Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-30 Thread R G Cottrell
I'm back after getting some sleep.
Paul E Condon wrote:
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 01:45:46PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 

Paul E Condon wrote:
   

On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 

Hi folks,
I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
get any replies.
I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
2.6.x kernel source.

I now have:
 kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
I also have
 kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.

I also have:
 kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
but I don't really know what to do with it either.
I do have kernel-package installed.
As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
   

:-( Not any more.  I wonder if I'll run into the compile-time bug described
for the -6 version.  We'll see.
What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
_identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 

   

The Debian way really does work. I suggest that you stick with it.
 

I'd certainly prefer to be able to do it the Debian way.
   

You use make-kpkg as your main tool. Making a kernel package that is
_identical_ to the precompiled package that you have already
downloaded is unwise. You need, at least, to change the
version/rev.number or something so that your computer can distinguish
between the two (and so that you can distinguish between the two in
order to tell whether or not you have succeeded) 

 

Well, I was planning to rename the original, downloaded kernel-image, after
verifying that it would boot my machine.  It should.  I'm currently running
on the  -2 suffixed kernel, so the -6 should work too, I hope.
   

The instructions for
setting up this change are in man page (I think). Choose an ID string
that includes something personal, such as you initials. 

 

I think I see how to do this, now that I've been directed to:
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
   

Then copy the config file of the prepackaged kernel from /boot into
the source tree under /usr, and follow the steps in the man page.
 

Makes sense.
   

Making a near identical copy of a Debian kernel package is a good
training exercise, and good first step. If it fails, you know that
your new kernel is not failing because of a poor choise of kernel
config options, you are using the ones that you know work for your
hardware. After you have succeeded at this exercise, you can start
tweeking the config parms and recompiling.
HTH
 

The point of making one that is byte-for-byte identical to the downloaded
kernel-image is to check for subtle errors.  If I get a kernel-image that is
similar but not identical, it would be difficult to rule out user error if
the thing doesn't in fact boot.  If I can create one that is identical, 
then
customising it should be a snap.
   

The kernel image (i.e. the actual file that is used to load the kernel
into RAM) contains its own name, as internal data. You will have a
muddle if you try to have two kernel images on your harddisk that have
the same name. If you have an image whose name is different from what
it thinks it is named you will also have a muddle. Think of a
different way of verifying that you have succeeded. 

Surely it can't hurt to have an identical file sitting around on the 
hard drive.
I can go back to booting the 2.4.26 kernel and avoid any problem with the
modules, by scrubbing the 2.4.27 modules before installing any modules I
compile.

If you create a
new kernel image package with a new name, but using the same config
options, and then install this new package you will have a new config
file in /boot which will have your new name and will contain the
options selections that were used to produce it. Diff of this against
the one that was already there is one check that you can do. But, diff
of the kernel images will surely fail to show identity. Think of something
else to do to give you confidence in your work. 
 

Maybe I'm stubborn, but I want to 

Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-30 Thread Paul E Condon
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 09:22:22PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 I'm back after getting some sleep.
 
 Paul E Condon wrote:
 
 On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 01:45:46PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
  
 
 Paul E Condon wrote:
 

 
 On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 
 
  
 
 Hi folks,
 
 I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
 get any replies.
 
 I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
 a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
 have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
 genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
 successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
 but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
 filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
 
 I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
 downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
 3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
 2.6.x kernel source.
 
 I now have:
 
  kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
 
 I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
 compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
 
 I also have
 
  kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
 
 but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
 I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
 know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.
   
 I also have:
 
  kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
 
 but I don't really know what to do with it either.
 
 I do have kernel-package installed.
 
 As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 
  kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)

 
 :-( Not any more.  I wonder if I'll run into the compile-time bug described
 for the -6 version.  We'll see.
 
 What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
 _identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
 depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 
  
 

 
 The Debian way really does work. I suggest that you stick with it.
 
 
  
 
 I'd certainly prefer to be able to do it the Debian way.
 

 
 You use make-kpkg as your main tool. Making a kernel package that is
 _identical_ to the precompiled package that you have already
 downloaded is unwise. You need, at least, to change the
 version/rev.number or something so that your computer can distinguish
 between the two (and so that you can distinguish between the two in
 order to tell whether or not you have succeeded) 
 
  
 
 Well, I was planning to rename the original, downloaded kernel-image, 
 after
 verifying that it would boot my machine.  It should.  I'm currently 
 running
 on the  -2 suffixed kernel, so the -6 should work too, I hope.
 

 
 The instructions for
 setting up this change are in man page (I think). Choose an ID string
 that includes something personal, such as you initials. 
 
