Whats the difference between compiling a kernel and using an rpm?

[carbon-12]

^^
I dont want to change any modules, just to upgrade from 2.4.22 to 2.6.1 on a fedora system. Is there any performance gained by installing the new kernel via compiling?

[nabis]

that's what you are compiling a kernel for, to gain performance (at least in your imagination :))
It takes 3 tries to get it bootalbe though :D

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by nabis

It takes 3 tries to get it bootalbe though :D

Really? It's never taken me more than once. :)

Installing a 'pre'-compiled kernel package will have just about everything enabled so to support a wide range of hardware etc., while a custom compiled kernel can be configured for only your particular hardware and requirements.

[Icarus]

The difference between a pre-compiled and a roll your own is not much, expecially if you use the same config

Most pre-compiled kernels are made very general, compiled for i386 or even i586 (most CPUs in the last couple years fall into the i686 catagory) but the speed difference is not much. Most pre-compiled kernels also rely heavily on modules, almost everything is made into a module to keep the generic kernel small.

[carbon-12]

Great, thanx guys