Bootsplash

[Ron]

Thankyou Kevin,

I am new to Linux and agree these instructions are just what I was looking 
for.  

Ron

On August 1, 2003 06:06 pm, Kevin E. Glosser wrote:
> On Fri, 2003-08-01 at 08:54, Cyber Source wrote:
> > I would love to see a meeting (or 2) about kernel's the recompiling of
> > them.
>
> It sounds more intimidating than it is. The kernel howto is all you need
> to attempt it. The most recent iteration of it is not as nicely worded
> as previous versions I think, however.
>
> http://www.linux.org/docs/ldp/howto/Kernel-HOWTO/index.html
>
> Here is the way I would describe the procedure...
>
> 1) You get the kernel source, you unpack it. You change to the directory
> where the source tree starts, usually something like /usr/src/linux.
>
> 2) Here, you want to consider if you are going to KEEP any config files
> that may have already been on your system. This is the file that has a
> list of the kernel options that were chosen on the last kernel compile.
> This file may or may not exist. If it does, it should be in this
> directory and it's called ".config". If you want to keep this, good idea
> to make a copy of it and place it somewhere else. This is totally an
> optional step. You can go to step 3, then AFTERWARDS copy the config
> file back to this directory.
>
> If you do this, the choices that were previously chosen will already be
> selected for you when you config your kernel. Then you can modify as you
> see fit.
>
> This is opposed to starting with no config and having to choose EVERY
> option for your computer. As I said, this is optional, not required
> step, but it may save you some time.
>
> 3) While in "/usr/src/linux" (or equivalent) issue "make clean" "make
> mrproper". These two commands clean up any files left from a previous
> kernel compile. It is usually best to start with a fresh source tree. It
> also will remove any config file that is in /usr/src/linux. So make sure
> you have a copy before you issue them, if you want to keep it.
>
> 4) If you kept your ".config" file, make sure you copied it back before
> doing...
>
> This step, which is the selecting of kernel options. You have three ways
> you can do it. You can do it in X Windows, or not. I prefer to do it
> while I am in X. To do so, issue "make xconfig".
>
> For those not wanting to use X, issue "make menuconfig". There is also
> an older way, which I do not recommend. I think it was "make config".
>
> Alright, this is the big step. This is the one, where you select what
> GOES IN to your kernel and what DOES NOT.
>
> You will have three options for everything that comes with this version
> of the kernel. You can select to put it IN, OUT, or compile it as a
> MODULE. Modules are parts of the kernel that can be dynamically loaded
> when needed. This can happen automatically or you can initiate it.
>
> If it's something you KNOW you are going to use, select to compile it
> IN. If it's something you think you might use on occasion, choose to
> compile it as a module. Just make sure you also choose module support.
>
> Some of the choices do not effect inclusion of a certain feature/driver.
> Some just prevent or allow further options from being displayed.
>
> Every item, well, most items have a help topic that is supposed to
> describe what it is. Unfortunately, some of these are kinda technical
> and not obvious as to what they do. Some options have no help files. So,
> when possible read the help topic if you don't know what the choice is
> offering.
>
> After making your selections choose save and exit. Now the ".config"
> file has been updated with your choices.
>
> 5) Issue "make dep" to check for dependencies.
>
> 6) Assuming everything went alright, it's time to compile it. Issue
> "make bzImage".
>
> Depending on the speed of your computer, this could take a long time. Be
> prepared to wait several minutes, or perhaps longer if you have a very
> old CPU.
>
> 7) Time to make the modules. Issue "make modules" and "make
> modules_install".
>
> At this point, you have a compiled kernel, complete with modules. The
> only problem is, it is NOT installed. Your old kernel is still running
> the show, or it will if you rebooted. You need to configure your system
> to run the new one...
>
> 8) Here you have to configure GRUB or LILO to point to the new kernel.
>
> Basically, there are a couple files you want to copy to where your other
> kernel is currently located. Your current kernel is probably located in
> the directory "/boot". What you need to do is copy the new kernel there.
> You could rename the current kernel. It is probably called something
> like "vmlinuz" or "vmlinuz-2.4.20-19.9". Or there might be a symbolic
> link pointing to it. Whatever the case, rename the old one. Copy the new
> one from "/usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/". In that directory it is
> currently called "bzImage". I would rename it to something appropriate
> when you copy it to "/boot".
>
> You also want to copy your "System.map" file which should be located in
> "/usr/src/linux" to "/boot". Again, rename the old one first, then bring
> in the new one.
>
> If you are using an initial ram disk, create a new one of those. The man
> page on "mkinitrd" is pretty straight forward. Most people likely do not
> need this however. When I installed Redhat 9, the installer made one. I
> decided not to keep it when I recompiled the kernel. Make sure you
> update GRUB or Lilo correctly, if you get rid of it.
>
> GRUB, if you haven't made any changes to file names, will likely work
> without any reconfiguration. Lilo will want you to run it as a command
> once you have the new kernel in place(issue "lilo").
>
> 9) Now it's time to take the plunge. Reboot and see what is working and
> what is not. It's a good idea to keep the old kernel around, in case you
> made some mistakes. You might have to put the old one back in, and
> reconfigure. Also, a good idea to have the distribution CD that you used
> to install your distro. There is likely a disaster recovery option that
> will let you manipulate files in the "/boot" directory if you REALLY
> screw up.
>
> If you have never done it before, plan on NOT getting it right the first
> time. There will likely be some device, that maybe you left it's driver
> out of the kernel and it's not working. If so, start at step 4.
>
> Kernel recompiling is time consuming. Don't try it, unless you have some
> time on your hands.
>
> ************************************************************************
>
> It is possible, that you may have some current module installed that
> will not work after you recompile your new kernel. Especially, if it's a
> newer version of the kernel...
>
> Example, would be the Nvidia driver for 3D accelerated graphics cards.
> If you downloaded it from nvidia's site and installed it, you will have
> to reinstall it after a new kernel is in place. This can only be done
> outside of X Windows. It's nice to have your machine boot into runlevel
> 3 (non X) so you can do this. If your machine boots into runlevel 5 (X)
> automatically, X will fail after the new kernel has been added. Might
> want to read the man page on "telinit".
>
> To reinstall the driver just rerun the script like you did to install
> it. Those not using Nvidia graphics cards or did not install the driver
> from the site, need not worry.
>
> KEG
>
> I'm not responsible for any kernel related explosions that occur to your
> house. :) The above was just meant to help anyone who uses the kernel
> Howto.

-- 
Ron
ronb at cogeco.ca