How to patch kernel ?

[Sonyk]

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How to apply patch-... files, that i download from kernel.org ?

[kode]

The Kernel Build Howto has step by step instructions for patching and compiling the kernel...

[rklewis2]

If you're using SUSE, why not use Y.O.U. and have it update the kernel automatically? I did it yesterday with no problems (other than having to reinstall my NVIDIA driver).

All it required was a reboot after completion.

[Cabhan]

Yeah, to ensure compatibility, it's probably just a better idea to grab it off YaST.

Just do a YaST search for "kernel" and "kernel-sources".


If you really want to compile on your own anyway, then download the kernel, copy your existing .config file into the new directory, then run either

make menuconfig

if you're in a terminal, or

make xconfig

if you're in X.

[felipe1982]

old thread, to be sure!
I would like to install a patch to my default opensuse 10.2 for reasons of ACPI (cpufreq scaling not 100% functional, suspend 2 ram not functional, et al)

I have been doing some preliminary readings (mostly READMEs I found in /usr/src/... directories of my laptop and googling this site, and other sites). I'm still trying to get the hang of this new OS, and I'm afraid that I might mess things up. I've already installed the kernel-source for 'default' opensuse 10.2 kernel onto my hard disk. From what i understand, my first step is backup the '.config' file. If anything goes wrong, I just just built up the default kernel once again (InOtherWords: revert back to default kernel). What other 'precautions' must I make/take before venturing and patching the opensuse default kernel?

*I will post only one question at a time. Hopefully I can find more help here to progress and to ultimately complete my mission.*

[felipe1982]

How can I get to kernel 2.6.19.2 from my current kernel version? I currently have opensuse default kernel 2.6.18.2-34 installed. To update to 2.6.19.2, I'd need to revert the patches to make it back to 2.6.18 and then install the patches 2.6.19, and 2.6.19.1 and 2.6.19.2. Have I got it right?

[Juan Pablo]

Are you talking about vanilla kernels? If so, you don't need to patch the kernel to get a new stable version, you can simply download the full one from kernel.org
And regarding to your earlier question:
You can always backup your current kernel sources before patching, another good precaution is to create a new GRUB entry instead of replacing your actual one.
Don't delete the old binary!! Just copy the new bzImage besides the old one

Be aware that distribution kernels are not the same as kernel.org sources, they are very similar but not the same.

[felipe1982]

Thank you for replying.

• If I install a vanilla 2.6.19 kernel will I need to apply patches 2.6.19.1 and 2.6.19.2? I would like to have 2.6.19.2 eventually installed on my computer.
  
• If I install a vanilla 2.6.19 kernel, what will happen with the special patches that the SuSE team has added? How can I add those patches to 2.6.19.2?

Don't delete the old binary!! Just copy the new bzImage besides the old one

I'm afraid I don't understand what this means? Where is the 'binary'? What is bzImage and where is it located?

I'm sorry for all of these questions, but I'm just not confident enough to proceed with the limited information I've gleaned through man pages, README's and google. I really would like this to work as smoothly as possible. Your help is terrifically appreciated.
Thank you