[Sussex] Newbie Kernel problems ...

Steve Dobson SDobson at manh.com
Wed Jul 16 10:20:01 UTC 2003


Dom

On 16 July 2003 at 09:55 Dominic Clay wrote:
> Yes I have the 2.2.20 kernel which was _a_binary_ found on
> the install disk.  I also have a working 2.4.18 kernel that
> was downloaded _as_a_binary_.
> 
> I'm sure it must be possible to compile it myself but where
> do I find that setting?

If everything is configured correctly as well as the binary 
kernel image there shoud be a config-<version> file which is
the .config file used to build the kernel.  

> I was quite keen on this 2.4.21 source when I saw in the 
> menuconfig menu reference to my Radeon graphics card.
> Would a driver in the kernel help my other problems finding
> a driver for this Radion mobility card under X?

Watch out here there are two driver.
 * The kernel driver, and
 * The XFree86 driver
Both work together to driver the card.
Take a look at drivers/video/radeonfb.c as in there (just down
from the top) is a list of supported chips.  The last one listed
in the 2.4.18 kernel source I have is Mobility M6.

In the 2.6-test1 tree (yes I playing with 2.6 already) support
has been added for rv250, r300 & m9 (if that helps - it more or
less meaning less unless you know the ATI chip sets, but you might
see something that looks the same as some text on your board or 
from lspci).  You might want to give 2.6 a go to get it working,
if you do then I'll send you a minimal 2.6 config to start with.
Something changed in the way the different CPUs are supported and
it took me a while to get a kernel that would boot let along work.

> Even if this is not the case.. (and I suspect it's not).  
> This whole IDE thing is damned anoying and apparently completely
> undocumented anywhere... :{

IDE is well documented, just not in the Linux kernel - but there
is loads of reference material on the web.

> I also need to have a functioning .config file to compile 
> lots of things against so I feel totally stuck.

See above.  Or shout and I'll e-mail you a 2.4.18 that works for
my Sony.  When installing a new .config file first run 
"make oldconfig" before the "make dep".  [On 2.5/2.6 the "make dep"
is no longer needed; "make"

> On another note: 
> Steve D:  Do you still want to have a go with my old USB broadband
> modem?  I have found it, dug it out and it is available whenever you
> wish :)

Yes please.  I can't pick it up until the meeting so please lead it
to me then.

Steve




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