[gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Jed R. Mallen]

Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel quickly? I'm using 2.6.21-gentoo-r4 right now, and have foregone upgrading to 2.6.22-gentoo-r5 and -r8 because I read somewhere that I can't just use my old .config file for a new kernel version if it's *not* a revision-upgrade and I can only upgrade safely between 2 revisions. 

I don't want to go through all those kernel settings one by one. Do you just remember a few key things that you need (framebuffer, video, usb, etc) and just use the default settings?

Thanks.

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Jerry McBride]

On Monday 01 October 2007 10:19:57 pm Jed R. Mallen wrote:
> Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel quickly? I'm using
> 2.6.21-gentoo-r4 right now, and have foregone upgrading to 2.6.22-gentoo-r5
> and -r8 because I read somewhere that I can't just use my old .config file
> for a new kernel version if it's *not* a revision-upgrade and I can only
> upgrade safely between 2 revisions.
>
> I don't want to go through all those kernel settings one by one. Do you
> just remember a few key things that you need (framebuffer, video, usb, etc)
> and just use the default settings?
>

You really don't know what you're missing. :')

Seriously, just print out your old config, key it into menconfig... tweak it a 
bit and compile it... Then test it by rebooting into the new kernel...

Painless, safe... easy.


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From the Desk of: Jerome D. McBride
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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[David Relson]

On Tue, 2 Oct 2007 10:19:57 +0800
Jed R. Mallen wrote:

> 
> Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel quickly? I'm
> using 2.6.21-gentoo-r4 right now, and have foregone upgrading to
> 2.6.22-gentoo-r5 and -r8 because I read somewhere that I can't just
> use my old .config file for a new kernel version if it's *not* a
> revision-upgrade and I can only upgrade safely between 2 revisions. 
> 
> I don't want to go through all those kernel settings one by one. Do
> you just remember a few key things that you need (framebuffer, video,
> usb, etc) and just use the default settings?
> 
> Thanks.

"make oldconfig" should help.  It'll take your old options and prompt
for yes/no responses for new ones.

I've heard that one of the big differences is that "IDE" drives are now
classified as "PATA" (parallel ATA) drives.  However, I don't know
if/how that affects .config

HTH,

David
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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Iain Buchanan]

On Tue, 2007-10-02 at 10:19 +0800, Jed R. Mallen wrote:
> Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel quickly? I'm
> using 2.6.21-gentoo-r4 right now, and have foregone upgrading to
> 2.6.22-gentoo-r5 and -r8 because I read somewhere that I can't just
> use my old .config file for a new kernel version if it's *not* a
> revision-upgrade and I can only upgrade safely between 2 revisions. 

I don't get what all the fuss is when people warn against using
old .config files.  I've been using my old config file since early 2.6
without a hassle ever.

(I am only one person, so you may get different results).  Just copy in
your old .config file, run `make oldconfig`, answer all the new
questions (even with the defaults if you want - although it may add a
bit of unneeded fluff), and make away!

The best way to be safe, is to always keep a working kernel installed
somewhere so you can boot it.  Then it doesn't matter if you leave out
modules (like the PATA as someone mentioned).

HTH,
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

A princess should not be afraid -- not with a brave knight to protect her.
		-- McCoy, "Shore Leave", stardate 3025.3

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Hex Star]

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It is quite simple, take this config file which is the default distro
config: http://esc69.midphase.com/~moiress/good_config (compiles most
everything as modules, if you don't want the compile to take forever you
might want to change the config to only include what is absolutely necessary
to boot your system)

Then:

1) Download: http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-2.6.22.9.tar.bz2

2) tar xvjf linux-2.6.22.9.tar.bz2

3) cd linux-2.6.22.9

4) copy the previously mentioned config file here, be sure it is named
.config!

5) make oldconfig

6) make

7) make install

8) sudo update-initramfs -k kernelversion -c -v

9) sudo update-grub

10) edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and add initrd line below kernel line for the
kernel you just compiled and installed

11) reboot and enjoy!

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Hex Star]

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Oops sorry forgot this was the gentoo list XD ...

