[Solved] Configuring Kernel 3.X.X without genkernel

[apinsard]

Hi,

Two weeks ago, I installed Gentoo on my computer.

Since I was new to Gentoo, I installed it fast just to test it.

Now that I've read the whole handbook. I'd like to reinstall it in a better way.

I mean, for instance, not using genkernel to configure automatically the kernel.

The handbook provides a documentation for kernel 2.6.X

But the latest stable version is 3.0.1 I believe.

I looked for a manual on Google but I haven't found anything relevant.

Do you know a good tutorial (and/or a full documentation) ?

Thank you in advance.

[Veldrin]

first of, reinstalling is rarely necessary, secondly so far you have only mentioned the kernel, which is one component, which gets upgrade/updated once a while.

second, kernel 3.0 is mainly a naming change, than a real version change. Linus was sick of counting that high, so 2.6.40 has been renamed 3.0, as consequence, 3.1 is equivalent to 2.6.41 (which never existed).
So any tutorial you find for 2.6, is also valid for 3.x kernels.

For a good introduction, and getting fast a working kernel, have a look at Pappy's Kernel Seeds: here or here
I an nutshell, you start stripping unwanted parts, and add (from modules to builtin) parts that are required for your system.

genkernel is just a tool, that builds your kernel and creates an initramfs. I used it even with a customized kernel, but mainly to create my initramfs.
OTOH, if you are using a rather simple setup (no lvm, no luks, no sepatated /usr) then there is no need to use an initramfs.

HTH
V.
_________________
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If my answer is too concise, ask for an explanation.

[apinsard]

Thank you, I think this is exactly what I was looking for.

About reinstalling my system, the exact reason, including the kernel configuration, is that I installed softwares before reading about the USE flags.

I think that I didn't choose the best profile according to my needs and I set USE flags such as "~amd64" without taking care of what that means.

I'm afraid of having done anything wrong that could break my system later or at least getting worse performance.

Since I have probably installed softwares with dependencies I don't need and so on, I think the better way to get a clean working system is to reinstall it.

All the more so my installation is still new.

[Veldrin]

even useflags can be changed on an installed system, even if you change a lot of them, it is still faster, than reinstalling.
just change the flags needed, and then run emerge -aDuN world

switching from unstable (~amd64) to stable (amd64) on the other hand might be a bit more tricky. it is possible to restabalize you system, but you have to take care of some packages (glibc among others), which should not (or cannot be downgraded). If wait a little, stable will catch up again, and you can just continue to use the current version up until then.

As this might be your first install, I can understand, if you want to reinstall.

HTH
V.
_________________
read the portage output!
If my answer is too concise, ask for an explanation.

[apinsard]

Thank you for your information.

I'm gonna be able to go further by my own.