 
  
 
 I think I see how to do this, now that I've been directed to:
 
 http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
 

 
 Then copy the config file of the prepackaged kernel from /boot into
 the source tree under /usr, and follow the steps in the man page.
 
 
  
 
 Makes sense.
 

 
 Making a near identical copy of a Debian kernel package is a good
 training exercise, and good first step. If it fails, you know that
 your new kernel is not failing because of a poor choise of kernel
 config options, you are using the ones that you know work for your
 hardware. After you have succeeded at this exercise, you can start
 tweeking the config parms and recompiling.
 
 HTH
 
 
  
 
 The point of making one that is byte-for-byte identical to the downloaded
 kernel-image is to check for subtle errors.  If I get a kernel-image that 
 is
 similar but not identical, it would be difficult to rule out user error if
 the thing doesn't in fact boot.  If I can create one that is identical, 
 then
 customising it should be a snap.

 
 
 The kernel image (i.e. the actual file that is used to load the kernel
 into RAM) contains its own name, as internal data. You will have a
 muddle if you try to have two kernel images on your harddisk that have
 the same name. If you have an image whose name is different from what
 it thinks it is named you will also have a muddle. Think of a
 different way of verifying that you have succeeded. 
 
 Surely it can't hurt to have an identical file sitting around on the 
 hard drive.

The problem is that both the original install and your replacement put
their stuff in the same place. And they have to do so because that is
the place where the kernel binary and the loader expect to find it.

You can move the original stuff to someplace else to get it out of the
way, but then you can't use it to boot back into your old kernel, if
you new one fails to boot properly. 

 I can go back to booting the 2.4.26 

How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread R G Cottrell
Hi folks,
I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
get any replies.
I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
2.6.x kernel source.

I now have:
kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
I also have
kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.

I also have:
kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
but I don't really know what to do with it either.
I do have kernel-package installed.
As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
_identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
depends on the precise version of the compiler.
Thanks in advance.
Regards, Rossc.
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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread Benjamin A'Lee
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000 or thereabouts, R G Cottrell wrote:
 As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 
 kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
 
 What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
 _identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
 depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 

http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html

I assume that works; I don't bother making a .deb package and just
compile it the non-Debian way.

-- 
 -Benjamin A'Lee

Termisoc Secretary: http://www.termisoc.org/
Home Page: http://benalee.co.uk/
Public Key: BEC9DC1A
Men can't multitask, but Unix can.


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Description: Digital signature


Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread cancer
as far as i know xconfig should read the .config file of the running
kernel if there is no other. i have poor experience with that, but it
worked for me for a couple of times.


On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 02:45:48 +, Benjamin A'Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000 or thereabouts, R G Cottrell wrote:
  As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 
  kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
 
  What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
  _identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
  depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 
 
 http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
 
 I assume that works; I don't bother making a .deb package and just
 compile it the non-Debian way.
 
 --
  -Benjamin A'Lee
 
 Termisoc Secretary: http://www.termisoc.org/
 Home Page: http://benalee.co.uk/
 Public Key: BEC9DC1A
 Men can't multitask, but Unix can.
 
 
 


-- 
Rise Again!


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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread Paul E Condon
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 Hi folks,
 
 I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
 get any replies.
 
 I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
 a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
 have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
 genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
 successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
 but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
 filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
 
 I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
 downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
 3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
 2.6.x kernel source.
 
 I now have:
 
 kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
 
 I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
 compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
 
 I also have
 
 kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
 
 but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
 I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
 know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.
   
 I also have:
 
 kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
 
 but I don't really know what to do with it either.
 
 I do have kernel-package installed.
 
 As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 
 kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
 
 What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
 _identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
 depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 

The Debian way really does work. I suggest that you stick with it.

You use make-kpkg as your main tool. Making a kernel package that is
_identical_ to the precompiled package that you have already
downloaded is unwise. You need, at least, to change the
version/rev.number or something so that your computer can distinguish
between the two (and so that you can distinguish between the two in
order to tell whether or not you have succeeded) The instructions for
setting up this change are in man page (I think). Choose an ID string
that includes something personal, such as you initials. 

Then copy the config file of the prepackaged kernel from /boot into
the source tree under /usr, and follow the steps in the man page.

Making a near identical copy of a Debian kernel package is a good
training exercise, and good first step. If it fails, you know that
your new kernel is not failing because of a poor choise of kernel
config options, you are using the ones that you know work for your
hardware. After you have succeeded at this exercise, you can start
tweeking the config parms and recompiling.

HTH

-- 
Paul E Condon   
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread R G Cottrell
cancer wrote:
as far as i know xconfig should read the .config file of the running
kernel if there is no other. i have poor experience with that, but it
worked for me for a couple of times.
 

