Building a Kernel
 

Ok, I'm really sorry if this is a dumb question:

1) Can somebody please walk me through building and installing a new kernel (Fedora Core 1, current version 2.4, yes I have source installed) or reccomend a good website for a total linux-kernel-building n00b that totally explains it step-by-step?

2) I am installing a driver for my wireless card. It like patches the kernel or something, but it says I need to rebuild the kernel with the option of modules enabled. I can do this, but it asks me like 10,000 other questions, of which 10,000 of them I don't understand. I noticed that if you just press enter it accepts it. Is it using a default? Is it safe to do that?

Thanks,
DB03


[azqaz]

The Linux Kernel HOWTO is a pretty good place to start. I don't know of a step-by-step walkthrough, but once you get to the point of configuring it, the built-in documentation for each kernel configuration option should help you; for every config option, you can choose "help" to see a detailed explanation of what that option is for. It's best to learn by doing, I think.

If I understand your second question correctly, you're saying that you need to "enable support for modules"... is that correct? If so, you are probably OK; every standard distribution kernel already has modules enabled. However, if you're saying that the kernel needs to be patched, and a module needs to be built, then that would be part of the procedure of compiling your own kernel.

Is the "10,000 other questions" you refer to the config options of the kernel? For those, I think a default configuration is provided, but it's very probable that the default does not include many important things.

Anyhow, check out that HOWTO. I think it'll answer some of your questions.

NO.. if you use default options, you are going to cripple your system !
for example, default says to compile without ppp (dialup) support !!!!!

use "make menuconfig" or "make xconfig" to configure the kernel, then select load configureation file.enter the path '/boot/config-2.4.22-1.2115.nptl' (or similar depending on your system)

this file contains all the config options used to compile the fedora core 1 default kernel.

simple go into the network section, and add support for your card, but dont touch anything else (unless you understand what you are doing)

then your compiled kernel will be identile to your origonal, PLUS the wireless lan driver.

HOWEVER..... you will probably find that because you are re-compiling the same kernel version, you will over write your old kernel.... so maybe it is best to leave all other options alone.

may i also recomend you try a 2.6 kernel, i understand they have much greater support for wireless lan.

however if you do upgrade to 2.6, you will not be able to use the above method to configure... you will need to learn... READ READ READ and more READ !

hope i helped.

there are some great guides on compiling kernels on this site, read them.
but unfortunatly, you will not find a step by step guide for the configure stage...

every-one has different hardware, and needs different configureations.

ok thanks but when you say leave the stuff alone, how do I do that without doing y or n? is it jsut pressing enter?

lol....

to configure the ekrnel options.. use
"make xconfig"
or
"make menuconfig"

that will give you a graphical interface for the configure options,
after you load the configure file from /boot jump straight to the network section and into the network adapters area.

only change it so that your network card is supported.

ok thanks i'll try that

Hi there
Id like to add a question here

I dont have enough experience to know what I need and what i dont, although I chose help and read it. I dont understand it sometimes.
That causes the kernel being too big (1,9MB doesnt fit on a 1,4MB floppy what you might have noticed).

Isnt there any more detailed explanation, which says sth like "you dont need this if you dont want that" in an easy way?

is there any use in "Math emulation" for instance

thanks