Notes on Compiling the Kernel

Note	26.10.98 - these notes were prepared to describe recompiling the kernel on cardinal (RH 5.0)

Go to the source directory cd /usr/src/linux
At this time, I have no idea what this does. I suspect it cleans up old temp files and directories.
```
make mrproper
```
This should invoke the curses (text menu) kernel options selector.
```
make menuconfig
```

This program is very sensitive, for example:

Your display is too small to run Menuconfig!
It must be at least 19 lines by 80 columns.

Also, too big with a "medium" font causes problems. There are other alternatives like "make config" for the unforgiving Q & A script and there is one for tcl/Xwindowo

make xconfig

Note	I had trouble with `menuconfig`. I went ahead and used xconfig which seems ok.

Load an Alternate Configuration File
```
/root/kernel.configinfo.cxe
```

By default, the menuconfig loads the wackiest options. If this is the first recompiling effort, you have to just explicitly specify everything.

Edit the options to modify.
Store config info to a file for future use.
Save and Exit which saves the configuration information where the compiler can get at it.
make dep; make clean; make zImage
Move the kernel image from
```
/usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/zImage
```

to somewhere eles - like /boot. Make sure /boot is mounted!

mv /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/zImage /boot

Rename the former kernel
```
mv vmlinuz-cxe vmlinuz-cxe.980806
```

and rename the new image in it’s place

mv zImage vmlinuz-cxe

Run lilo. Even if you boot a kernel of the same name like vmlinuz-cxe, it seems like you need to run lilo to make it stick.
```
sudo /sbin/lilo
```