|C0NRAD| Install V400 | "Flying Colors" | #(Number) 1?

[cheater1034]

CONRAD Install V400 Recharged "Flying Colors"
By: cheater-conrad (aka cheater1034, Brandon)
Before doing anything, Join #conrad on irc.freenode.net, and go there every time you go on IRC because you can get live support there, and you can take part in the fun chats that take place daily.
~~~~~
What is it?
The Conrad Install has been around for almost 2 years evolving the way to install Gentoo Linux each release even more than previous ones. It offers a different way to install gentoo going outside of the box. The gentoo handbook in my opinion is a very good document, but it only explains the basics and a vanilla gentoo install. There is nothing wrong with this, but if you run a standardized install like that it's almost no better than running a binary distribution. This Install will give you a gentoo installation by time you finish, but it will be like comparing night and day if you compare it to an installation from the handbook. Gentoo won't offer technical support for this document though, but I will offer equally effective technical support if you stick with it. You are encouraged to try this, go outside of the box and experience a fun installation with a result that will blow your mind because of it's speed and amazing stability and reliability. Everything in this guide was tested 100%, all the CFLAGS, LDFLAGS, etc are well researched and were not chosen randomly
~~~~~
Why did it come about?
Very simple, the gentoo handbook explains one thing and doesn't give you much choice, which is what I believe open source is all about. I created this Install document (unofficial, not part of gentoo) to give the users (1) A fun install compared to the somewhat bland handbook install, with several options (2) Everything is explained clearly, but you get your hands dirty with this install (3) New FS Options gentoo doesn't support (reiser4, ext4) (4) Custom CFLAGS gentoo doesn't support but are proven more effective than gentoo's default (5) LDFLAGS/Hashstyle linking which is all upstream now but gentoo doesn't support it, it gives the system an extreme boost when doing work in the console and in a DE (6) Custom overlays gentoo doesn't support but give extra graphical options, enhanced glibc performance, etc. || These are just few of the reasons that separate this guide from the gentoo handbook. I believe the end result with this guide is better than any other gentoo document explains.
~~~~~
Changelog > V3
* AMD64 Support (BETA)
* New features in make.conf
* Effective use flag reccomendations compared to the default none in the current profiles.
* New glibc overlay (2.5-r1 with patches)
* Ext4 with extents(FAST!)
* Support for other filesystems, Reiser4, ReiserFS, XFS
* Xeffects overlay for prettier X/KDE/Gnome/XFCE and XGL
* 2.6.20-no2 for up to date drivers, interactivity/thoroughput
* Fixed conrad-fbsplash package and ebuild
* Fixed gensplash steps to install
* Added udept to keep the system clean of unused packages
* Parallel fetch for faster downloading during emerges
* More details on a few steps such as fstab, make.conf
* Use eselect instead of rc, opengl, etc.
* Enhanced net and timezone settings so the boot is clean without any yellow *'s
* Enhanced xorg install instructions
* Replaced nvidia install link to gentoo-wiki one.
* Removed conrad-updater
* Faster boot
~~~~~
DISCLAIMER - READ OR DIE!
The Gentoo Linux Foundation, Inc. Does not support this Install document in any way. This means you may NOT report any bugs to: ANY official gentoo IRC Channels (#gentoo, #gentoo-dev-help), Gentoo Mailing Lists, Gentoo Forums, Gentoo Bugzilla, or to anybody else. Only report bugs to ME! Gentoo does not support the methods and make.conf in thie installation document. This should not be posted anywhere else but in this thread. It's not supported by gentoo in any shape way or form.
~~~~~
GOOD LUCK! If you are a success which you probably will be then tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc. And maybe you can use it again sometime
~~~~~
Notes: You can safely assume that x in 'hdx' is a drive letter throughout this guide. Example: 'hdx = hda or hdb'

[-1-] - Choosing a LiveCD
There are TWO (2) choices, don't get confused. first is for X86 users, second is for X86_64 users.
the x86_64 CD Does NOT support ext4, It is suggested to use ext3. Follow all the same steps as regular, except don't mount it as ext4 'mount -t ext3' instead of 'mount -t ext4'

1.1 - x86: Small Gentoo x86 r9
NOTE: This LiveCD is for ALL x86 users.

Download Links:

ftp://hephaistos.ath.cx/gentoo/x86/x86_r9.tar.bz2

http://www.kernel-of-truth.net/x86_r9/x86_r9.tar.bz2

http://kerneloftruth.neucode.org/small- ... r9.tar.bz2

http://s28.quicksharing.com/v/3578357/x ... r.bz2.html

1.2 - x86_64: Small Gentoo x86_64 r6
Note: This is for x86_64 users only. Does not support ext4. 2.6.19 kernel not 2.6.20.

http://s6.quicksharing.com/v/2170842/am ... r.bz2.html

http://www.kernel-of-truth.net/amd64_r6 ... se.tar.bz2

http://kerneloftruth.neucode.org/small- ... se.tar.bz2

ftp://hephaistos.ath.cx/gentoo/amd64/sm ... r6.tar.bz2

1.3 - Burn the CD and Boot it up
Burn the CD image to a CD, put it in the CD drive, reboot your computer.

[-2-] - Preparing Your Network

2.1 - Check For Internet Connection
Quick test:

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# ping http://google.com

If failed:

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# net-setup eth0/1/2/3 
(This CD for x86 was funny and I had to do eth3, so make sure to check the appropriate eth device)

[-3-] - (Optional, Not for SATA users) Using HDPARM

3.1 - View Hard Disk Configuration
This is important so we know exacty what options to set, if you get confused please do skip this step.
We must know the configuration to know what options to set.

