Hi folx,


warning:



redhat9 (shrike) kernel version 2.4.20-8

ok...my computer specs, in case it helps:
AMD Athlon XP +2200 @1.8ghz, OC 2.0ghz
512mb DDR
nvidia geforce 4, 128mb ddr, 4x (drivers installed, figured that out)
dual booting winxppro and redhat9 on 2 hdd
hdd0 = 120gb Maxtor, winxp
hdd1 = 10gb Western Digital, Redhat 9

I downloaded the redhat9 ISO's from BitTorrent, so apparently I cant get any support or updates out of redhat networks (rhn) until I cough up some $$ for entitlements...??...is this true?

Anyways, the first run through I did a lot of experimenting and have since reinstalled redhat to get a clean slate. (put it this way, the first time it took me an entire day just to figure out how to change runlevel so I could get out of X server and install the nvidia drivers...this second time it took me 10 minutes...and most of that was the reboot...LOL)

During that experimental run I tried to go through rhn and register my system, send them my info, and download the fixes/patches/updates that I needed. In the end it says I cant because I dont have the entitlements or whatever that means. Besides, I didnt like sending them my info in the first place, and now they will NOT get my money because they could have told me before I sent my info that I wasnt going to get anything back from it, now they have my info and I got SQUAT. Reminds me of Microshaft.

Anyway, I would like to figure out how to update my kernel to the latest version, which I believe is 2.4.20-19-9. And also how to apply updates that I need...in fact, how to first find those updates...what is the best way to determine what updates I need?

I dont expect anyone to do the whole thing for me...just pont me in the right direction...Im not lazy...just lookin for a little guidance.

I can't vouch for/against RH in this, because I haven't run a recent version of it. If it is true that they're demanding (to my experience, demands are often "soft", meaning that you can usually find a link past their request to subscribe) you to pay, you might find RH based kernels on the web, at another location. Also, you can try a manual install, which might be more complicated, but if you follow the instructions, will improve your knowledge of linux several fold.

http://www.kernel.org/

is a decent place. Download, untar/unbzip, read the README and Changes files, and follow those instructions. (Changes tells you any dependencies--updated files that are needed to support the kernel, readme has the instructions for the actual compile.) It sounds harder than it is, but it's not something you want to do when you're in a hurry or drunk, of course, at least not the first time.

Essentially, the advantage with linux is that no matter the distro's demands, you're always free to add your own stuff. It may not be a cakewalk all the time, but it beats MS's option.

Lastly, you can try another distro. I'm not a RH basher, because I can understand them wanting to capitalize on their name recognition, but pissing off the average consumer is also not the way to do business and succeed. The only reason MS got away with it was because everybody had the impression that there was no other option. Now there are dozens.