MINT 10: Build Kernel From Source?

[agomp]

Hello:
On Mint 10 (x64), I have tried to build the kernel linux-2.6.38.3 this way.
Note: Mint 10, is an Ubuntu derivative.

0) Modify the name suffix (as klass) in the makefile
1) make defconfig (From the right place)
2) make -j4 (I have a dual core CPU)
3) sudo make install (this will create most files but th initrd lile on /boot)
4 sudo mkinitramfs -o /boot/initrd/initrd-2.6.38.3-klass (same name as vmlinuz)
5) Edit the /boot/grub.cfg file stanza as

menuentry 'Linux Mint 10 64-bit, 2.6.38.3-klass (/dev/sda2)' --class linuxmint --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos2)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set f09a61cd-60a1-4a22-b972-73c0c87ff2ed
linux /vmlinuz-2.6.38.3-klass root=/dev/sda3 ro quiet splash
initrd /initrd-2.6.38.3-klass
}

Then the boot does not work!
Get stucked somewhere...

What would be the right way to build from the source, a kernel which really works?

THANKS.
ag.

[MikeTbob]

Hello and Welcome.
Rather than start over, show us the exact error messages and let's see if we can continue with what you have accomplished so far. Please, tell us the exact error message and or what you are seeing.

[agomp]

MikeTbob:

I forgot to mention in the build:
sudo make modules
sudo make modules_install
sudo make install

No errors here, just a warning on locale...

The:
A message flashes very fast, and seems to say missing modules.dep

Then it repeats continuously:

unable to enumerate USB device port 5

That is it.

[MikeTbob]

Do you have anything plugged into the USB ports that you do not need to boot? Remove them temporarily and try again. When you compiled your kernel, did you make any significant changes to the kernel itself? Can you post the link to where you are getting this info from? I know it's difficult to post links until you get 15 posts but you can remove the http://www. part and just post the rest of the link
You can also remove the "quiet splash" options from grub so that you can see all the boot time messages.

[Siddly]

If you don't already have it installed, apt-get install kernel-package. After making the config, menuconfig or xconfig
"make-kpkg --initrd linux_image linux_headers" will created .deb's of those which you can install with "dpkg -i".
With Ubuntu 10:10 it even sets up grub and the initrd files. I can't remember if 10.04 does it for you or you have to use mkinitramfs to make the initrd files.

[basharat1111]

does the os boot with kernel shipped with the installation cd

[Rubberman]

I build kernels all the time, for RHEL 5 and 6, Ubuntu 9.04 and 10.10, Gentoo, and others. Once you have created the .config file at the top of the kernel source tree, you should only need to do this:

make -j4
make headers_install
make modules_install
make install

It will do all the correct stuff, and you should not have to diddle around with stuff in /boot.

[MikeTbob]

I build kernels all the time, for RHEL 5 and 6, Ubuntu 9.04 and 10.10, Gentoo, and others. Once you have created the .config file at the top of the kernel source tree, you should only need to do this:

make -j4
make headers_install
make modules_install
make install

It will do all the correct stuff, and you should not have to diddle around with stuff in /boot.

Is that Ubuntu specific?
I've not seen make headers_install before.
@OP just FYI, you can issue all those commands in one:

make -j4 && make headers_install && make modules_install && make install

[basharat1111]

since you are completing the 'make' step
there is problem with your .config file which resides in kernel build directory
cd to the kernel build directory
issue command make mrproper
copy config file of working kernel residing in your boot directory by issuing command
cp /boot/config--version /path/to/the /kernel/build directory/.config
issue command make
the kernel will examine the copied .config file if it is from kernel of higher version it will remove the extra features if it is from the kernel of the lower version it will run menuconfig or xconfig and present the extra features say no to all, the make will continue
when make is over it should take at least 20 t0 25 minutes
issue commands
make modules_install
cp -f arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/kernel-image-version
cp -f System.map /boot/System.map-version
cp -f .config /boot/config-version
to find if you have build kernel properly
navigate to lib/modules
examine the module of the working kernel
and also
the module of the new kernel check the directory structure
if both modules are alike
the new kernel should work
make necessary entries in the menu lst
reboot with new kernel
the new kernel should work
once new kernel works you can repeat the above procedure
enabling new features when xconfig runs
when kernel is made from source tar ball the initrd is not normally required

[Siddly]

Is that Ubuntu specific?
I've not seen make headers_install before.
@OP just FYI, you can issue all those commands in one:

make -j4 && make headers_install && make modules_install && make install

And bang goes your previous kernel, blown away.