First time kernel config - any advice?

braz2kuk · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 89

Hi all,

I have a fully functional working i3 system with Nvidia using OpenRC so far so good I’m
Happy.

The only thing I haven’t done manually is configure my kernel I used genkernel, I’m now thinking I’d like to build my own after what I feel is a slow boot time and lots of modules being loaded.

However looking though a config there seems to be hundreds of options, and I’m not sure what I need and don’t need, I’ve run lspci and had a look but can’t fathom what I should be focusing on or pulling out, I don’t have any unusual hardware more recent hardware.

Is there anything I can read / look at to help better understand or any pointers? I essentially don’t want to break my system after I’ve spent so long getting it right, I’m really liking it so far it’s been a challenge but I’m happy.

Thanks

Jaglover · Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:51 pm Post subject:

Kernel is the OS. You can't expect custom configuration to be simple, there is no magic wand you can wave which will read your mind and set up your kernel. You either learn it (lots of learning) or you leave it. Handling hardware is only one part of kernel tasks, there is much more functionality you may want and even more functions and features you may not want. If you feel ready start with 'make allnoconfig', then start enabling features you need. This is not one hour task. May take days, every brain needs rest. In case you pull through the results are rewarding, knowledge wise. If you give up then boot your genkernel and admit the grapes are sour.
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Blind_Sniper · Guru Joined: 20 Apr 2018 Posts: 370

Start with

Verdazil · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:29 am Post subject:

I suggest a different approach (I always use it myself), unlike previous users. Follow the step-by-step instructions from this guide and you will get a kernel with basic settings that will allow you to boot: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Kernel/Gentoo_Kernel_Configuration_Guide
Then you can add hardware&&software-specific options into your kernel.
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Makersmarx · n00b Joined: 16 Feb 2019 Posts: 57 Location: Costa Rica

I am also a new user and what I have been doing to ensure I have a working system is running genkernel --menuconfig all this allows me to remove the obvious stuff ex. Intel graphic support etc, without screwing up so bad I cant boot immediately. I have only been using gentoo for about 2 months, but figure running this a bit more and keeping notes I will progress and do this from scratch.
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braz2kuk · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 89

Guys,

Thanks for all the help, I’ve now configured and booted my own kernel and all is good.

One thing though on first boot I got a kernel panic, due to not having built an initramfs, I then had to emerge genkernel and use this to generate one.

Is it possible to build your own initramfs?

Thanks in advance

Verdazil · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:50 pm Post subject:

kite14 · Apprentice Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Italy

Blind_Sniper · Guru Joined: 20 Apr 2018 Posts: 370

kite14 · Apprentice Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Italy

My 2 cents about building your own kernel.
Start with Pappy's kernel seed: these are preconfigured, generic .config files which must be completed with the configuration of your own hardware list. This resource → http://kernel-seeds.bloodnoc.org/working.html explains what is all about (it's a bit outdated, but still relevant and extremely interesting). You can download an updated kernel seed from this thread → https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-1051430-postdays-0-postorder-asc-start-100.html

braz2kuk · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 89

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:32 pm Post subject:

braz2kuk,

The kernel never mounts the boot partition during the boot process. If it could do that, you wouldn't need a boot loader.
The boot loader makes its own arrangements to load the kernel and optionally, the initrd, then jumps to the kernel start address.
Its just the kernel and initrd in RAM now.

The kernel decompresses itself, initalises the built in code and if there is an initrd, mounts that as root.
With no initrd, it mounts the real root filesystem directly.

Your error message