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# hdparm -i /dev/hdx

3.2 - Some of our options
These are some of our options I'm going to personally set, these will change on your configuration (hdparm -i)
I don't expect you to enable every single one, you don't have to, but you can if you would like, btw
DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE TO ENABLE EVERY ONE OF THESE SETTINGS! Most people will not/should not!
* After we set this up, make sure you add these options to /etc/conf.d/hdparm (Explained later in the guide)
* -a1024 = sets read_ahead buffer to 1024 bytes
* -a256 = default read_ahead_buffer
* -c1 = sets io support to 32bit (most commonly supported)
* -c3 = sets io support to 32bit with sync, if -c1 gives you problems, this is an alternitive, but will be slightly slower.
* -c0/2 = set io support to 16bit, if your hdd does not support 32bit
* -d1 = turn on dma
* -m16 = sets multile buffers count to 16 (my hd max. find it using hdparm -i)
* -A1 = enables read-lookahead
non-laptops:
* -M254 = change the acoustic management, 254 is the maximum for speed, 128 is the quiet, you can choose anything in between <-- will increase power usage
laptops?:
* -B1 = enable full power management, 255 turns it completely off, you can choose any number between 1-255

3.3 - Test Hard Disk Speed

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hdparm -tT /dev/hdx

3.4 - Enhance Hard Disk Performance - Optional

NOTE: THESE ARE ALL OPTIONAL OPTIONS! If you can not understand hdparm -i, do not mis set any options.
First option: enabling DMA
We'll do things one at a time, and we'll start by turning on DMA

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hdparm -d1 /dev/hdx

second option: Setting multi sectors
This varies, hdparm -i should read MaxMultiSect, which will specify what you can use. For me, it is 16

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hdparm -m16 /dev/hdx

Third option: Acoustic Management
I'm going to set it to the maximum, 254

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hdparm -M254 /dev/hdx

Fourth option: Power Management
I'm going to turn it down because I don't need to worry about conserving power in my particular case. I'll leave it default

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<no command>

Fifth option: read lookahead
Lets enable it for our purposes

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hdparm -A1 /dev/hda

Sixth option: readahead
You can adjust the amount of readahead buffer with -a
I want it a little bigger than my drive's default (256) so I'll set it up to 1024
don't set this yourself, unless you're sure you know what you're doing!

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hdparm -a1024 /dev/hdx

Seventh option: IO support
Most drives can support 32-bit, if yours doesn't use 16-bit, if yours gives you problem with -c1, try with sync, -c3 (slower), otherwise use 16-bit (default -c0, -c2)

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hdparm -c1 /dev/hdx

Recap: All options we have chosen

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# hdparm -d1 -c1 -m16 -M254 -A1 -a1024 /dev/hdx

[-4-] - Partitioning
This guide will go about using the following setup:
/dev/hdx1 - boot
/dev/hdx2 - swap
/dev/hdx3 - root
/dev/hdx4 - windows

4.1 Using Fdisk

Remember that once you have the partition layout, you need to set the type to 82 (Linux Swap) for the swap partition and 83 (Linux) for the root and boot partition. Once you have it setup correctly, hit *w* to write and exit.
Explanations
Swap (suggestions): The swap space should be double the amount of ram you have *** up to 768mb.
e.g. (256mb ram * 512mb swap, 512mb ram * 1gb swap, 768mb ram * 1.5 gb swap)
If you have 1gb of ram, optimal swap is 1gb.
If you have 2gb of ram, optimal swap is 512mb
If you have over 2gb of ram, no swap is reccomended.

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# fdisk /dev/hdx
Command (m for help): p

Disk /dev/hdx: xxx heads, xx sectors, xxxx cylinders
Units = cylinders of xxxxx * 512 bytes

Device Boot    Start       End    Blocks   Id  System
/dev/hdx1             1        14    158760  83  Linux # boot * about 100 MB
/dev/hdx2            15        49    264600   82  Linux swap # swap * about 512 MB
/dev/hdx3            50        70    2564563   83  Linux # root * remainder of space, unless you dual boot windows
/dev/hdx4            70        90    remainder 07  Windows # windows * remainder of space unless you don't have windows

4.2 - Creating Partitons
It is recommended that you use ext4 for '/', and Ext2 for '/boot'. If you use ext4 for /boot it won't work I repeat, Only use ext2 for /boot, no need for anything else

FOR AMD64 USERS YOU MUST USE EXT3/Reiser4/XFS ON '/' Because the livecd doesn't support ext4

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# mke2fs -j /dev/hdx3
# mkfs.ext2 /dev/hdx1
# mkswap /dev/hdx2
# swapon /dev/hdx2

4.3 - Mounting your hard drives

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# mount -t ext4dev /dev/hdx3 /mnt/gentoo -o extents,noatime
(amd64 users replace 'ext4dev' with 'ext3'
# mkdir -p /mnt/gentoo/proc /mnt/gentoo/boot /mnt/gentoo/dev
# mount /dev/hdx1 /mnt/gentoo/boot

4.4 - Extended e2fs options

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tune2fs -O has_journal -o journal_data /dev/hdxy
e2fsck -Df /dev/hdx3

[-5-] - Preparing Chroot

5.1 - Downloading and Extracting a stage3
x86

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# cd /mnt/gentoo 
# wget http://gentoo.osuosl.org/releases/x86/2006.1/stages/stage3-i686-2006.1.t
ar.bz2 
# tar -jxvpf stage3-i686-2006.1.tar.bz2

amd64

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# cd /mnt/gentoo
# wget http://gentoo.osuosl.org/releases/amd64/2006.1/stages/stage3-amd64-2006.1.tar.bz2
# tar -jxvpf stage3-amd64-2006.1.tar.bz2

5.2 - Downloading and Extracting a Portage Snapshot

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# wget http://distfiles.gentoo.org/snapshots/portage-latest.tar.bz2
# tar -jxvpf portage-latest.tar.bz2 -C /mnt/gentoo/usr/

5.3 - Copying resolv.conf

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# cp /etc/resolv.conf /mnt/gentoo/etc/

[-6-] - Preparing New Environment

6.1 - Getting the CONRAD overlays and configuration files.

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# wget http://conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/overlays/overlays-latest-newinstall.tar.bz2
# wget http://conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/configs/configs-latest-newinstall.tar.bz2
# cd /mnt/gentoo
# tar -jxvf overlays-latest-newinstall.tar.bz2
# tar -jxvf configs-latest-newinstall.tar.bz2
# rm *.tar.bz2

6.2 - Mounting /proc and /dev

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# mount -t proc none /mnt/gentoo/proc
# mount -o bind /dev /mnt/gentoo/dev

6.3 - Chrooting

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# chroot /mnt/gentoo /bin/bash
# env-update; source /etc/profile

6.4 - (Optional) Updating to 2007.0 dev profile
NOTE: Keep in mind, when the 2007.0 profile is released, officially, and you re-sync portage you will need to repeat this process except link to '/x86/2007.0' or '/amd64/2007.0' NOT '/x86/dev/2007.0' or '/amd64/dev/2007.0'. Don't get scared if portage breaks, just update the profile!
X86

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# rm -r /etc/make.profile
# ln -s /usr/portage/profiles/default-linux/x86/dev/2007.0 /etc/make.profile
# env-update; source /etc/profile

amd64

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# rm -r /etc/make.profile
# ln -s /usr/portage/profiles/default-linux/amd64/dev/2007.0 /etc/make.profile
# env-update; source /etc/profile

