070708 - Kernel 2.6.21 CK2 patched

[easuter]

A kernel 2.6.21 build patched with Con Kolivas' CK2 patchset is (finally) available in the testing repo:

Source: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/source/testing/kernel/kernel-ck2/

Package: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/testing/kernel/kernel-ck2-2.6.21-i586-1vl58.tlz

Code:

kernel-ck2: Kernel 2.6.21 CK2
kernel-ck2:
kernel-ck2: This package provides a bootable image of the Linux
kernel-ck2: 2.6.21 kernel patched with Con Kolivas' CK2 patchset.
kernel-ck2:
kernel-ck2: Websites: http://www.kernel.org
kernel-ck2:           http://members.optusnet.com.au/ckolivas/kernel/
kernel-ck2: License: GNU General Public License, version 2

Package: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/testing/kernel/kernel-modules-ck2-2.6.21-i586-1vl58.tlz

Code:

kernel-modules-ck2: Kernel 2.6.21 CK2
kernel-modules-ck2:
kernel-modules-ck2: This package provides the modules for the Linux
kernel-modules-ck2: 2.6.21 kernel patched with the CK2 patchset.
kernel-modules-ck2:
kernel-modules-ck2: Websites: http://www.kernel.org
kernel-modules-ck2:           http://members.optusnet.com.au/ckolivas/kernel/
kernel-modules-ck2: License: GNU General Public License, version 2

Package: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/testing/kernel/kernel-src-ck2-2.6.21-i586-1vl58.tlz

Code:

kernel-src-ck2: Kernel 2.6.21 CK2 source code
kernel-src-ck2:
kernel-src-ck2: This package contains the source code for the
kernel-src-ck2: Linux 2.6.21 kernel patched with Con Kolivas'
kernel-src-ck2: CK2 patchset.
kernel-src-ck2:
kernel-src-ck2: Websites: http://www.kernel.org
kernel-src-ck2:           http://members.optusnet.com.au/ckolivas/kernel/
kernel-src-ck2: License: GNU General Public License, version 2

To install the kernel, make sure you have the testing repo enabled, and that you have refreshed the package list of course.
After that run:

Code:

slapt-get --install kernel-ck2 kernel-modules-ck2 kernel-src-ck2

Or download the packages manually from the provided links.

For those using LILO, don't forget to run /sbin/lilo -v after the packages have installed, GRUB users don't have to worry about reinstalling the MBR.
Either way, its a good idea to make an additional entry to the LILO or GRUB menu for the "old" kernel, just in case you run into trouble.

If you have any modules you were using with your old kernel that had to be installed separately, such as the NVidia or ATI drivers, then they will have to be re-installed once you are running the 2.6.21-ck2 kernel.

Post any problems/feedback here.

[exeterdad]

Thanks easuter!

Rather than building my own, I installed yours per instructions above.  Worked like a charm on VL5.8 Standard. I must say Firefox and Seamonkey load times are noticeably faster!

[tomh38]

Thanks for building this, easuter!  I want to try it ... but I do have one really newbie question:  how do I make that additional entry in LILO for the old kernel? How do I make it distinct from the new "image = /boot/vmlinuz"?

[exeterdad]

I added this as another entry.
The "vmlinuz" should reflect what you have as your original kernel in /boot

Code:

# Old kernel: Linux GUI mode
image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18.5
    root = /dev/hda2
    label = linux-2.6.18.5
    read-only
    initrd = /boot/initrd

Hope that was helpful?

Just in case....  after changing your lilo.conf, run lilo as root.

I wanted to add.  Not that it's a bug or a problem.  There is not a bootsplash.  Just text scrolling by on bootup.  I don't mind a bit, but others may be alarmed.

[retired1af]

After a catastrophic boo-boo (I really do need to read instructions AFTER a couple of cups of coffee ), finally got the new kernel up and running. Working flawlessly.

[exeterdad]

After a catastrophic boo-boo (I really do need to read instructions AFTER a couple of cups of coffee), finally got the new kernel up and running. Working flawlessly.

Don't feel bad!  Ahem....  I'm running on a fresh install because of a boo-boo with a kernel I compiled myself and didn't use caution.  I replaced my old kernel instead of leaving it around as a stand by.  lol

[easuter]

Has anyone here had problems using proprietary video drivers with this kernel (Ati, Nvidia - legacy and new).

DrGrov has reported that the nvidia drivers refuse to build, can anyone else confirm this too?

[retired1af]

I'm using the latest nVidia drivers. Compiled fine when I followed the instructions. First time was a bit of a disaster, though..... Helps when you download ALL the files before you start the process. 

[DrGrov]

The thing is that I really did download everything according to easuter's instructions.
But perhaps I have done a human error somewhere along the line and didn't realize until I already had everything downloaded and was going to install the Nvidia drivers.

[exeterdad]

Nvidia drivers working here.  I did rebuild my kernel more specific to my machine.  But pretty much your patched kernel.

[easuter]

I got the same errors as DrGrov did, but haven't been able to nail the problem yet. however, uelsk8s is building a revision of this kernel with bootsplash support patched in as well

[MikeCindi]

No problems here so far; works very nicely and subjectively seems to make my install of VL SOHO 5.8 more responsive. Thank you for the work easuter.

[uelsk8s]

Here are my findings and new packages.
DrGrov is trying to build the 8774 Nvidia driver. That driver will not build on kernels later than 2.6.19
you need to use the 7185 driver for older cards or most of the newer drivers with this kernel.

The only differences with these packages and the originals are added bootsplash, and cleaned src tree resulting in smaller src package size and less used disk space.
Here are my kernel packages :
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/kernels/kernel-ck2-2.6.21-i586-2vl58.tlz
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/kernels/kernel-modules-ck2-2.6.21-i586-2vl58.tlz
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-5.8/kernels/kernel-src-ck2-2.6.21-i586-2vl58.tlz

[nightflier]

Results on my system (5.8 SOHO RC1, P4-2.4HT/1G nV GF6200):

Downloaded uelsk8's packages. Install with installpkg was painless.
LILO was automatically updated with an entry for the new kernel.

Downloaded and installed nVidia driver 100.14.11 (released June 21, 2007), no problems.

System runs great and subjectively feels faster.

Thanks, guys!

[caitlyn]

The new kernel packages work well and I do see performance improvement.  Installing the new kernel, however, does break the madwifi driver.  The solution is to compile the driver from source against the new kernel and then everything is good again.  I'll try to find time to build a madwifi package to use with this kernel.  I just thought I should post a heads up in the meanwhile for those with Atheros chipset wifi.