In alt.os.linux.gentoo, oldNbald uttered the immortal words:

> I've read the Gentoo Handbook, and many web pages, but where
> can I read more on how to do this successfully as I have mentioned?

FWIW I started with a kernel source tree without a .config file and typed
"make menuconfig". I then went through /every/ menu item and made my
choices that way. I really only had to make choices based on my hardware
and other features that I wanted but doing it this way made sure I didn't
accidentally miss something important. It only has to be done once. There's
"make oldconfig" for when a new kernel version is released.

A lot of options have some help text with a handy "If you're not sure say N
(or sometimes Y) here" type of thing at the bottom.

--
Andy.

Matt Klink wrote:

>> Genkernel goes for the wide range of hardware, etc. and therefore
>> produces a larger kernel.
>
> that's what the --menuconfig is there for!

If one knows what to do there, you might as well run make menuconfig
yourself.

> AFAIK does genkernel try to autodetect the stuff you "might" need.
> genkernel's config suggestion is at least at a good starting point for
> beginners.

Except when it gets it all horribly, horribly wrong. And that has
happened quite a few times, according to what I see on IRC.

Another thing is that (IIRC) it uses the initrd, which is another
typical confusing point of failure if something goes wrong. And this is
also something I've seen happen to unfortunate users on IRC.

So in conclusion, if genkernel works for you, great. However, there are
configurations out there where genkernel really *sucks*!

--
PeKaJe

It takes a brave man to admit his mistakes.
Especially in a paternity hearing.

Moritz Klein has offered us the following clue :

>> that's what the --menuconfig is there for!

Yep, I use the --menuconfig option.
Just for information, how big is your kernel ?

Mine (iee1394, usb) is

2411873 : kernel-2.6.10-gentoo-r4
1272222 : initrd-2.6.10-gentoo-r4

Andy Fraser wrote:
> In alt.os.linux.gentoo, oldNbald uttered the immortal words:
>
> > I've read the Gentoo Handbook, and many web pages, but where
> > can I read more on how to do this successfully as I have mentioned?
>
> FWIW I started with a kernel source tree without a .config file and
typed
> "make menuconfig". I then went through /every/ menu item and made my
> choices that way.


Same here. I did it once long ago, and as I learned more, gradually
went back and corrected my mistakes over a few months. Also, you might
find "make xconfig" slightly easier to comprehend (since it shows the
help for every option on the same screen with the option).

It's also a little easier with the trial and error if you write a
little shell script to put in /usr/src/linux/ that does the
post-compile commands for you. Example:

mount /boot
cp System.map /boot/System.map-2.6.7-ck5
cp .config /boot/config-2.6.7-ck5
cp arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.7-ck5
umount /boot

This way each iteration is just
make xconfig;make install;make
modules_install;./update_kernel.sh;shutdown -r now

Assuming your new kernel then at least boots, just post the specifics
of each remaining problem here (the exact hardware + the exact symptom
w/logs), and people with help you out.

oldNbald enlightened us with:
> Those are the problems - "audio, net connection, firewall and CD
> burning".

Those aren't problems, those are a piece of hardware, an ordering of
electrons, a piece of software, and an action. A problem would be
"I've got a network card of <brand> and <type>, but I can't see it in
the output of ifconfig.".

> Right under my nose ! Didn't know about them thar pages - I'm gonna
> have to do some reading. Thank you, sir.



Sybren
--
The problem with the world is stupidity. Not saying there should be a
capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the
safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

Andy Fraser enlightened us with:
> FWIW I started with a kernel source tree without a .config file and
> typed "make menuconfig". I then went through /every/ menu item and
> made my choices that way. I really only had to make choices based on
> my hardware and other features that I wanted but doing it this way
> made sure I didn't accidentally miss something important.

Same here. It's the best way of learning how to compile a kernel.

Sybren
--
The problem with the world is stupidity. Not saying there should be a
capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the
safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

Matt Klink wrote:
[...]
> genkernel's config suggestion is at least at a good starting point for
> beginners.

I'm thankful for it - couldn't have done it without genkernel. But now I
want to try again without genkernel.
--
oNb
Another happy Linux user - # 276084.
Reject religion ! Embrace Jesus Christ.

Andy Fraser wrote:
> FWIW I started with a kernel source tree without a .config file and
> typed "make menuconfig". I then went through /every/ menu item and

I still tend to do that every time I compile a kernel. Well... I make
oldconfig first, and then go through every item with my old config.

Something I did want to know... occasionally you see NEW at the end of an
option... does that mean "never before configured"? If thats the case then
I can just look at the new stuff in future and quit wasting so much time.

Ben
--
A7N8X FAQ: www.ben.pope.name/a7n8x_faq.html
Questions by email will likely be ignored, please use the newsgroups.
I'm not just a number. To many, I'm known as a String...

Albert wrote:

> Just for information, how big is your kernel ?
>
> Mine (iee1394, usb) is
>
> 2411873 : kernel-2.6.10-gentoo-r4
> 1272222 : initrd-2.6.10-gentoo-r4

Mine or Klien's? Well, since you've gone ahead and shown me yours, I'll show
you mine <g>:

2,035,279 kernel-2.6.9-gentoo-r4
1,506,893 initrd-2.6.9-gentoo-r4
--
oNb
Another happy Linux user - # 276084.
Reject religion ! Embrace Jesus Christ.

Albert wrote:
> Yep, I use the --menuconfig option.
> Just for information, how big is your kernel ?
my current one looks like that ..
(but I have others in spare :-)

gentoo:/boot> ls -alt *2.6.10*
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1165045 Feb 8 01:01 initrd-2.6.10-gentoo-r6
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1777159 Feb 8 00:55 kernel-2.6.10-gentoo-r6
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 876630 Feb 8 00:55 System.map-2.6.10-gentoo-r6

running on a DELL inspiron 8600 with nvidia GForce5200.
USB is working, of course! ieee1394 never tested.

nvidia driver seems to be fine, too ..

matt@gentoo:~> glxgears
9891 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1978.200 FPS
10143 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2028.600 FPS
10058 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2011.600 FPS
10090 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2018.000 FPS
10101 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2020.200 FPS
10073 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2014.600 FPS
10078 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2015.600 FPS

I'm comfortable with gentoo and never had _real_ problems with portage.


HTH
Matt