[NTLUG:Discuss] suse kernel recompile

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Dennis Daupert wrote:
...
> I tried going thru make menuconfig, selecting and recompiling,
> and got a working kernel, tho some things are now broken (networking,
> for instance) and got the "kernel too big" message.
> 
> I'd like to use the previous suse .config, but apparently when suse does
> its installation it wipes the .config -- it's not in there.
> 
> Is there some way I can do this? I'm not deeply schooled enough yet
> to know all the things to select as modules, which to build in, which to
> skip.

As Rob said, you can uninstall and reinstall the kernel sources to get the 
original files back.  And yes, do a "cp .config .config.suse" to save that off.

This following is in /usr/src/README, but here's a summary...

I would suggest you do "make xconfig".  That will bring up a window of buttons 
for each area.  Click on 1 of those will bring up all the options for that 
area with Yes/Module/No checkboxes for each option.  Seeing it that way is 
*much* easier, IMHO.

When you've saved your choices, do a "make deps; make bzImage modules".  After 
those are done, you'll need to do "make modules_install".  Finally, you'll 
need to move your new kernel in place.  Do something like "cp 
arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz.new".  Assuming you use LILO, add a new 
entry into your /etc/lilo.conf file for this new kernel (always make a new 
entry to test and after it passes the tests, then you can move it so it 
becomes the default), and run "/sbin/lilo" (always run this command after 
_any_ change to your lilo.conf file).  Now you can reboot and choose that new 
entry to boot with and test.

I HTH, and Good luck!
Kevin