Can I recompile everything with different USE settings?

WildBill · n00b Joined: 03 May 2002 Posts: 20

I installed Gentoo parallel to an existing Mandrake 8.1 install on my Sony Picturebook (the one with the Crusoe processor). It runs, but compared to the Mandrake install, it's SLOW. I'm wondering if recompiling everything with different USE settings would possibly make a difference. If so, how would that be done? Would I have to re-bootstrap and then re-emerge X and other apps?

AnimalMachine · Posted: Wed May 08, 2002 2:15 pm Post subject:

It's probably not so much the USE variable, as what you used for the CFLAGS, etc ...

From what I've figured out, the USE variable mainly controls dependencies when compiling packages - like what support is supposed to be compiled in ... if you USE="-python" then emerge vim, python scripting support shouldn't be used, and python shouldn't be listed as a dependency. Granted, there are a few USE flags that seem performance related (mmx, 3dnow), but that's it.

Feel free to correct me ... It's early in the morning. :wink:

chadh · Posted: Wed May 08, 2002 2:53 pm Post subject:

You might benefit more from different CFLAGS. I would try to figure out what flags Mandrake is using.

You might also make sure that the power management is working properly. You may just be stuck in "low gear"
_________________
Chad

WildBill · n00b Joined: 03 May 2002 Posts: 20

Thanks, I'll check the CFLAGS... it's possible that the Crusoe runs faster emulating a i586 than an i686.

Power management is completely disabled, that I know for sure. The only thing that works under Linux is LongRun, and I set that to run full blast (667mhz) until I get the system up and running.

If it is a CFLAG issue, how do I go about recompiling the system?

AnimalMachine · Posted: Wed May 08, 2002 8:32 pm Post subject:

I think you just have to run the scripts/bootstrap.sh and emerge system commands again. Disclaimer: I could be wrong. :wink:

Malakin · Posted: Thu May 09, 2002 6:25 am Post subject:

you're using the same xfree driver in both distros?

Considering it's a crusoe I doubt cflags/cxxflags would make much difference.

WildBill · n00b Joined: 03 May 2002 Posts: 20

Yeah, I am using the ATI driver in both xfree distros. I tried bootstrapping with a crusoe-specific optimization I found on the web http://www.flipturn.org/lifebook/, but that didn't seem to work as the bootstrap died on compilation.

I'm trying with -mcpu=i686 rather than -march=i686, perhaps that will help.... I find it odd that Mandrake would be speedier than Gentoo....

AnimalMachine · Posted: Thu May 09, 2002 8:42 pm Post subject:

I would think that either -mcpu=i686 or -march=i686 would work. I'd be more suspicious of the -f* and -m* flags mentioned on that webpage. But I really don't have any knowledge as to whether or not they could cause problems. I personally only use -O3 -march=i686 -pipe.

Edit: Did you look into what specific architecture the crusoe emulates?