6.5 - Setting Timezone
Change according to your zone

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# rm -rf /etc/localtime
# cp /usr/share/zoneinfo/US/Eastern /etc/localtime

[-7-] - Preparing For Installation

7.1 - Getting the conrad make.conf

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# wget conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/make.conf-x86
or AMD64 users
# wget conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/make.conf-amd64

x86

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# Conrad make.conf v4.1
ARCH="i686"

COREFLAGS="-frename-registers -fweb -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer -funit-at-a-time -freorder-blocks -fno-ident -freorder-blocks-and-partition -fmerge-all-constants -combine"

# Only uncomment below item if CPU supports sse3
#CPUFLAGS="-msse3"

CFLAGS="-Os -march=${ARCH} ${CPUFLAGS} ${COREFLAGS}"
CXXFLAGS="${CFLAGS} -fvisibility-inlines-hidden"
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"
CHOST="i686-pc-linux-gnu"

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86"

CONRAD_OVERLAY="/usr/local/overlays/conrad"
PORTAGE_OVERLAY="/usr/local/portage"
PORTDIR_OVERLAY="${CONRAD_OVERLAY} ${PORTAGE_OVERLAY}"

PORTAGE_NICENESS="15"
FEATURES="parallel-fetch distlocks"

# USE="acpi alsa arts cairo cdr dbus dvd dvdr dvdread eds emboss encode esd evo fam firefox gif gnome gpm gstreamer gtk hal jpeg kde kerberos ldap mad mikmod mp3 mpeg ogg opengl oss pdf png qt3 qt4 quicktime sdl spell svg tiff truetype vorbis win32codecs unicode X xml xv"

# Multiple Cores/CPUS (uncomment as necessary)
# 1 CPU: one core
#MAKEOPTS="-j2"
# 1 CPU: two cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j3"
# 1 CPU: four cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j5"
# 2 CPUs: one core each
#MAKEOPTS="-j4"
# 2 CPUs: two cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j6"
# 2 CPUs: four cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j8"

# Input_Devices for Modular Xorg
# (nvidia-based example given)
# INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard mouse"
# VIDEO_CARDS="nv nvidia vesa"

amd64

Code: Select all

# Conrad make.conf v4.1
ARCH="i686"

COREFLAGS="-frename-registers -fweb -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer -funit-at-a-time -freorder-blocks -fno-ident -freorder-blocks-and-partition -fmerge-all-constants -combine"
# Only uncomment below item if CPU supports sse3
#CPUFLAGS="-msse3"

CFLAGS="-Os -march=${ARCH} ${CPUFLAGS} ${COREFLAGS}"
CXXFLAGS="${CFLAGS} -fvisibility-inlines-hidden"
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"
CHOST="x86_64-pc-linux-gnu"

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~amd64"

CONRAD_OVERLAY="/usr/local/overlays/conrad"
PORTAGE_OVERLAY="/usr/local/portage"
PORTDIR_OVERLAY="${CONRAD_OVERLAY} ${PORTAGE_OVERLAY}"

PORTAGE_NICENESS="12"
FEATURES="parallel-fetch distlocks"

# USE="alsa arts cairo cdr dbus dvd dvdr eds emboss encode esd fam firefox gif gnome gstreamer gtk gtk2 hal jpeg kde mad mikmod mp3 mpeg ogg opengl oss png qt3 qt4 quicktime sdl spell truetype vorbis win32codecs X xml xv"

# Multiple Cores/CPUS (uncomment as necessary)
# 1 CPU: one core
#MAKEOPTS="-j2"
# 1 CPU: two cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j3"
# 1 CPU: four cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j5"
# 2 CPUs: one core each
#MAKEOPTS="-j4"
# 2 CPUs: two cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j6"
# 2 CPUs: four cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j8"

# Input_Devices for Modular Xorg
# (nvidia-based example given)
# INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard mouse"
# VIDEO_CARDS="nv nvidia vesa"

7.3 - Customizing Make.conf
You will need to change 'ARCH="i686"', to your supported processor.
Options: pentium2, pentium3, pentium4, prescott, k8, athlon64, nocona, opteron, pentium-m, i686, athlon-xp, etc.
Optional changes
(1) Uncomment the CPUFLAGS line if your CPU supports SSE3, if it doesnt and you uncomment good luck starting over.
(2) Set MAKEOPTS by uncommenting appropriate option - if you dont understand leave them all commented.

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# nano /etc/make.conf

[-8-] - Manual Bootstrap (Building Base System)

8.1 - Setting Locales - OPTIONAL
This is optional. Set this according to your area. It saves build time.

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# nano -w /etc/locale.gen

Example file:

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# This file names the list of locales to be built when glibc is installed.
# The format is <locale>/<charmap>, where <locale> is a locale from the
# /usr/share/i18n/locales directory, and <charmap> is name of one of the files
# in /usr/share/i18n/charmaps/. All blank lines and lines starting with # are
# ignored. Here is an example:
# en_US/ISO-8859-1

en_US/ISO-8859-1
en_US.UTF-8/UTF-8

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# locale-gen

8.2 - Upgrading Portage

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# emerge portage
# etc-update
...Merge all Packages...
Type: '-5' and push enter

8.3 - Setting for use of hashstyle

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# emerge binutils glibc
# etc-update
...Merge all Packages...
Type: '-5' and push enter
# emerge eselect
# eselect binutils set 2
# env-update; source /etc/profile
# emerge -P binutils

8.4 - Editing make.conf for hashstyle__

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# nano /etc/make.conf
Change 'LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"' to
'LDFLAGS="-Wl,--hash-style=gnu"

8.5 - Building Toolkit

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# emerge portage
# emerge glibc binutils gcc libstdc++-v3 libtool

8.6 - Configuring New Toolkit

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# gcc-config -l
(Lists installed compilers, you should see [1] 4.1.1 and [2] 4.1.2, we want 4.1.2.)
# gcc-config 2
# env-update; source /etc/profile
# emerge -P gcc

8.7 - Rebuilding Toolkit
Rebuild your toolkit again. It is the proper method that with a new toolkit, that it be built on itself.

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# emerge portage
# emerge binutils glibc gcc libstdc++-v3 libtool

8.8 - Uncommenting the desktop use flags!
In the make.conf, I have all the gentoo-reccomended desktop use flags, ideal for most people. Now we are going to uncomment them before rebuilding the world. Feel free to customize them.

