I am new to Linux, I have Red Hat 7.2 . And I want to play around with the kernel. My current version says 2.4.7-10, and most of the procedure says to download a latest kernel image from linux.org and put this in my /usr/src/linux directory...But i have /usr/src/redhat/...Also if I download any new image - and follow the installation...I am concerened my devices will work properly ?

Can anyone help me pointing out the simple steps to compile the latest kernel, and let me know the effects on my machine peripherals (device drivers) ?

Compiling a new kernel is a major task, not at all something for a newbie. Red Hat 7.2 is at least 4 years old I think. If you have a high speed connection, you can download the newest version of Red Hat, which is called Fedora Core 3. I would strongly suggest download some new distro (any is fine, doesn't have to be Fedora Core 3). You can't update the packages from Red Hat 7.2 anymore. You could get a new kernel, and then upgrade things, but that is so much work and downloading that you'd be better off just getting a new distrobution. If you don't have high speed, you can usually get CD's with a distro on them for like $2 or so.

Peace,
JimBass

Thanks for your sugestion. I have DSL , so I believe I will be able to download it from Red Hat web site. However I still have two questions :

1. In case I chose the download option. Should I have to burn the whole image to a CD ? And create a boot disk, and do my hrd disk partition, and follow the installation ?

2. In case I buy the CD, where to find it from ? Can you give me some links ?
I believe I have to back up all the files...in case I have to reformat my HD.

My email is rafiqul_a@hotmail.com

Thanks
Rafiqul

If you download the CD's, they will be in the form of .iso files. You do NOT want to burn the iso file directly, that would be like trying to install from a .zip file - it isn't useable, it is slightly compressed. What you should do is download the .iso file, then use NERO, and select "burn image" under the file button. Point nero at the .iso file, and it will "translate" it into a working form. Whatever burning program you use should have a "burm image" choice, and that is what you want. AN .iso file isn't actually compressed, I think it is a like a map of the directories and files, but in any case if you just copy an .iso onto a disk it will be useless, it has to be converted.

If the machine can boot from CDRom, you have no need for a boot disk to install. If it is old and can't boot from CDRom, then you will need a boot disk to access the installers on the CD.

Here is a link to a location to buy the Fedora Core disk I mentioned before.
http://www.linuxcd.org/view_item.php...bc7220ff95144f

You can get many distrobutions from them, if you want a different one, feel free to try them instead.

I would suggest completely formatting your machine when installing the new OS. If you just installed 7.2 and didn't do anything, then there is nothing worth saving. If you did work on the machine and want that saved, then you should do something with the data, burn it off, copy it to the network, or anything along those lines. You have no need to backup things if you just built is recently.

Besides all of that, every question you asked is asked in this forum frequently. The search feature is your friend. Look up what you are trying to do, and this site and google probably has the answer. We don't mind answering the same questions over and over again, but you'll get much faster results by searching before you post.

Peace,
JimBass