kernel compile--sarge--apt-get

[soulestream]

so i started playing with sarge this weekend. I replaced FC2 with it. everything seems to be pretty straight forward. I would like to go to kernel 2.6.10. Under apt-get the highest kernel source listed is 2.6.8.

1. can I put in a repos. that has 2.6.10 and use apt-get to get it.(i found an interesting howto on how to manually compile from apt-get sources I would like to try)
or
2. can I just download 2.6.10 kernel from kernel.org and install the same way I did on slackware?
or
3. is there a better way under debian.



soule

[TheFreak]

Use the latest kernel source and try looking at this guide
http://www.falkotimme.com/howtos/debian_kernel2.6_compile/index.php

[TheFreak]

Also there are some precompiled up to date kernels on unstable you could install.

[deathadder]

That guide looks cool, but if you have the packages,
kernel-package, libc6-dev, libncurses5-dev, module-init-tools, installed just get the kernel source from kernel.org and use make, make install and make modules_install like you would on Slackware. Its never caused a problem for me.

[serz]

If you want to compile it manually (not the "debian way"), then I'd suggest you to take a look at this (http://kerneltrap.org/node/799?PHPSESSID=6743f4edc8bffd7658c9e707be716bc2) guide.

[davisfactor]

I run Debian SID and compile all of my kernels manually.

I just don't trust another program messing with my kernel. :)

[soulestream]

well I tried the method in the link. at the same time I was doing the old fashion way on my slack box. I got slack up perfectly with no errors. I got sarge up but with about 200 errors. Know that said I have compiled the kernel on the slack box before and knew what to look for. the sarge box had never had a kernel compile so some of the errors(if not all) would be contributed to me.I think im going back to the old kernel and just do it the old fashion way.

Is it okay to just use the vanilla kernel and kernel.org or do I need some wierd debian kernel?



soule

[deathadder]

Its fine to use the sources from kernel.org. I do 90% of the time.

[davisfactor]

I do 100% of the time. I've never had any problems.

The main things to watch for are:

Compile your FS type into the kernel, whether it's EXT2 or EXT3 or REISER. The kernel defaults to loading them as modules.

Compile your IDE controllers in also. I don't think they're even selected by default.

Both of those have kept me from booting up before. Luckily I keep my old kernel around so I can boot into it should problems arise with the new kernel (which happens occasionally with new kernels)

I always copy the arch/i386/boot/bzImage , System.map and .config files to /boot and tag on the kernel's version number along with the number of times I've recompiled it.

For example, on my box now I have,

/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.5-r1 through r12
/boot/System.map-2.6.5-r1 through r12
/boot/config-2.6.5-r1 through r12

Then in my grub menu I just make an extra option for the new kernel and label it the default. That way I can always boot into an older kernel should the need arise.

Another helpful tip, which you probably already know since you compile your own kernels in slackware, is that you can use lspci to list the hardware you need to enable in the kernel.

[teeitup]

Refer to this document. Debian will let you install kernels at least 3 different ways.
precompiled with apt-get
Get the sources with apt-get and use the debian kernel tools.
Get the source from kernel.org and do the whole thing manually.

The tools debian supplies gives you complete control of the kernel and easy installation of the new kernel, modules, and boot loader. Very nice.

It's entirely your choice. It helps to understand the initrd file.

Debian Reference Document (the best I've ever found) (http://qref.sourceforge.net/Debian/reference/reference.en.html#contents)

Good Luck,

[TheFreak]

Tried a precompilied 2.6.10 on a debian sid. It seems ok, except that it gave a lot of trouble when I try to install nvidia drivers. Back to custom kernels for me.

[Eejay]

soulestream

I was having the same problem

turned out that the New kernel wasn't compatible with the Nvidia graphics card that is installed on my computer... wish I'd know about this problem before I went through all the trouble of having to apt-get and compile this and that the process was very time consuming.

[soulestream]

I solved my problems. I have just decided that me and debian are going to agree to disagree. Im back to my 2 slack boxes and FC3. all working happy know.


soule