[SOLVED] Which kernel?

stf92 · 07-31-2014, 12:51 AM

Hi: I have an old Dragon Linux distribution based on Slackware 7.1. This booted from an DOS/Windows O.S. I created a new partition, moved a file BZIMAGE to /boot and installpkg'd the packages. The system performs OK. However, it includes a package ide.tgz, with another kernel image: vmlinuz.

Code:

$ file BZIMAGE
Linux kernel boot executable bzImage, version 2.2.16 (root@bigkitty) #16 Fri, RO-rootFS, root_dev=0x303, Normal VGA
$file vmlinuz
Linux kernel boot executable bzImage, version 2.2.16 (root@bigkitty) #97 Fri, RW-rootFS, root_dev=0x303, Normal VGA

In fact there also is a scsi.tgz.

The thing is that the ide.tgz package not only includes vmlinuz but System.map and config. My question is: of these two kernels, which should I use and should I use an initrd? The machine has both IDE and SATA controllers, though at this time I only use IDE (PATA).

Ztcoracat · 08-01-2014, 09:44 PM

Hi:

I looked on the kernel archives website and I didn't find kernel 2.2.16-
The long term mentioned is the 2.6.32.63 version of the kernel.
https://www.kernel.org/

I found kernel 2.2 in this index dated 2005. This was before I knew Linux, sorry.
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.2/

It's probably best to wait for a member with more experienced with the kernel-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initrd
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Initrd

stf92 · 08-02-2014, 03:11 AM

I have a more important question I think: Why doesn't BZIMAGE need the System.map and config files? I know System.map is kind of a symbol table (wikipedia). About config I know nothing. Another question would be: how does lilo know what System.map and config files to use? In lilo.conf I only write the path for the kernel image, and the name of this file could be anything, as long as it matches the name given in lilo.conf.

Ztcoracat · 08-02-2014, 11:32 AM

After reading this I wondered....
https://lists.debian.org/debian-isp/.../msg00052.html

Is the wrong map being seen or is it like the man said the syntax is wrong?
Maybe there is more than one map?

I'm looking here for possible answers.
Found that here: http://homepage.smc.edu/morgan_david...ilo-readme.txt

"A map file (/boot/map) containing the location of the kernel, and the lilo command (/sbin/lilo), which reads the configuration file and uses the information to create or update the map file and to install the files LILO needs."
http://docstore.mik.ua/orelly/linux/lnut/ch04_02.htm

Quote:

how does lilo know what System.map and config files to use?

I'm trying to find out-

stf92 · 08-02-2014, 12:22 PM

The second link is very interesting reading. I love lilo. What's the need of grub?

Ztcoracat · 08-02-2014, 12:40 PM

Evidently there is only one other map file. (/boot/map) (unless I misunderstand)

There is only one other map file that specifies an alternative map file.
The map installer program /sbin/lilo updates the boot sector and creates the mapfile.
A new map is created for the images described in the configuration file /etc/lilo.conf and registered in the boot sector.

/sbin/lilo with (-v) list's the currently mapped files. Notice it says "files" How many is what I'm having trouble finding out--
If the (-c) option is omitted than the /etc/lilo.conf is used.

The LILO map installer can be invoked in the following ways:
http://lilo.alioth.debian.org/olddoc...html#x1-320004

Quote:

What's the need of grub?

LOL!

stf92 · 08-02-2014, 02:37 PM

In the old days of MS-DOS the IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS had to be the first files in the partition. That way, it was very easy to load them.

Ztcoracat · 08-02-2014, 07:56 PM

Even after finding the info. on initrd and initramfs it's not exactly clear which you should use-
Perhaps this is about preference?

Both initrd and ramfs are zipped at compile time, but the difference is, initrd is a block device unpacked to be mounted by the kernel at booting, while ramfs is unpacked via cpio into memory-

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1...-and-initramfs

stf92 · 08-07-2014, 03:14 PM

Thank you Ztcoracat. The information you have provided me is very useful.

Ztcoracat · 08-08-2014, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stf92

Thank you Ztcoracat. The information you have provided me is very useful.

Your Welcome-

Always glad to help.

Have a good weekend stf92!

Didier Spaier · 08-08-2014, 11:30 AM

[wrong post]

Didier Spaier · 08-08-2014, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ztcoracat

Both initrd and ramfs are zipped at compile time, but the difference is, initrd is a block device unpacked to be mounted by the kernel at booting, while ramfs is unpacked via cpio into memory

Exactly. But what can confuse people is that files /syslinux/initrd.img in a Slackware media as well as /boot/initrd.gz output of /sbin/mkinitrd are actually initramfs, despite their names

Ztcoracat · 08-08-2014, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Didier Spaier

Exactly. But what can confuse people is that files /syslinux/initrd.img in a Slackware media as well as /boot/initrd.gz output of /sbin/mkinitrd are actually initramfs, despite their names

I can see where it could be a tad confusing:-
Thanks!