Having been a Linux user for many years I’ve come to know a great deal about my preferred operating system. I truly believe the most enjoyable way to learn to use Linux is to tinker with every little thing until you figure out how it works. A good deal of my knowledge comes from endlessly playing with new programs and poking around in configuration files until I master whatever project that occupies my mind this week. I am driven by my determination to one day use Linux as my primary operating system, finally casting Windows off of my hard drives and banishing it to the nether-dimensions from whence it came. In the quest to gain total mastery over Linux I have kept clear of the one task that haunts my dreams and mocks my very existence…compiling the kernel.
For lots of Linux users the kernel is a dark and mysterious thing that should be worshipped as a god, lest it become angry and smite you. So when I was forced recently to recompile my kernel in an attempt to gain ACPI functionality on my new laptop, I was prepared to endure ritual and torment to appease the kernel god for a successful compile. Miraculously, after my fourth day of Googling in preparation for building my kernel, I stumbled across a wholly wonderful post on how to recompile the 2.6 kernel without the need for a blood sacrifice.
I have to tip my hat to the author as this is one of the easiest to read articles on how to compile a kernel ever brought my way by the wide and wonderful internet. After following the instructions, I made short work of my valiant task and was running my custom-compiled kernel in no time. One thing I must note however, is after building the kernel modules I simply needed to do a make install before the kernel would boot properly. I haven’t yet investigated whether this is a step exclusive to Mandriva 2006, or simply an oversight. If anyone out there would like to share their experience with this matter, please add a comment below.