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# nano /etc/make.conf
Change '# USE=".....xv"'
to 'USE="......xv"'

8.9 - Rebuilding the World

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# emerge -e world
# etc-update
(Merge all files....) -5
# emerge udept
# dep -s
(Say 'Y' When you get to files it wants to unmerge)

[-9-] - Setting up No-Sources (best performance/interactivity)

9.1 - Emerging Viper-Sources

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(get the ebuild and install, check this thread: http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-555707.html)
# emerge viper-sources
# cd /usr/src/linux
# cd /

9.2 - Configuring and Compiling Kernel
-----
All I can do is tell you how to get started, and what is required.

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# cd /usr/src/linux
# make menuconfig

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Required Options...
Code maturity level options --->
  [*] Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers

General setup  --->
  [*] Support for hot-pluggable devices

Loadable Module Support --->
  [*] Module unloading support

Processor type and features --->
  [*] Standard x86 support (Used for amd64/em64t cpus)
  (Change accordingly)
  (Your Processor Family) Processor family
  [*] Symmetric multi-processing support
  # If you have exactly 1GB of memory use the following else just leave it at default.
         Memory Split (3G/1G user/kernel split (for full 1GB Low memory)) ---->

File systems --->
  Pseudo Filesystems --->
    [*] /proc file system support
    [*] Virtual memory file system support (former shm fs)
  <*> Second Extended FS Support
  <*> Ext2 extended attributes
  <*> Ext3 journalling file system support
     [*] Ext3 Extended Attributes
  <*> Ext4dev/ext4 extended FS support (experimental)
     [*] Ext4dev Extended Attributes
Device Drivers --->
  ATA/ATAPI/MFM/RLL support --->
    [*] Generic PCI bus-master DMA support
    [*]   Use PCI DMA by default when available
    [ ] SCSI Emulation Support

Device Drivers --->
  Networking support --->
    <*> PPP (point-to-point protocol) support
    <*>   PPP support for async serial ports
    <*>   PPP support for sync tty ports
  100 MBIT/1000 MBIT --->
   (make sure you compile in your proper network driver
   Sound --->
    [M] Sound card support
        Alsa --->
            PCI Cards --->
                 [M] Your Driver, mine is intel8x0, a common one is emu10k1 for soundblaster cards

USB Support --->
  <*>   USB Human Interface Device (full HID) support

Device Drivers > Graphics support:
 [*] Support for frame buffer devices
 <*>   VESA VGA graphics support
         VESA driver type (vesafb-tng)  --->
 (HRESxVRES@FREQ) VESA default mode    # Pick your resolution - eg. 1024x768@84

Device Drivers > Graphics support > Console display driver support:
 [*] Video mode selection support
 <*> Framebuffer Console support

Device Drivers > Graphics support:
 [*] Support for the framebuffer splash

Device Drivers > Block devices:
 <*> RAM disk support
 (4096) Default RAM disk size (kbytes) (NEW)
 [*]   Initial RAM disk (initrd) support

9.3 - Choosing an IO Scheduler
We're going to configure another important aspect in our kernel. Here is a run down of each IO Scheduler.
CFQ: Best all-around for desktop performance, including reiser4. If you want to use the others go for it, but CG now reccomends CFQ

Code: Select all

KERNEL CONFIGURATION
Block Devices > IO Schedulers
 [*] Anticipatory
 [*] Deadline
 [*] CFQ
 (Default = CFQ) 

NOTE: To test different IO Schedulers, you can use 'elevator=' boot parameter in Grub (Example: elevator=deadline) I Reccomend CFQ for ALL ext* file systems.

9.4 - Emerging Grub

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(make sure the /boot partition is mounted)
# emerge grub

[/b]

9.5 - Compiling the Kernel

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# make ; make modules_install ; make install

[-10-] - Emerging Additional System Files

10.1 - Emerging Services and Tools

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# emerge syslog-ng reiserfsprogs e2fsprogs sysfsutils dhcpcd gentoolkit acpid slocate vixie-cron

10.2 - Adding the programs to the default runlevel

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# eselect rc add syslog-ng default
# eselect rc add net.eth0 default
# eselect rc add acpid default
# eselect rc add gpm default
# eselect rc add vixie-cron default
# eselect rc add numlock default

[-11-] - Setting up the CONRAD Gensplash

11.1 - Emerging Splashutils and the Conrad Boot Theme

Code: Select all

# emerge gentoo-sources
# cd /usr/src/linux
# rm linux
# ln -s linux-2.6.20-gentoo* linux
# cd linux
# make allyesconfig
# make modules_prepare
# emerge splashutils
# cd ..
# rm /usr/src/linux
# emerge -C gentoo-sources
# rm -r linux-2.6.20-gentoo*
# ln -s /usr/src/linux-2.6.20-no2 /usr/src/linux
# emerge conrad-fbsplash
# eselect rc add splash default

11.2 - Generating an Initramfs
Please select your default resolution here.

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# cd /etc/splash
# splash_geninitramfs -v -g /boot/fbsplash -r 1024x768 conrad

[-12-] - Configuring and Installing Grub

12.1 - Modifying '/boot/grub/grub.conf'
In grub, hdx1 is (hd0,0), and hdx2 is (hd0,1) and so forth.

Code: Select all

nano -w /boot/grub/grub.conf

timeout 30
default 0
# Splash is on boot partition
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz

title=Conrad V4 | 2.6.20-no2
root (hd0,0) # boot partition
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.18-no2 root=/dev/hda3 video=vesafb:1024x768-32@80,mtrr,ywrap splash=silent,fadein,theme:conrad quiet CONSOLE=/dev/tty1
initrd (hd0,0)/fbsplash

title=Windows
rootnoverify (hd0,3) # pretend it is on hda4
makeactive
chainloader +1

12.2 - Running grub for installation to MBR

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# grub
<grub:> root (hd0,0) # boot partition
# (hd0) is the MBR of the drive.
<grub:> setup (hd0)
<grub:> quit

12.3 - IMPORTANT: Linking e2fs for ext4

Code: Select all

# ln -s /sbin/e2fsck /sbin/fsck.ext4dev

[-13-] - Configuring Your System

13.1 - Editing Configuration Files
Replace 'hdx' with the correct drive letter.

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/conf.d/hdparm
# lets add all our options as seen previously above. refer back to it if you need to

13.2 - Set Your Hostname and Domainname

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/conf.d/hostname
HOSTNAME="conrad-v4"

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1 conrad-v4 localhost

If you don't understand these 2 files, leave them alone.

