Cannot compile Gentoo kernel without "preemptible"

[vm666]

When the "Preemtible kernel" is off, the linux-2.4.20-gentoo-r8 kernel does not link:
fs/fs.o(.text+0x15c5d): In function `dput':
: undefined reference to `atomic_dec_and_lock'

(this happened with previous versions too)

So... I just have to enable the option. *But* I have a hsflinmodem on my laptop, and this is incompatible with the "preemptible kernel".

The only workaround I found so far was to use the vanilla kernel sources

[AlterEgo]

If you've used the pre-empt patch in the past, and now want to create a kernel without it, the safest way to process is:
-save your current kernel-config (.config) somewhere
-cd /usr/src/linux
-make mrproper (cleans out the kernel sources)
-make a new kernel using the saved .config as a template

[klarnox]

If you're willing to pay for the full updated hsflinmodem driver it does support preemptible kernels. The price is, if I remember correctly, $15 and they say that includes updates for "at least a year".

I finally broke down and paid for the drivers and they've worked very well so far.