grub edit /boot/grub/grub.conf or /boot/grub/menu.lst

I only every do a rmproper when I manage to screw something up, and need to "clean up" before restarting.

However, I always copy my .config over and do an "oldconfig" before the "menuconfig".
YMMV.

thanks syg00, i will probably stop doing "make mrproper" every time as it is quicker not to do that. thanks.

P.S. BTW, what does YMMV mean?

You mileage may vary - acronymfinder.com is a handy place to bookmark.

ok . Thanks.