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/conf.d/domainname
# DNSDOMAIN=""
# NISDOMAIN=""

13.3 - Editing the /etc/conf.d/net

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/conf.d/net

Code: Select all

# DHCP Default Setting
config_eth0=( "dhcp" )

For additional info, refer to '/etc/conf.d/net.example'

13.4 - Configuring FSTAB
NOTE: Reiser4 users must use noatime in the options. If you aren't using reiser4 just ignore this note.

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/fstab
...Change lines 20-23...

Example

Code: Select all

/dev/hdx1              /boot           ext2            noauto,noatime  1 2
/dev/hdx3                /               ext4dev         noatime,extents 0 1
/dev/hdx2               none            swap            sw              0 0
/dev/hdx4               /mnt/doze          ntfs            ro,defaults 0 0

13.5 - Setting up Users
First set the root password

Code: Select all

# passwd
<enter new password>
<confirm new password>

Then set up a user

Code: Select all

# useradd -m -G users,wheel,audio,video conrad
# passwd conrad
<set conrad password>
<confirm conrad password>

13.6 - Configuring /etc/conf.d/clock
Now we need to edit /etc/conf.d/clock and set the timezone we used again, otherwise we'll get an annoying warning on boot, and since I explain a guide with a 100% clean boot w/ no yellow or red stars lets do it.

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/conf.d/clock
(Uncomment #TIMEZONE="")
(Change it to your TZ, example: TIMEZONE="US/Eastern")

[-14-] - Rebooting System

14.1 - Unmounting and Rebooting

Code: Select all

# exit
# umount /mnt/gentoo/boot /mnt/gentoo/proc /mnt/gentoo /mnt/gentoo/dev
# reboot

14.2 - Booting New System
Hopefully you'll have a grub menu, and be able boot into your new system.
If you get a kernel panic then check to make sure you configured everything correctly by booting back into the Conrad LiveCD and following, Steps 4.3, 5.3, 6.1

14.3 - Prelinking
We need to prelink our binaries to get full usage from hashstyles. We need to edit conf.d for prelink first, so don't skip that, and do it before running prelink.

Code: Select all

# emerge prelink
# env-update
# nano /etc/conf.d/prelink
...find:
PRELINKING="no"
...change to:
PRELINKING="yes"
# prelink -amR

[-15-] - USE flags and additional configuration

15.1 - Looking at the possible use variables

Code: Select all

# nano -w /usr/portage/profiles/use.desc

There are tons of default desktop use flags for 2007.0/2006.1, not enabled by default but all of them are enabled in your make.conf, check the defaults there.

15.2 - Setting additionalUSE Flags

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/make.conf
USE="add1 add2 add3.....xv"

For more In-Depth configuration information, consult the Gentoo Handbook

[-16-] - Installing Modular X and a graphical environment

16.1 - Emerging Xorg

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/make.conf
...Set INPUT_DEVICES and VIDEO_CARDS
# emerge -Dvat xorg-x11
# emerge -DuNav xev xdpyinfo xvinfo xset xdriinfo xprop
# emerge -DuNav font-adobe-100dpi font-adobe-75dpi font-adobe-utopia-100dpi font-adobe-utopia-75dpi font-bh-100dpi font-bh-75dpi font-bh-type1 font-bh-lucidatypewriter-100dpi font-bh-lucidatypewriter-75dpi font-bitstream-100dpi font-bitstream-75dpi ttf-bitstream-vera corefonts sharefonts freefonts font-ibm-type1

16.2 - Getting an xorg.conf setup
You should be able to do this on your own.

Code: Select all

# xorgconfig

or

Code: Select all

# X -configure

16.3 - Installing a DE/WM
You can choose to install any DE or WM, by typing "emerge gnome gnome-light kde openbox fluxbox blackbox etc"

16.4 - KDE - The CONRAD Reccomended Way*

Code: Select all

First of all, we are going to emerge the base of kde

# emerge kdelibs kdebase-startkde
We need to emerge a file manager, I recomend emerging konqueror too

Now we need to emerge some nice applications we use, here is a list of applications that I use with KDE
01. konqueror - KDE/QT Web Browser and File Browser
02. net-im/kopete - Latest Kopete instant messanger, I reccomend this one instead of the kde-base/kopete one, as this is newer
03. konversation - QT Irc Client
04. kmail - QT E-mail Client
05. ksnapshot - KDE Screenshot Taker
06. kpdf - pdf viewer
07. Amarok - audio player
08. Konsole - KDE Terminal Program
09. KTorrent - KDE Torrent
There are tons of more qt applications for certain items, you can check the kde-base directory in /usr/portage. Also check the meta ebuilds if you are looking for a certain app included in one of the bundles (e.g. kdegraphics-meta) 

16.5 - Graphics Drivers
If you have 3D acceleration on your card, you may want to, and should install the NVidia or ATI Drivers.
Gentoo-Wiki NVIDIA Guide: http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_nVidia_Drivers
(Note that you don't need to add anything to your package.keywords/unmask like the guide explains)
Gentoo-Wiki ATI Guide: http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_ATI_Drivers

16.6 - Configuring Login Manger (GDM/KDM)
If you did gnome-light or kde you need to emerge gdm/kdm

Code: Select all

# emerge gdm .or. emerge kdm
# nano /etc/rc.conf
DISPLAYMANAGER="gdm" .or. "kdm"
# rc-update add xdm default

[-17-] - Configuring ALSA

For more information you may want to visit the Gentoo Linux Alsa Guide.
Gentoo Alsa Guide: http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/alsa-guide.xml

17.1 - Emerging alsa packages
(Assuming you have the sound card and alsa items as modules in-kernel)

Code: Select all

# emerge alsa-lib alsa-headers alsa-utils

17.2 - Running alsaconf

Code: Select all

# alsaconf

17.3 - Editing Additional Files

Code: Select all

# nano -w /etc/modules.d/alsa
<Find near the botton snd-***, and sound-***>
change *** to your sound card name, for example...
(if it is already there, just ignore it)
snd-intel8x0 sound-intel8x0
snd-emu10k1 sound-emu10k1

17.4 - Running ALSAMIXER
You should run alsamixer to adjust the levels of your card, and make sure it is all unmuted, you can press 'M' to unmute/mute the card, by default, alsaconf should unmute all or most, depending on setup, of the things required.