In my experience, make xconfig and make menuconfig both read the .config
file in the source directory, which is present when you install the sources.
I've tried copying the appropriate config file from the /boot directory and
loading that, but without success. :-(
Regards, Rossc.
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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread R G Cottrell
Benjamin A'Lee wrote:
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000 or thereabouts, R G Cottrell wrote:
 

As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
   kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
_identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
depends on the precise version of the compiler.
   

http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
I assume that works; I don't bother making a .deb package and just
compile it the non-Debian way.
 

Thanks Benjamin, I've just had a look at that.  Maybe an incantation 
based on that
will do the trick.  It'll take a few hours to find out, and I'm not too 
hopeful.  I've
tried it the non-debian way as well, and using sources from all over.  
If anyone
else has any more hints, please sing out. 

Regards, Rossc.
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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread R G Cottrell
Paul E Condon wrote:
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 

Hi folks,
I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
get any replies.
I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
2.6.x kernel source.

I now have:
   kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
I also have
   kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.

I also have:
   kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
but I don't really know what to do with it either.
I do have kernel-package installed.
As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
   kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
_identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
depends on the precise version of the compiler.
   

The Debian way really does work. I suggest that you stick with it.
 

I'd certainly prefer to be able to do it the Debian way.
You use make-kpkg as your main tool. Making a kernel package that is
_identical_ to the precompiled package that you have already
downloaded is unwise. You need, at least, to change the
version/rev.number or something so that your computer can distinguish
between the two (and so that you can distinguish between the two in
order to tell whether or not you have succeeded) 

Well, I was planning to rename the original, downloaded kernel-image, after
verifying that it would boot my machine.  It should.  I'm currently running
on the  -2 suffixed kernel, so the -6 should work too, I hope.
The instructions for
setting up this change are in man page (I think). Choose an ID string
that includes something personal, such as you initials. 
 

I think I see how to do this, now that I've been directed to:
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
Then copy the config file of the prepackaged kernel from /boot into
the source tree under /usr, and follow the steps in the man page.
 

Makes sense.
Making a near identical copy of a Debian kernel package is a good
training exercise, and good first step. If it fails, you know that
your new kernel is not failing because of a poor choise of kernel
config options, you are using the ones that you know work for your
hardware. After you have succeeded at this exercise, you can start
tweeking the config parms and recompiling.
HTH
 

The point of making one that is byte-for-byte identical to the downloaded
kernel-image is to check for subtle errors.  If I get a kernel-image that is
similar but not identical, it would be difficult to rule out user error if
the thing doesn't in fact boot.  If I can create one that is identical, 
then
customising it should be a snap.

I've been through the process quite a few times (unsuccessfully) and read
quite a bit, but it never seems to come out right.  I have successfully
compiled a kernel or three on a different machine using an old copy
of red hat, and I've been programming in C and other languages on
and off for almost 2 decades, but Debian kernels seem to give me trouble. 
Maybe it's just some subtle fault in this old box.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice; we'll see how it goes.
Regards, Rossc.
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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread Paul E Condon
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 01:22:01PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 cancer wrote:
 
 as far as i know xconfig should read the .config file of the running
 kernel if there is no other. i have poor experience with that, but it
 worked for me for a couple of times.
  
 
 In my experience, make xconfig and make menuconfig both read the .config
 file in the source directory, which is present when you install the sources.
 I've tried copying the appropriate config file from the /boot directory and
 loading that, but without success. :-(
 

I think all that is needed is to copy the appropriate config file from
/boot and give it the name .config, and put it where xconfig and
menuconfig expect to find it. You can know where that is by running
menuconfig and seeing where it puts its version of config. i.e. first
run menuconfig, but pay no attention to getting the config correct,
just find where it is. Then overwrite it with a copy of config from
/boot. Either wrong name or wrong place will cause failure.

-- 
Paul E Condon   
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread R G Cottrell
Paul E Condon wrote:
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 01:22:01PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 

cancer wrote:
   

as far as i know xconfig should read the .config file of the running
kernel if there is no other. i have poor experience with that, but it
worked for me for a couple of times.
 

In my experience, make xconfig and make menuconfig both read the .config
file in the source directory, which is present when you install the sources.
I've tried copying the appropriate config file from the /boot directory and
loading that, but without success. :-(
   

I think all that is needed is to copy the appropriate config file from
/boot and give it the name .config, and put it where xconfig and
menuconfig expect to find it. You can know where that is by running
menuconfig and seeing where it puts its version of config. i.e. first
run menuconfig, but pay no attention to getting the config correct,
just find where it is. Then overwrite it with a copy of config from
/boot. Either wrong name or wrong place will cause failure.
 

