optimizing custom kernel

aikidoist72 · 2005-05-19 23:58:03

Hi peoples,

Before I begin I will say that I have compiled 5 custom kernels previously, with Debian, and have researched the Intel and Aopen websites regarding my Pentium chip and motherboard. I am hoping someone with a few more brain cells than I could assist me as to the exact settings I need for my hardware. My aim is to achieve a fuller understanding of the settings required.

I have an AOpen AX4PE Max 845PE socket 478 DDR333 motherboard.

Specifications


CPU    Intel Pentium 4 CPU
Socket 478
533MHz
Chipset    Intel 845PE
Intel ICH4
Super I/O    Winbond
Clock Gen.    ICS
Max Overclocking : 992Mhz
Main Memory    Support DDR333 [PC2700] (*note)
DDR DIMM x 3
Max 2GB
Graphics    4X AGP slot
IDE    Integrated ATA100 Controller
Promise ATA133 and Serial ATA Control Chip
LAN    Realtek 10/100Mbps PCI LAN Chip
Integrated Realtek PHY
Sound    Realtek AC'97 CODEC on-board
5.1 Channel
USB    USB2.0 x 6
IEEE 1394    TI 1394 Control Chip
Integrated TI PHY
Slots    AGP x 1
PCI x 6
CNR x 1
Storage & Back Panel I/O    Floppy Drive Connector x 1
IDE Channel : ATA100 x 2
Extra IDE Channel : ATA133 x 1
Serial ATA Channel x 2
PS/2 Keyboard x 1
PS/2 Mouse x 1
USB Port x 4
LAN Port x 1
COM Port x 2
Printer Port x 1
Speaker_Out x 1
Line_In x 1
MIC_In x 1
On Board Connector    Front Panel x 1
Front Audio x 1
CPU FAN x 1
System FAN x 1
Chassis FAN x 1
Case Open Connector x 1
AUX_IN x 1
CD_IN x 1
Wake_on_LAN x 1
IrDA x 1
S/PDIF x 1
Dr LED x 1
Game Connector x 1
IEEE 1394 x 2
USB Port x 2
BIOS    Award PnP 4Mb Flash ROM BIOS
Form Factor    ATX
Board Size    305 mm x 244 mm
Software & Utility    Acrobat Reader
AOconfig utility
EzRestore/ProMagic
EzSkin utility
EzWinFlash utility
Norton Anti-Virus
Online Manual
SilentTek Software
Accessory    Easy Installation Guide x 1
Enhanced Full Pictured Manual x 1
EzRestore Guide x 1
Bonus Pack CD disc x 1
Norton Anti-Virus CD disc x 1
Floppy Disk cable x 1
80-wire ATA66 IDE cable x 1
80-wire ATA100/133 cable x 1
Serial ATA cable x 1
IEEE 1394 cable x 1
USB2.0 cable x 1
Back Panel I/O Shield x 1
CPU Retention Module x 1

Also I have a 478pin Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz

[evan@jelb 09:33:13 ~]$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor : 0
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 15
model : 2
model name : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
stepping : 7
cpu MHz : 2403.102
cache size : 512 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 1
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 2
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe cid
bogomips : 4751.36

If any further info is needed please let me know. I appreciate any help given as I know how long it can take :-)

Cheers

iphitus · 2005-05-20 00:41:12

The general rule of thumb is not to optimise the kernel.

In the kernel config, hit menu config, and somewhere, i think its under general configuration theres an option to pick your CPU. This enables certain build flags that the kernel developers believe are safe to use.

Last time i deviated from these, the kernel didnt boot

aikidoist72 · 2005-05-20 00:58:46

Thanks iphitus,

What CPU is it out of all these choices?

I have a range of pentium choices, and I usually choose P4. Pentium Pro is highlighted by default.

iphitus · 2005-05-20 05:07:18

From the main menu, Processor Type And Features

SubArchitecture: PC Compatible
Processor Family: Pentium 4/Celeron/P4m/Xeon

Disable Generic x86 support.

aikidoist72 · 2005-05-20 11:36:34

iphitus,

Mate, your an Aussie!!! Didn't see that before Same here ACT lad, but wil be moving to perth soon. Anyways.... on to the question.

Do I need devfs option as a module or unchecked. I have complied twice now, and both times I load up to the Arch Linux wombat sign then theoretically mount my drives, but I end up with an error. It says can not mount /dev/hda2 (or any partition for that matter via CLI).

I have reiserfs built in so I can not understand where the problem lies. Any clues?

Cheers

vipernicus · 2005-05-24 19:06:33

You have to compile in devfs and automount devfs to get arch to boot. Took me several times to figure this out. I'm sure it is in the wiki somewhere.

iBertus · 2005-05-24 19:54:30

You don't need devfs if you plan on using udev.. which I would highly recommend.

pantyhacker · 2005-09-25 04:55:32

iphitus wrote:

The general rule of thumb is not to optimise the kernel.
In the kernel config, hit menu config, and somewhere, i think its under general configuration theres an option to pick your CPU. This enables certain build flags that the kernel developers believe are safe to use.
Last time i deviated from these, the kernel didnt boot

i "optimise" my kernel right after i update to the newest stable vanilla sources and i generally take everything out of the kernel i don't need, and i've never had a problem booting my machine, ... i'd be more than willing to post my .config as well if anyone cares to view it.

colnago · 2005-09-26 05:03:03

It compiles a lot faster if you take out all the junk you don't have, too.

There has been many posts about wether to pick the architecture for your pc or to leave it. Since all of the binaries will have been built with the CONFIG_M686=y. Also, you can set up /etc/makepkg.conf for your processor so that you actually use the special flags if you compile yourself. Gentoo forums have a lot about this type of thing.

Arch Linux

#1 2005-05-19 23:58:03

optimizing custom kernel

#2 2005-05-20 00:41:12

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#3 2005-05-20 00:58:46

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#4 2005-05-20 05:07:18

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#5 2005-05-20 11:36:34

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#6 2005-05-24 19:06:33

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#7 2005-05-24 19:54:30

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#8 2005-09-25 04:55:32

Re: optimizing custom kernel

#9 2005-09-26 05:03:03

Re: optimizing custom kernel

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