Code: Select all

# alsamixer

17.5 - Adding Alsasound to Default Runlevel

Code: Select all

# eselect rc add alsasound default

[-18-] - Keeping an Up-To-Date System

18.1 - Updating the conrad configurations and overlays

Code: Select all

IN a browser, go to www.conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/* and look to at the files and make sure there is no newer dated files than the ones you installed, it is always a good idea to tag the date you have latest installed.
(Proceed if you need an update)
# su
(passwd)
# cd /
# wget conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/file-update-2007MMDD.tar.bz2
(Replace MMDD with the newest date)
# tar jxvf file-update-2007MMDD.tar.bz2

18.2 - Updating the world
First of all always keep the sync up-to-date, a emerge sync once a day at least is recommended

Code: Select all

# emerge --sync

To update all the packages, run

Code: Select all

# emerge -pvuD world

~~~~~
DONE!
- You should now have a fully functional conrad-based gentoo installation. Please be sure to keep active in #conrad on freenode and on this forum to keep up with bug fixes, updates, etc. Bug fixes hopefully aren't needed too much, but the updates will be frequent.

[IQgryn]

I have a few questions and comments.

If you have 2gb of ram, optimal swap is 512mb

Why?

Only use ext2 for /boot, nothign else

Ext3 is also acceptable since it can be read as an ext2 partition with no problems.

Code: Select all

# rm -rf /etc/localtime
# ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/US/Eastern /etc/localtime

Cp is now used instead of ln -s; it avoids problems when /usr is on a separate partition.

You will need to change 'ARCH="i686"', to your supported processor.
Options: pentium2, pentium3, pentium4, prescott, k8, opteron, pentium-m, i686, athlon-xp, etc.

Might be good to mention athlon64 and nocona, as well, if the LiveCD you're using supports them (gcc 4, I believe).

(2) Set MAKEOPTS by uncommenting appropriate option, again, if you set the wrong one good luck starting over.

This isn't actually dangerous to set wrong; just slower to compile.

13.4 - Configuring FSTAB
NOTE: Reiser4 users must use noatime in the options. If you aren't using reiser4 just ignore this note.

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/fstab
...Change lines 20-23...

Example

Code: Select all

/dev/sda4               /boot           ext2            noauto,noatime  1 2
/dev/md1                /               ext4dev         noatime,extents 0 1
/dev/sdb2               none            swap            sw              0 0
/dev/hda1               /mnt/cdrom      iso9660         noauto,ro       0 0

Up until now, you've been consistent with your partition layout. You might want to continue that here.

18.1 - Updating the conrad configurations and overlays

Code: Select all

IN a browser, go to www.conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/* and look to at the files and make sure there is no newer dated files than the ones you installed, it is always a good idea to tag the date you have latest installed.
(Proceed if you need an update)
# su
(passwd)
# cd /
# wget conrad-gentoo.org/cv4/file-update-2007MMDD.tar.bz2
(Replace MMDD with the newest date)
# tar jxvf file-update-2007MMDD.tar.bz2

Could this be done with layman?

[kernelOfTruth]

cheater, could you add http://s6.quicksharing.com/v/2170842/am ... r.bz2.html as a mirror for the x86_64 release, the mirrors will likely get pretty much hammered and the neucode-server has only a limited monthly bandwith (10GB)

that guide looks NICE , good work

# net-setup eth0/1/2/3
(This CD for x86 was funny and I had to do eth3, so make sure to check the appropriate eth device)

sorry, don't know why it behaves that "weird"

[vipernicus]

x86:
Code:
# Conrad make.conf v4.1
ARCH="i686"

COREFLAGS="-frename-registers -fweb -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer -funit-at-a-time -freorder-blocks -fno-ident -freorder-blocks-an$
# Only uncomment below item if CPU supports sse3
#CPUFLAGS="-msse3"

CFLAGS="-Os -march=${ARCH} ${CPUFLAGS} ${COREFLAGS}"
CXXFLAGS="${CFLAGS}"
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"
CHOST="i686-pc-linux-gnu -fvisibility-inlines-hidden"

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86"

CONRAD_OVERLAY="/usr/local/overlays/conrad"
PORTAGE_OVERLAY="/usr/local/portage"
PORTDIR_OVERLAY="${CONRAD_OVERLAY} ${PORTAGE_OVERLAY}"

PORTAGE_NICENESS="15"
FEATURES="parallel-fetch distlocks"

# USE="acpi alsa arts cairo cdr dbus dvd dvdr dvdread eds emboss encode esd evo fam firefox gif gnome gpm gstreamer gtk hal jpeg kde kerberos ldap mad mikmod mp3 mpeg ogg opengl oss pdf png qt3 qt4 quicktime sdl spell svg tiff truetype vorbis win32codecs unicode X xml xv"

# Multiple Cores/CPUS (uncomment as necessary)
# 1 CPU: one core
#MAKEOPTS="-j2"
# 1 CPU: two cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j3"
# 1 CPU: four cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j5"
# 2 CPUs: one core each
#MAKEOPTS="-j4"
# 2 CPUs: two cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j6"
# 2 CPUs: four cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j8"

# Input_Devices for Modular Xorg
# (nvidia-based example given)
# INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard mouse"
# VIDEO_CARDS="nv nvidia vesa"

CHOST="i686-pc-linux-gnu -fvisibility-inlines-hidden" <- Trying to hide your CHOST?

[creidiki]

also:

Code: Select all

<..> -freorder-blocks-an$

in x86

which i guess is for -freorder-blocks-and-partition

[mbar]

thanks for this livecd, I maintain my own for AMD64 and I can't find the time to do it for x86

[cheater1034]

I have a few questions and comments.

Thanks for questions and comments

If you have 2gb of ram, optimal swap is 512mb

Why?

I just reccomend it so you have some fallback in case the 2gb gets filled up at any point, it shouldn't but there's always a chance.

Ext3 is also acceptable since it can be read as an ext2 partition with no problems.

I know, but there's not really any reason to use ext3 for /boot

Cp is now used instead of ln -s; it avoids problems when /usr is on a separate partition.

Thanks, fixed,

Might be good to mention athlon64 and nocona, as well, if the LiveCD you're using supports them (gcc 4, I believe).

Yes, added.

This isn't actually dangerous to set wrong; just slower to compile.

Revised the comment.

Up until now, you've been consistent with your partition layout. You might want to continue that here.

