Re: compiling a new kernel
"Bruce" == Bruce Park <bpark79@hotmail.com> writes:
Bruce> Hello debian users, I'm currently using the 2.4.18-bf2.4
Bruce> kernel and I would like to use a new kernel so that I can
Bruce> have access to my ms sidewinder joystick.
Bruce> Since I'm new to kernel compiling, I was wondering if
Bruce> anyone can give me some pointers on this. For example, I
Bruce> don't even know what new kernel to choose. The current
Bruce> kernel that I have on my system was chosen for it's ability
Bruce> with USB devices. I noticed the other flavors didn't have
Bruce> such a good choice when loading the device modules during
Bruce> installation.
Hi Bruce,
Your best bet would be to install the standard 2.4.18 kernel first (I
know nothing about the ms sidewinder joystick so I cannot tell if it
is supported, but I do see a module called sidewinder.o in the
image). The prebuilt Debian kernels are very well put together and you
rarely need to build your own unless you have very estoteric
needs. The bf2.4 kernel is limited by the desire to keep it on floppies
during installation.
So, what are your options? Well....
shyamal@rattler:~$ apt-cache search kernel-image-2.4.18
kernel-headers-2.4.18-bf2.4 - Headers for Linux kernel version 2.4.18 (bf variant) on 386
kernel-image-2.4.18-386 - Linux kernel image for version 2.4.18 on 386.
kernel-image-2.4.18-586tsc - Linux kernel image for version 2.4.18 on Pentium-Classic.
kernel-image-2.4.18-686 - Linux kernel image 2.4.18 on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/PIV.
kernel-image-2.4.18-686-smp - Linux kernel image 2.4.18 on PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/PIV SMP.
kernel-image-2.4.18-bf2.4 - Linux kernel image for version 2.4.18 (bf variant) on 386.
kernel-image-2.4.18-k6 - Linux kernel image for version 2.4.18 on AMD K6/K6-II/K6-III
kernel-image-2.4.18-k7 - Linux kernel image for version 2.4.18 on AMD K7
pcmcia-modules-2.4.18-bf2.4 - PCMCIA Modules for Linux (kernel 2.4.18-bf2.4).
shyamal@rattler:~$
Pick the 2.4.18-{arch} package that best matches your needs (use -386
if you are truly lost). Get a root prompt and type 'apt-get install
kernel-image-2.4.18-{arch}' and follow the instructions for the initrd
line you need to add to your /etc/lilo.conf file and you should be
set. As long as you add the initrd stuff as instructed you should just
have to reboot to get the new kernel.
Likely, you will find your ethernet card or similar hardware might
stop working. This is because bf2.4 has stuff built into it that the
other images do not, and when you switch to these kernels you need to
explicitly load them. If you don't know how to work with /etc/modules
to fix this read 'man modules' and look in dmesg to determine what
hardware drivers are being used. There is also a tool (modconf?) to do
this, but I've never used it. If you don't get anywhere with that,
post here for help.
Doing a 'modprobe sidewinder' might be enough to get the joystick to
work. If so, add it to /etc/modules. But I really do not have a clue
about this ;-)
Cheers!
Shyamal
Reply to: