I recently attempted to compile a new kernel in arch linux (current). I get an unable to mount root fs on unknown-device(0,0).

The whole point of this kernel recompile is to get rid of scsi emulation, as it messes with DMA and I can no longer make backups of my dvds or my software discs. I'm assuming I have left out some modules during the make menuconfig stage?

I can post files (.config, menu.lst from grub) if anyone thinks they can take a look and help me figure it out.

I read through another thread on this forum (here) and the solution proposed on the last post seems possible.

Also: when selecting filesystems, should they be <M> or <*> ?

is your harddrive a SATA or IDE? you might have left out support for them, also did you make an intrid image?

It's an IDE drive, but the default arch kernel now has scsi emulation by default.

and i'm assuming you do a mkinitrd -g </boot/kernel-image-you-just-created>

does this require the Device Drivers->Block devices->RAM disk support->Initial RAM disk (initrd) support

--edit--
Also since i get the kernel panic, the only way i can think to recompile with different modules is to boot into a live cd, mount my root partition, chroot, and go from there, is this the best way?

didn't you keep your other kernel?
yes I'm pretty sure it needs that option compiled in

I have gotten it to boot now, it gives me some "FATALS" at the beginning, telling me some modules could not be found. What is the log i would see these in? I checked dmesg, but it wasnt helpful in that aspect.

Also I loaded the network device driver that matched my ehternet interface, but I am unable to get ethernet working.

This portion: solved
Didn't have the proper ethernet loaded, and was missing the IDE module.

I have really learned a lot from trial and error in the past few days, considering how much i didn't know before, and the fact that this has been my first attempt at compiling a kernel.