Hi,
I have downloaded the 2.6.15-6 linux kernel but having some problem running it. I have compiled the kernel to produce the bzImage and then copied the bzImage to the /boot directory. I have then done make modules_install to install the modules under /lib/modules/kernel-version directory. Now I have run the command mkinitrd to make the initial ramdisk and copied it to the /boot directory. I have modified the /etc/grub.conf to include the following lines (bzImage is renamed to vmlinuz-2.6.15.6 after copying)

title fedora-2.6.15
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.15.6.img ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.15.6.img

then I run the command grub-install /dev/hda.

Now, whenever I try to boot the new kernel, after uncompressing the kernel image it is giving "Kernel panic not syncing attempted to kill init" .I have also tried with the actual root partition name in the grub.conf file.

Am I missing some steps??

Thanks
shibdas

Yes, it seems that you missed a step or two......

The steps (after downloading and expanding);

(apply any wanted or neded patches here)
make mrproper

cp /boot/config-<kernel-version#>
Note: provides a starting point to build a working kernel, maybe you missed this one

make xconfig
Note: to tweak for your hardware and customize the kernel

make
Note: does the make bzImage and make modules steps at once (get used to it)

make modules_install
Note: installs the modules to the proper location

make install
Note: Does the mkinitrd, all the copying of the files required to boot the new kernel, the renaming of them and the gurb.conf (or lilo.conf) editing if needed. Maybe you missed something when you did this by hand.