Kernel Config Suggestion

[gsfgf]

Make the default kernel values closer to what would be used in everyday operation. I had to go through and change all these settings and it took several tries before i got it right. And it still doesn't work yet.

[proxy]

the trick is the save a copy of the .config file in your home dir, and load it every time you want to build a new kernel. Then you just go through and have to make very minimal changes

[SirronD]

I am new to gentoo, and I switched after several hears as a Mandrake "only" linux user.

The hardest part (for me) of the gentoo installation was the kernel configuration. There are too many options for the novice user.

Most of my problems with gentoo are traced to improper kernel configuration, and I have compiled and recompiled my kernel (12 times in a 1 week period). And as soon as I finish this post I will be reconfiguring and compiling yet again.

Why not have a series configs of for different situations? I would suggest 2 configs per different source (gentoo, xfs, vanilla, ...) One config for laptops and one for desktops.

In my case I have a laptop with XFS filesystems. And I still have yet to get a compile that actually "turns off" my system after shutdown. I'm sure it is a config issue.

I believe starting with a default config for laptops with the XFS sources would have solved many of the issues I have had.

[klieber]

[ProGuy]

The first couple of times I compiled my own kernels, I didn't know a thing about any of the options, not even menuconfig. So I went through config, over and over again, just to get it right (and I never really did).
Quite annoying, however, today I can reconfigure a kernel within quite a short time. Remember, most items have been documented throigh the "help" feature, so it's just reading the stuff, and you'll either understand it, or go with the suggested selection.

Kernel configuration gives a good insight into Linux, which in turn is a good thing, when asking for help.
The fewest people hanging around on mailinglists, forums and IRC like helping people that are completely clueless, and refuse to read those manuals or try things out for themselves.
Keep in mind, that the best way of learning, is to try it yourself.
If we need something, we would need a documentation on safe kernel compilation, ie. how to make backup of your running kernel, so that you can get back to reconfiguring af new one.

There is nothing wrong in being a newbie (heck, we all are), but there is something wrong in not trying. Gentoo just forces you to try, where Mandrake and friends, gives you the option to be lazy, and we all know, that noone ever learns anything from laziness.

So, grab your sourcecode, configure once again, and compile away
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//ProGuy

[id10t]

Do what I did - grab a config file from the bare.i Slackware kernel, and just run make oldconfig. You end up with a TON of extra stuff you don't need, but once you have X working it is no problem to make xconfig and turn off the extra stuff.
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