Debian Kernel

So after describing the difficult way of patching and installing a kernel that suits the aero and installing pcmcia: Now the explanation for debian users:

1.

Go to my debian directory and download all seven files to a new folder on the aero.

2.

Change to that folder and command

"dpkg --install *.deb"

3.

Installing kernel_image

There will be an "Unresolved symbols"-error of depmod for the three pcmcia-modules: 8390.o, fmvj18x_cs.o and smc91c92_cs.

This is because I used versioned symbol names in my kernel-configuration, which has some advantages for loading and unloading modules. So AFAIK that's no bug, it's a feature. ;-) In the install process, because of this "error" you will be prompted to abort installation. Don't do this - say "No" to that question.

You also will be asked if you want to install lilo: Don't do this. Say "No" if asked if dpkg should install a boot-block. Say "No" if it asks you if it should wipe out the old lilo.conf and if it should make a new one.

Configuring lilo

Instead, if you wish to use lilo: configure lilo per hand after the installation:

First change to the "/boot"-directory and point the symlinks "System.map" to "System.map-2.4.26-aero.2" and "vmlinuz" to "vmlinuz-2.4.26-aero.2". Change to "/" and do the same for the "vmlinuz"-symlink there.

Then edit /etc/lilo.conf and insert the line:

append="badram=0x010d0000,0xffff8000"

in the appropriate section of the newly installed kernel, so bad ram-addresses will be excluded.

So the section of the new kernel in "/etc/lilo.conf" will look something like this:

image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.26-aero.2
    label=linux
    read-only
    append="badram=0x010d0000,0xffff8000"
    root=/dev/hda13

Don't forget to run lilo afterwards to save your changes to the master boot record.

If you don't use lilo, make sure to append these settings at the start of linux.

For instance with loadlin give a command like this (of course with the "root"-command according to your own partitions):

c:\loadlin\loadlin.exe c:\loadlin\vmlinuz root=30d badram=0x010d0000,0xffff8000

That's all. :-)

The custom-kernel will be called 2.4.26-aero.# while # is the my version number for updated custom-kernels. It is patched with badram and openwall. All settings were successfully used on an Compaq Contura Aero 4/25 with a debian stable (woody) system in May 2004. All files were compiled on the aero itself. See the description of these files below for more information.

Have fun!
Uli

Description of the debian kernel-files

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