João Matos wrote: > Hi list. > > I've been using Gentoo for quite a long time, and today I decided to > try compiling the kernel myself, Thing I've never done before. I want > a smaller kernel, a faster boot (without initramfs) and, of course, > some fun :). > > I'm still reading the oficial documentation, but I don't think it will > be enough, so, if anyone of you know some documentation more detailed, > I'd appreciate reading it. > > I've just ran 'make xconfig', and I noticed that the configuration is > the same from genkernel (genkernel --menuconfig). Is it good? Should I > get an original .conf, with less garbage, or this is just the 'normal > default' instead of 'genkernel default' as I'm guessing? > > Is there any tool that can scan my pc and help me out with the .conf > or even generate one? I guess not. There are lots of options that I > have no idea what they are for. I think this will be the fun part, but > I think I can't get a running kernel before I optimize it, so I can do > it gradually. > > Just for curiosity, what is the size of your kernel? Mine is 3.4 MB. > > Thank you, > -- > João de Matos > Linux User #461527 >
I would add lspci -k since it lists not only modules but built in drivers as well. Generally, if you have all those included, then you are doing fine hardware wise. In menuconfig, just hit the / key and search for the driver. Also, on the results of the search, it shows the path to the page the driver is on too. Some of them hide pretty good at times. Also, don't forget that some things have to be built in and not as modules. Things like file system that root is on, drive controller so that the drives can be seen and maybe even mouse/keyboard stuff. Some say not to but I just build everything into my kernel. The only modules I have is nvidia for my video drivers. Everything else is built in. Should work either way as long as the must haves are built in. One more thing, keep a couple known good kernels laying around just in case you really mess up. At least you can boot a old one to fix the new one. ;-) Don't ask how I learned this sort of thing. :/ Dale :-) :-) -- I am only responsible for what I said ... Not for what you understood or how you interpreted my words!
