Hi,
This is related to my earlier post. What is the difference between a 2.6.3-7mdk kernel that comes with Mandrake as an RPM and the 2.6.3 kernel one might download from kernel.org? In other words does Mandrake do something special to their kernel packages that allows them to boot correctly under their rc scripts for example?

Thanks,
Brian

hi there

i am using a custom kernel
not the one that comes with mandrake
the differnce is that mandrake sets the options which it thinks will be better and the kernel that u get from kernel.org .has no configration i.e u willl have to set the options that u waant to build in the kernel.
the source code will be the same in both case
only configuration is imaportant, i have designed my own kenrel according to my needs

regards

I think the kernel you get from Mandrake is already compiled, while the one you get from kernel.org is the source code and must be compiled . That's the reason why there is a separate package on the Mandrake CDs with the kernel-source.
If you compile your kernel from source you can configure it to suit exactly the specific hardware on your system. For example, why would you need an ATI Radeon module in your kernel if you have an Nvidia graphic board ?
On the other hand the precompiled Mandrake kernel includes anything you can imagine so the Mandrake installation will run smoothly and a huge range of peripherals will be detected and configured.

True the Mandrake kernel has a lot of drivers and such configured to be compiled in or as modules, but I think you'll also find it has some patches applied which aren't in the vanilla source of say 2.6.8.1. IIRC they had additions to supermount before they were in the default kernel.

Masand,
The first thing I did was copy the 2.6.3-7mdk .config into the new 2.6.10 kernel source folder. Then I changed 1 network hardware option and saved, compiled it, and it would not mount the root file system. It gives a kernel panic message and locks up. So I changed the 1 hardware option back and recompiled. Still got the same problem. Any ideas?

Thanks for your suggestion though. Its nice to know there are others who have tried the same thing who I can talk to.

Where did you get your kernel from? Did you copy the .config file from the old kernel source folder to the new kernel source or set it up manually? What kernel and version were you originally using?

I have tried this many times going through the standard kernel recompile procedure, that I got out of a new Linux Admin book. I have successfully compiled and used the RPM kernel source that comes with Mandrake many times. Its just this non mandrake kenel thats causing problems.

Thanks
Brian

u need not copy that config file

instead run "make xconfig"from the kernel source and then
laod the mdk config file there
and then save that and compile ur kernel without changing ur option
it shoud go fine and the source form mandrake and from kenrel.org cannot be differnt since LINUX =kernel from kernel.org

regards

I am getting different opinions on this from Masand and Proud. Thanks guys for your responses. I believe Proud is right about this patch thing. I have done what you are talking about masand. This forum is really a last resort from an ultra extended Linux install for a friend that has turned into WWIII. My next offensive will be changing and cleanly installing from 10.0 to 10.1 unless I can figure out whats going on.

Thanks for the suggestion Biased turkey, I am compiling and installing my kernel from source as per the standard protocol that I see everywhere on the web in forums and Documentation and my trusty Linux admin book. I really have tried all the common sense stuff and I have exhausted all my resources. This forum post is a last resort for me and I believe it uncovers a strange characteristic of Mandrakes kernel.

If anyone can elaborate on the specifics of this difference please do so. I can't find it in Mandrake's Doc's

Thanks all,
Brian

Maybe the Changelog entries from the Maximum info action of the package manager would help point out the changes? Or try any documentation with the sources, in seperate .rpms, or found in /usr/share/doc/