Just use this config: http://esc69.midphase.com/~moiress/good_config (rename
to .config!) and do a make oldconfig and enjoy :)

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Jed R. Mallen]

On Mon, 1 Oct 2007 22:07:08 -0700
"Hex Star" <hexstar@gmail.com> wrote:

> It is quite simple, take this config file which is the default distro
> config: http://esc69.midphase.com/~moiress/good_config (compiles most

I don't really need the config files. As I've said I've been doing the make oldconfig way before and I'm just wondering with the change of kernel versions if this is still "safe" in any way. Thanks.


When smashing monuments, save the pedstals -- they always come in handy.
		-- Stanislaw J. Lem, "Unkempt Thoughts"
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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Neil Bothwick]

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On Tue, 2 Oct 2007 13:22:07 +0800, Jed R. Mallen wrote:

> I don't really need the config files. As I've said I've been doing the
> make oldconfig way before and I'm just wondering with the change of
> kernel versions if this is still "safe" in any way. Thanks.

Yes it is. I've recycled my config files since 2.6.verysmallnumber with
only one problem on one machine, the change of the SATA drivers. It
shouldn't be used to change major revisions, say 2.4 to 2.6, and may
cause problems with a large jump in minor revisions (but then such an
upgrade is going to involve more work when you do it manually too).

As long as you keep a copy of  your old kernel (make install does this
automatically) you won't suffer if you do break the kernel. In some ways,
the kernel is the easiest package to update, because it does not replace
the previous version.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

Committee (noun): A group of people spending hours taking minutes

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Jed R. Mallen]

Thank you to all who responded. `make oldconfig` works as usual without the worries. I was a bit apprehensive because of the gentoo kernel upgrade guide warning about using oldconfigs but turns out it's safe afterall. Thanks guys.
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[gentoo-user] Re: Upgrading the kernel

[Grant Edwards]

On 2007-10-03, Jed R. Mallen <jedmallen@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thank you to all who responded. `make oldconfig` works as
> usual without the worries. I was a bit apprehensive because of
> the gentoo kernel upgrade guide warning about using oldconfigs
> but turns out it's safe afterall.

That's why you don't read stuff like that until _after_ you've
munged your system. ;)

-- 
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow! My polyvinyl cowboy
                                  at               wallet was made in Hong
                               visi.com            Kong by Montgomery Clift!

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Bo Ørsted Andresen]

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On Wednesday 03 October 2007 17:44:52 Jed R. Mallen wrote:
> Thank you to all who responded. `make oldconfig` works as usual without the
> worries. I was a bit apprehensive because of the gentoo kernel upgrade
> guide warning about using oldconfigs but turns out it's safe afterall.

I was kind of surprised to see that the gentoo kernel upgrade guide does 
indeed warn about `make oldconfig` (which isn't the same as warning about 
reusing old configs). So after digging a bit it turns out dsd has an 
explanation in his devspace.. ;)

http://dev.gentoo.org/~dsd/make_oldconfig.htm

-- 
Bo Andresen

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Iain Buchanan]

On Wed, 2007-10-03 at 22:19 +0200, Bo Ørsted Andresen wrote:
> 
> I was kind of surprised to see that the gentoo kernel upgrade guide does 
> indeed warn about `make oldconfig` (which isn't the same as warning about 
> reusing old configs). So after digging a bit it turns out dsd has an 
> explanation in his devspace.. ;)
> 
> http://dev.gentoo.org/~dsd/make_oldconfig.htm

ohhh...  My first reaction was to say "since when has Gentoo been about
dumbing down the options just to suit the ...er unenlightened?"  Then I
thought "How crazy could you be not to _read_ what you're doing when
upgrading your kernel?"  Of all things to upgrade this one would be
vaguely important!  I closely read the output from make oldconfig, and
I've avoided all of these problems.  Oh well, I'll continue to tinker
and break things - that's how I enjoy learning, but I guess it makes
sense to keep the upgrade guide as it is...

-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

> Alan Cox wrote:
[..]

