genkernel versus kernel build

davimint · n00b Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 23

This is my first post as a Gentoo user so it's more than possible that I'll be asking something foolish but here it goes anyway. I've got Gentoo installed and yes I've got only about one year with other distro's in the experiance level. I read a little and I must say I'm impressed with the documentaion on my first two problems ( setting up cups and alsa ). But i'm stumped on the kerenel issue. It looks like Gentoo users have this wonderfull tool called genkernel to build hardware specific kernels but as I read it looks like the livecd install will not do the genkernel-all option and you must do that after your install or either build your own kernel. I've been building kernels since day one with Slackware so I don't have any problems with that so this is a two part question.

The reason for my question is that I need to install the nvidia driver unless theres a better option. I don't seem to have the source installed on my system after the install ( no /usr/src/linux )

I did not want to do anything stupid by building a kernel and installing it the same old way ( by the kernel docs ) and mess up whats been done so far.

I started the process in the kernel guide for Gentoo but when It went to emerge the gentoo source it got to a point and stoped. To explain better it was downloading from the mirror and then the mirror seemed not to have the source it was requesting.

Opps, I've alread did something stupid, I just tried to use the genkernel function again to make sure I had done everything correct the first time and NOW there is a problem. ( this is after I have installed cups and alsa )

jseymour · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:03 am Post subject:

Genkernel will make a general module that supports a lot of different hardware types, like the kernel on the live cd. The drawback is that the kernel is larger and bloated with unneeded modules. It is by far better, and once you do it once or twice easier, to manually configure the kernel for your hardware.

To use genkernel, you must emerge it. Instructions are in the installation guide for both.

Alternately see my Gentoo Linux: Configuring the kernel with Genkernel

or

Gentoo Linux: Manual Kernel Configuration Flash Tutorials.
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Gentoo Installation Flash Tutorials

DirtyHairy · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

I second jseymour: it should be better to just create your own kernel. The process does not really differ from other distros: emerge the kernel sources, configure, compile, install modules and then copy the image to /boot/ and configure your bootloader accordingly... If I am correct, you won't be needing the external ALSA sources; unless your hardware needs really bleeding-edge drivers, you should be fine with the in-kernel ALSA.

--edit--
I just noticed that your error is caused by alsa-lib; this is weird, the version you have installed is rather ancient - the current stable version is 1.0.14_rc1 . I would recommend to rip it (and any possible installation of alsa-driver) out, emerge and build a new kernel and then reemerge alsa-lib and set up ALSA again.

davimint · n00b Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 23

Thanks for the help,
Yes, it was old due to the fact I didn't understand that I needed to emerge --sync before I should do anything on a new install... Newbie mistake. I did try the genkernel out and it's not to bad but I'm going to build a custom kernel anyway.

davimint

arpunk · n00b Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 61 Location: Colombia