Marco Fioretti wrote:
> Jean-Louis,
> you asked:
>
> > what do you get with the command: cat /proc/ide/via
> > If this file does not exist at all, it almost certainly means
> > that the VIA driver is not (fully) activated in your kernel."
>
> As a matter of fact, that file does not exist!
Well, well ... so you're using the generic (U)DMA driver, but if
the chipset is not properly activated, it will fail (it _does_ fail).
> > Another thing to check (this does not need a recompile)
> > would be that (U)DMA, and/or BUS MASTER, is supported
> > and _activated_ in the BIOS (there may be an option there).
>
> I still have to check this. Should it not be supported, there
> would be no point in recompiling the kernel right?
I really wouldn't know, it also depends on the BIOS (or rather,
how the BIOS initializes the IDE interface and the HD). My suggestion
was rather along the lines: suspenders _and_ belt.
> GENERAL QUESTION on kernel compilation: is there any
> (Make|Log|whatever file) left after the installation where you
> can read all answers/options used to build the running kernel,
> so that you can be sure to leave everything else just as it
> is now?
Well AFAIK there is somewhere a copy of the .config file, but
you still have to know what to look for ...
Anyway, IMHO, recompiling one's own kernel soon after install
is not only good practice, it is usually _recommended_:
1. to get rid of all drivers that you don't need, and which bloat
somewhat your kernel (and delay initialization, sometimes
can even hang the machine ...)
2. to have (or better customize) drivers that you _do_ need,
the prime example of is sound ...
> Question/suggestion to Mandrake folks:
>
> I switched to Mandrake from RH ALSO because the feature page says
> optimized support for UDMA drives.
>
> How come the chipset is not recognized during installation, and/or
> user is not prompted to enter the proper flags (VT82C586 chipset,
> use DMA, etc...) that Jean-Louis mentioned?
I don't think (I could be wrong) that it is possible to select the
proper driver via installation flags: this would call either for
module-driven drivers (which _cannot_ be used for the root filesystem),
or pre-building _lots_ of kernel images and selecting the right one
at install time ??? (RedHat has done this in the past, but it was
not easy for the newbie, to select the right one ...)
> Cool distribution, though! Keep up the good work.
I completely agree ...
--
Jean-Louis Debert [EMAIL PROTECTED]
74 Annemasse France
old Linux fan