Yes, revised.

Could this be done with layman?

Yes, I don't know how to use layman though because I never have, I probably will make it soon so that it's done with layman.
----

cheater, could you add http://s6.quicksharing.com/v/2170842/am ... r.bz2.html as a mirror for the x86_64 release, the mirrors will likely get pretty much hammered and the neucode-server has only a limited monthly bandwith (10GB)

that guide looks NICE , good work

Added the link I also plan to upload both CDs to my conrad-gentoo mirror by the end of the day today.
----

CHOST="i686-pc-linux-gnu -fvisibility-inlines-hidden" <- Trying to hide your CHOST?

My mistake, I was typed most of the guide in links text browser then edited it later in a fancy browser with a GUI. I forgot to copy paste the make.conf right Don't worry though, it's not like that on the mirrors!

also:

Code: Select all

<..> -freorder-blocks-an$

in x86

which i guess is for -freorder-blocks-and-partition

Yep ^^

[predatorfreak]

# Conrad make.conf v4.1
ARCH="i686"

COREFLAGS="-frename-registers -fweb -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer -funit-at-a-time -freorder-blocks -fno-ident -freorder-blocks-and-partition -fmerge-all-constants -combine"
# Only uncomment below item if CPU supports sse3
#CPUFLAGS="-msse3"

CFLAGS="-Os -march=${ARCH} ${CPUFLAGS} ${COREFLAGS}"
CXXFLAGS="${CFLAGS} -fvisibility-inlines-hidden"
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"
CHOST="x86_64-pc-linux-gnu"

ACCEPT_KEYWORDS="~x86"

CONRAD_OVERLAY="/usr/local/overlays/conrad"
PORTAGE_OVERLAY="/usr/local/portage"
PORTDIR_OVERLAY="${CONRAD_OVERLAY} ${PORTAGE_OVERLAY}"

PORTAGE_NICENESS="12"
FEATURES="parallel-fetch distlocks"

# USE="alsa arts cairo cdr dbus dvd dvdr eds emboss encode esd fam firefox gif gnome gstreamer gtk gtk2 hal jpeg kde mad mikmod mp3 mpeg ogg opengl oss png qt3 qt4 quicktime sdl spell truetype vorbis win32codecs X xml xv"

# Multiple Cores/CPUS (uncomment as necessary)
# 1 CPU: one core
#MAKEOPTS="-j2"
# 1 CPU: two cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j3"
# 1 CPU: four cores
#MAKEOPTS="-j5"
# 2 CPUs: one core each
#MAKEOPTS="-j4"
# 2 CPUs: two cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j6"
# 2 CPUs: four cores each
#MAKEOPTS="-j8"

# Input_Devices for Modular Xorg
# (nvidia-based example given)
# INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard mouse"
# VIDEO_CARDS="nv nvidia vesa"

Am I the only one noticing the fact your keywords are still ~x86? They should be ~amd64, NOT ~x86. Also, Opteron, Athlon64 and K8 (K8 is the underlying architecture of ALL those chips) imply the same thing as far as GCC is concerned.

Ext3 is also acceptable since it can be read as an ext2 partition with no problems.

I know, but there's not really any reason to use ext3 for /boot

Lies, ext3 offers a journal, which in the case of a power outage, might provide a higher chance of recovering data than ext2.

[cheater1034]

Am I the only one noticing the fact your keywords are still ~x86? They should be ~amd64, NOT ~x86. Also, Opteron, Athlon64 and K8 (K8 is the underlying architecture of ALL those chips) imply the same thing as far as GCC is concerned.

My bad, I fixed it.

Lies, ext3 offers a journal, which in the case of a power outage, might provide a higher chance of recovering data than ext2.

Okay

[predatorfreak]

Lies, ext3 offers a journal, which in the case of a power outage, might provide a higher chance of recovering data than ext2.

Okay ;)

I should clarify though, I do use ext2 as my boot partition, but it's my personal policy that /boot be mounted read-only unless absolutely required, this avoids damage for sudden crashes and hard-resets and such. In addition to this, I also have a UPS backup because I'm paranoid as shit. Also you're still repeating different-names-for-the-same-architecture in your editing make.conf part, this is really more of a cosmetic issue, but you should only need to list one per architecture.

[micr0c0sm]

Agreed with porting your overlay to layman.
I might modify your guide to work with paludis but I don't think I will release it.

Clear, concise guide. Kudos.

[Amfabeta]

Hi. I just finished installing new conrad and when I boot I get following error:

Code: Select all

Booting 'Gentoo Linux | Conrad V4 - 2.6.20-no2'
root (hd0,4) # boot partition
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-no2 root=/dev/sda7 video=vesafb:1152x864-24@75,mtrr,ywra
p splash=silent,fadein,theme:conrad quiet CONSOLE=/dev/tty1
    [Linux-bzImage, setup=0x1a00, size=0x272d30]
initrd (hd0,4)/fbsplash
    [Linux-initrd @ 0x1ffac000, 0x330c7 bytes]

Uncompressing Linux ... Ok, booting the kernel.
intel_rng: FWH not detected
Can't open config file /etc/splash/conrad/1024x768.cfg.
No Verbose picture specified in the theme.
No silent picture specified in the theme.
Root-NFS: No NFS server available, giving up.
VFS: Unable to mount root fs via NFS, trying floppy.
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
sda: assuming drive cache: write through

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(2,0)

Any Ideas what I did wrong this time? I tried to do everything like guide told me.

[seren]

Hi. I just finished installing new conrad and when I boot I get following error:

Code: Select all

Booting 'Gentoo Linux | Conrad V4 - 2.6.20-no2'
root (hd0,4) # boot partition
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-no2 root=/dev/sda7 video=vesafb:1152x864-24@75,mtrr,ywra
p splash=silent,fadein,theme:conrad quiet CONSOLE=/dev/tty1
    [Linux-bzImage, setup=0x1a00, size=0x272d30]
initrd (hd0,4)/fbsplash
    [Linux-initrd @ 0x1ffac000, 0x330c7 bytes]

Uncompressing Linux ... Ok, booting the kernel.
intel_rng: FWH not detected
Can't open config file /etc/splash/conrad/1024x768.cfg.
No Verbose picture specified in the theme.
No silent picture specified in the theme.
Root-NFS: No NFS server available, giving up.
VFS: Unable to mount root fs via NFS, trying floppy.
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
sda: assuming drive cache: write through

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(2,0)

Any Ideas what I did wrong this time? I tried to do everything like guide told me.

in make menuconfig under --> File Systems --> Network Filesystems make sure that

Code: Select all

│    <*> NFS file system support                                      │ │  
  │ │    [ ]   Provide NFSv3 client support (NEW)                         │ │  