Sounds workable.  Thanks again, Paul.
I don't think I should try this stuff out right now - I've been up for 
about 22 hours.
As tempting as it would be to let the thing compile while I sleep, I 
think I'll come
back to it after some shut-eye when I'm less likely to make silly mistakes.

Regards, Rossc.
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Re: How can I make a kernel package that is _identical_ to those available for download?

2004-12-29 Thread Paul E Condon
On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 01:45:46PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
 Paul E Condon wrote:
 
 On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 12:17:44PM +1000, R G Cottrell wrote:
  
 
 Hi folks,
 
 I asked this on debian-kernel about 8 hours ago but didn't
 get any replies.
 
 I've tried about half a dozen times over the last year to compile
 a working kernel for my old 233MHz machine.  I thought I might
 have had a defective processor (a K6) but I've changed it to a
 genuine Intel Pentium and still had no success.  I can
 successfully install one of the precompiled kernel images,
 but compiling one on my box has failed so far.  At one point I
 filed a bug report but Herbert Xu was unable/unwilling to help.
 
 I am currently running RC1 of sarge with a 2.4.27 kernel that I 
 downloaded as a kernel image, but I've previously tried with
 3.0r1 with 2.4.18 and other 2.4.x kernels, as well as an early
 2.6.x kernel source.
 
 I now have:
 
kernel-source-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_all.deb (30M)
 
 I thought I knew what to do with this, but my past failures in
 compiling kernels on this box make me wary.
 
 I also have
 
kernel-image-2.4.27_2.4.27-6.tar.gz (95K)
 
 but I can't understand what I'm supposed to do with it.
 I've unpacked it but it seems to be for those who already
 know how it works - there's no readme or help I can see.
 
 I also have:
 
kernel-build-2.4.27_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (8K)
 
 but I don't really know what to do with it either.
 
 I do have kernel-package installed.
 
 As far as I can tell, the latest testing kernel image for Pentium is:
 
kernel-image-2.4.27-1-586tsc_2.4.27-6_i386.deb (11.5M)
 
 What commands do I need to issue in order to generate a .deb that is
 _identical_ to that?  I assume I have to use make-kpkg, and it probably
 depends on the precise version of the compiler.
 

 
 
 The Debian way really does work. I suggest that you stick with it.
  
 
 I'd certainly prefer to be able to do it the Debian way.
 
 You use make-kpkg as your main tool. Making a kernel package that is
 _identical_ to the precompiled package that you have already
 downloaded is unwise. You need, at least, to change the
 version/rev.number or something so that your computer can distinguish
 between the two (and so that you can distinguish between the two in
 order to tell whether or not you have succeeded) 
 
 Well, I was planning to rename the original, downloaded kernel-image, after
 verifying that it would boot my machine.  It should.  I'm currently running
 on the  -2 suffixed kernel, so the -6 should work too, I hope.
 
 The instructions for
 setting up this change are in man page (I think). Choose an ID string
 that includes something personal, such as you initials. 
  
 
 I think I see how to do this, now that I've been directed to:
 
 http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/reference/ch-kernel.en.html
 
 Then copy the config file of the prepackaged kernel from /boot into
 the source tree under /usr, and follow the steps in the man page.
  
 
 Makes sense.
 
 Making a near identical copy of a Debian kernel package is a good
 training exercise, and good first step. If it fails, you know that
 your new kernel is not failing because of a poor choise of kernel
 config options, you are using the ones that you know work for your
 hardware. After you have succeeded at this exercise, you can start
 tweeking the config parms and recompiling.
 
 HTH
  
 
 The point of making one that is byte-for-byte identical to the downloaded
 kernel-image is to check for subtle errors.  If I get a kernel-image that is
 similar but not identical, it would be difficult to rule out user error if
 the thing doesn't in fact boot.  If I can create one that is identical, 
 then
 customising it should be a snap.

The kernel image (i.e. the actual file that is used to load the kernel
into RAM) contains its own name, as internal data. You will have a
muddle if you try to have two kernel images on your harddisk that have
the same name. If you have an image whose name is different from what
it thinks it is named you will also have a muddle. Think of a
different way of verifying that you have succeeded. If you create a
new kernel image package with a new name, but using the same config
options, and then install this new package you will have a new config
file in /boot which will have your new name and will contain the
options selections that were used to produce it. Diff of this against
the one that was already there is one check that you can do. But, diff
of the kernel images will surely fail to show identity. Think of something
else to do to give you confidence in your work. 

Also, the name of the kernel image is also used to select which set of
runtime loadable modules are used by the kernel. You need to keep your
newbie modules out of the way of the working kernel so that you can 
revert to the old working kernel if you do make a mistake.

 
 I've been through the process quite a few times (unsuccessfully) and read
 quite a bit, but it never seems to