No I didnt.  Someone else wrote that.  Please keep attributions
straight.
	-- From linux-kernel

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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Jed R. Mallen]

On Wed, 3 Oct 2007 22:19:39 +0200
Bo Ørsted Andresen <bo.andresen@zlin.dk> wrote:

> reusing old configs). So after digging a bit it turns out dsd has an 
> explanation in his devspace.. ;)
> 
> http://dev.gentoo.org/~dsd/make_oldconfig.htm

Bo, good job digging this up. Thanks for the link :)
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Re: [gentoo-user] Upgrading the kernel

[Philip Webb]

071002 Jed R. Mallen wrote:
> Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel quickly?

Copy  .config  from the previous  /usr/src/linux/  to the new one,
run 'make xconfig' & tell it to load the  .config  you copied.
That will keep all your previous settings,
but allow you to react to new features of the new kernel.
'Save' when you're satisfied -- you mb quicker than me at that (smile) --
& compile & test the new kernel as usual (I spend  c 60 min  on configure).
I tried 'make oldconfig' & found it a problem
because there was no help readily available,
whereas 'xconfig' has a whole panel on the screen showing relevant help,
while also allowing easy re-use of your previous  .config  (as above).
Of course, always keep  >= 1  previous kernel available for emergencies.

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[gentoo-user] Re: Upgrading the kernel

[Grant Edwards]

On 2007-10-02, Jed R. Mallen <jedmallen@gmail.com> wrote:

> Do you guys have a trick that will update a new kernel
> quickly? I'm using 2.6.21-gentoo-r4 right now, and have
> foregone upgrading to 2.6.22-gentoo-r5 and -r8 because I read
> somewhere that I can't just use my old .config file for a new
> kernel version if it's *not* a revision-upgrade

Nonsense.  

Just copy your old .config file into the new source directory
and do a "make oldconfig".  It'll prompt you when it runs
across options that aren't set in the old .config file.

You probably want to disable generic IDE support and enable the
combined SATA/PATA stuff in the new one.  The ATA stuff has
been completely redone between 2.6.21 and 2.6.22.  

It's always fun to have major incompatible changes made between
minor versions in a stable kernel. :/

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Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow! My NOSE is NUMB!
                                  at               
                               visi.com            

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Re: [gentoo-user] Re: Upgrading the kernel

[Willie Wong]

On Tue, Oct 02, 2007 at 03:00:49PM +0000, Penguin Lover Grant Edwards squawked:
> You probably want to disable generic IDE support and enable the
> combined SATA/PATA stuff in the new one.  The ATA stuff has
> been completely redone between 2.6.21 and 2.6.22.  

I just installed 2.6.23-rc[some number here] a few days ago, and the
PATA stuff is labeled [experimental] while SATA is [prod]. I haven't
been really keeping up with the news, but how stable is the PATA
driver? (I am currently still on generic IDE) Is there a
performance/?? benefit from the new PATA driver?

W
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`Very deep,' said Arthur, `you should send that in to the 
"Reader's Digest". They've got a page for people like you.'"

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Sortir en Pantoufles: up 298 days, 17:33
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[gentoo-user] Re: Upgrading the kernel

[Grant Edwards]

On 2007-10-02, Willie Wong <wwong@Princeton.EDU> wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 02, 2007 at 03:00:49PM +0000, Penguin Lover Grant Edwards squawked:

>> You probably want to disable generic IDE support and enable the
>> combined SATA/PATA stuff in the new one.  The ATA stuff has
>> been completely redone between 2.6.21 and 2.6.22.  
>
> I just installed 2.6.23-rc[some number here] a few days ago,
> and the PATA stuff is labeled [experimental] while SATA is
> [prod]. I haven't been really keeping up with the news, but
> how stable is the PATA driver?

I've been using it for a week or so with no issues.

> (I am currently still on generic IDE) Is there a
> performance/?? benefit from the new PATA driver?

I couldn't get some of my machines to boot with the generic IDE
support enabled.  It apparently now conflicts with SATA
support.

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                                  at               in Omaha!
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