  │ │    [ ]   Provide NFSv4 client support (EXPERIMENTAL) (NEW)          │ │  
  │ │    [ ]   Allow direct I/O on NFS files (NEW)                        │ │  
  │ │    <*> NFS server support                                           │ │  
  │ │    [ ]   Provide NFSv3 server support (NEW)                         │ │  
  │ │    [*]   Provide NFS server over TCP support (NEW)                  │ │  
  │ │    [ ] Root file system on NFS (NEW)  

Code: Select all

│ │    [ ] Root file system on NFS (NEW)  

This should NOT be checked unless your root is in fact on nfs.

[cheater1034]

Hi. I just finished installing new conrad and when I boot I get following error:

Code: Select all

Booting 'Gentoo Linux | Conrad V4 - 2.6.20-no2'
root (hd0,4) # boot partition
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.20-no2 root=/dev/sda7 video=vesafb:1152x864-24@75,mtrr,ywra
p splash=silent,fadein,theme:conrad quiet CONSOLE=/dev/tty1
    [Linux-bzImage, setup=0x1a00, size=0x272d30]
initrd (hd0,4)/fbsplash
    [Linux-initrd @ 0x1ffac000, 0x330c7 bytes]

Uncompressing Linux ... Ok, booting the kernel.
intel_rng: FWH not detected
Can't open config file /etc/splash/conrad/1024x768.cfg.
No Verbose picture specified in the theme.
No silent picture specified in the theme.
Root-NFS: No NFS server available, giving up.
VFS: Unable to mount root fs via NFS, trying floppy.
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
sda: assuming drive cache: write through

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(2,0)

Any Ideas what I did wrong this time? I tried to do everything like guide told me.

My guess is your kernel is configured wrong

Look at seren's suggestions.\

[n0rbi666]

8.4 - Editing make.conf for hashstyle__

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/make.conf
Change 'LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"' to
'LDFLAGS="-Wl,--hash-style=gnu"

Hm, why only hash-style ? IMO
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1 -Wl,--hash-style=gnu"
Should be better ...

And why don't you use --as-needed ? It's preety safe (For all packages in world only psi dev snapshot caused troubles)

[cheater1034]

8.4 - Editing make.conf for hashstyle__

Code: Select all

# nano /etc/make.conf
Change 'LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1"' to
'LDFLAGS="-Wl,--hash-style=gnu"

Hm, why only hash-style ? IMO
LDFLAGS="-Wl,-O1 -Wl,--hash-style=gnu"
Should be better ...

And why don't you use --as-needed ? It's preety safe (For all packages in world only psi dev snapshot caused troubles)

i dont like this comment Everybody has a different definition of "better" in this case that's not better.

I know of 20 some odd # of packages that break with --as-needed (and counting) and I don't want to support that. I am promoting a fast, custom make.conf that remains stable for all packages.

[chrisdupre]

Hey fellas,

code: hdparm -tT /dev/sda
/dev/sda 718MB in 2.0secs = 358.7 MB/sec
168MB in 3.01 = 55.87 MB/sec
(this is with dma enabled)

code:hdparm -tT /dev/hda
/dev/hda 1448 in 2.0secs = 768 MB/sec
168MB in 3.01 = 55.87 MB/sec

I believe this is a libata problem not sure, but I know this HD is faster than 718MB/sec. Is there anyway to turn off libata on the livecd? This HD is not even an sata HD, but the ~x86 livecd shows it as a sata? I had to use the Gentoo 2.6.17-r8 livecd to get the hdparm -tT /dev/hda.

Thanks for the hard work conrad!!

[Kollin]

i dont like this comment Everybody has a different definition of "better" in this case that's not better.

I know of 20 some odd # of packages that break with --as-needed (and counting) and I don't want to support that. I am promoting a fast, custom make.conf that remains stable for all packages.

Your guide is the best, sweetie.I`m using it almost 2 years already.
Thank you for your efforts to make everybody happy.
Keep up the good work

[chrisdupre]

ok I tried gentoo nosata, but it doesn't boot. On another forum someone mentioned with libata /dev/hda becomes /dev/sda? This is ok but why does the performance degrade even after you turn on DMA etc..,. Maybe I will fix this problem in the kernel config? I'll post back later and tell what happens.

[cheater1034]

ok I tried gentoo nosata, but it doesn't boot. On another forum someone mentioned with libata /dev/hda becomes /dev/sda? This is ok but why does the performance degrade even after you turn on DMA etc..,. Maybe I will fix this problem in the kernel config? I'll post back later and tell what happens.

Hi, this is a strange situation and since this isn't my livecd it's kind of out of my control to fix the kernel.

I have SATA drives and they work fine here, but I don't know why libata would cause that problem.

[vipernicus]

ok I tried gentoo nosata, but it doesn't boot. On another forum someone mentioned with libata /dev/hda becomes /dev/sda? This is ok but why does the performance degrade even after you turn on DMA etc..,. Maybe I will fix this problem in the kernel config? I'll post back later and tell what happens.

You get better performance changing from ata to libata.

[kernelOfTruth]

Hey fellas,

code: hdparm -tT /dev/sda
/dev/sda 718MB in 2.0secs = 358.7 MB/sec
168MB in 3.01 = 55.87 MB/sec
(this is with dma enabled)

code:hdparm -tT /dev/hda
/dev/hda 1448 in 2.0secs = 768 MB/sec
168MB in 3.01 = 55.87 MB/sec

I believe this is a libata problem not sure, but I know this HD is faster than 718MB/sec. Is there anyway to turn off libata on the livecd? This HD is not even an sata HD, but the ~x86 livecd shows it as a sata? I had to use the Gentoo 2.6.17-r8 livecd to get the hdparm -tT /dev/hda.

Thanks for the hard work conrad!!

what controller do have ?

I'm also experiencing very different results when using libata with ide-drives, but the most important thing is that you get same
direct linux buffer cache read access performance, isn't it?

have you tried a previous release of "small gentoo" (e.g. r7 for x86) and compared results?

[chrisdupre]

controller: nvidia for sata and ide.
Motherboard is K8N for socket 754.

No I haven't tried any other .iso, but I might try another ~x86 package. I have an 64bit chip but I want to try ext4 out so I need to use the 32bit package.

[vipernicus]

hdparm 6.9 always shows me half the number that hdparm 6.6 shows

[Amfabeta]

Thanks for help. Everything seems to work now. I was missing some hardware support in kernel. This is the best install guide that I've tried so far. Good job!