my first kernel compile

[gring00]

Well, it was three in the end...
I've had a devil of a time getting a 2.4 kernel version'd distribution to work on my main rig, I've downloaded mandrake 8.0 , slackware, most of debian and assorted other bits. None of them would boot. I kept getting an error complaining about not being able to mount the root filesystem.
I then reverted to older versions of mandrake and suse I have lying around. These unfortunately went t*ts up at the xconfig bit. Finally mandrake 7.2 came to the rescue.
So, I want to use me adsl with linux so I need 2.4. Downloaded all the bits, no probs. Did my first install. Went fine (man the config stage takes forever!) but I hit smp on by mistake so I figured I do it again and get rid of it. Off I went. Reboot. Bam, cant read superblock. Bad memories of the last week come flooding back. Third time lucky. I compiled my modules before the kernel you see. At least doing it as per the FM seemed to work (i.e. modules after kernel).
I still get some errors on boot, but nothing fatal. And my fonts are a bit out of whack too. But all in all fairly painless.

:)

[aef]

[not being able to mount root filesystem]

Did you by any chance put the kernel onto a floppy and omit to use root=/dev/whatever as an argument at the boot prompt? Either that, or perhaps you didn't configure the necessary filesystem/hardware drivers in the kernel?

AEF

[gring00]

Nah, I compiled it in a sensible manner, I'm pretty sure. The only thing I did differently is to compile the modules before the kernel that time it didn't work.
Now of course, to get the old adsl working I've probably got a few more ahead of me. <sigh> Live and learn. Must try xconfig ...
I'm also using 2.4.4 which may complicate things as Mr. Linux Dude's instructions are for 2.4.2 iirk . I imagine if I stare at it long enough it will begin to make sense.
:)