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Re: Debian queries



On Sunday 21 March 2004 02:39, Roberto Sanchez wrote:
> users@linuxforums.org wrote:
> >>It's perfectly possible to
> >>install 2.6 even on the current stable, albeit with a few backports
> >
> > of
> >
> >>things like module-init-tools and e2fsprogs
> >
> > I am too much of a newbie to attempt such a thing.  I was raised on
> > BASIC, on the Timex-Sinclair, C64, TI-994A, then moved to Unix
> > briefly in college.  However, I have been made largely spoon fed via
> > Windows since then.  I had to relearn all the fun Unix commands and
> > directories when starting to work with Linux.  I have lots of work to
> > do before I can handle things like the above, or even compiling my
> > own kernel/modules.  Please be patient :)
> >
> > Thanks for the insight, everyone...looks like I will be giving Debian
> > a try, but if (and when) I run into issues, I will be back!
>
> For the first year I used Linux (3 months RH before switching
> to Debian), I was totally petrified of the thought of compiling
> my own kernel.  I ended up just jumping in one day and doing
> the `make xconfig && make dep && make bzImage && so on`.
> I spent two hours reading every help entry in the xconfig
> interface.
>
> Later, I discovered kernel-package.  I read all the docs in
> the kernel-package package and learned to build my own kernels
> in a much more efficient way.
>
> Since my "doing it the hardway" approach, someone else has been
> kind enough to document the process step-by-step:
>
> http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net/system/kernel-pkg.html
>
> My reccomendation is to download the kernel-source-* package
> that corresponds to the kernel you run now.  Use the configuration
> for your currently running kernel (since you know it works).
> After going through the process a few times, you will begin to
> feel comfortable tweaking and changing settings.

I guess it is worth asking the question why bother?

I just apt-get install kernel-image-2.6.x-k7-1 (were x is currently at 4 
reflecting the latest kernel release, and k7 is because I have an athlon xp) 
and the latest kernel is all set up for me.  Once I am happily booting into 
the latest version I can apt-get remove one of the older releases so I don't 
have too many versions in my grub menu. (It is perfectly possible to run with 
several versions installed so there is always a backward path if you need it)

The image install scripts update either lilo or (in my case) grub

Especially for a newbie - I can see little reason to try and build your own 
kernel.


-- 
Alan Chandler
alan@chandlerfamily.org.uk
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,
 then they fight you, then you win. --Gandhi



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