Hi, I know that this might be very stupid but i am quite new to linux.
I downloaded Linux-2.6.19.2.tar.bz2 and i want to install it. I checked README file and i only understood that i have to type make mproper command. all the rest was very confusing. I don't want to just do what I "THINK" I am supposed to do, Because as far as i understand Kernel is the core of linux, and i don't want to mess it up. Also, i checked today the website www.kernel.org, and i found out that there is a patch for kernel-2.6.20.rc6, How do I go about installing both Kernel-2.6.19.2 and Applying the Patch for Kernel 2.6.20.rc6.

Again, My questions are:
How do I install Linux-2.6.19.2?
How do I apply the Patch for Kernel-2.6.20.rc6??

Please, Guide me STEP-BY-STEP?
Thanx in advance.

Look down in the Linux-Distributions forum for your distribution. There should be some help on building kernels. I know how to do debian, but none of the rest. Also, it's probably not a good idea to try to go to 2.6.20. For a start, madwifi doesn't compile, and there might be other things, as well. I'd stay with 2.6.19.2 as a max, if I were you.

It looks like you want to do a manual compile/install rather than use your distro's tools. If so, have a look here at http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=127095 - it's a good starting point since it's unlikely that someone will want to write you a howto when so many other docs already exist for this.

Once you've read through it, ask any specific questions you have...

As far as patching goes, to get to 2.6.20-rc6 you'll need to start from linux-2.6.19.tar.bz2 and apply the patch to it. Have a look at the patch command (man patch) and also in your kernel source tree under Documentation/applying-patches.txt.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to get to 2.6.20 either, you'll have plenty of fun with 2.6.19.2 and as Quakeboy02 has pointed out, there's at least one known problem with it...

1) start with extracting the kernel.
2) The extract here option creates a folder name x.y.z_files which will comtain another folder 2.6.18.
3) cut this folder and put this in the root dir
4) go to the terminal and go to the folder 2.6.18
5) type make menuconfig.
6) Here u can configure the kernel.
7) If u dont want to change any thing the minimun u need to do is go to the file system option and make ext3 as in kernel.
8) Next save the settings and exit.
9) Next type make && make module_install && make install
10) This will do the rest.reboot and enjoy

Kernel compile guide for a Slack based distro:

http://alien.slackbook.org/dokuwiki/...kernelbuilding

GREAT RESOURCE!!