I have a question ...

[ndemon]

regarding the new Kernel 2.4. I am a newbie to linux and want to know how difficult it would be upgrading the kernel as i just recently downloaded the Mandrake 7.2 iso and its kernel is 2.2.17. I don't know if i should upgrade but it should theoratically be better, no?

anyway, thanks for your time
ndemon

[Evil Jeff]

Compiling a new kernel can be a lot of work. Upgrading isn't so much work. It's even easier if you just upgrade to a new kernel image released by your distro.

Evil Jeff
www.hellincorporated.com (http://www.hellincorporated.com)

[ndemon]

is upgrading a kernel better than when u upgrade a win machine? meaning smoother. I usually do clean isntalls for win. Btw why is Mandrakes back at 2.2.17

[prince_kenshi]

Don't let the version numbers fool you. With Linux, 2.4 actually comes right after 2.2. They skip the odd numbered tenths. Actually I think they use it for something else, but you're kernel is not as old as you seem to think it is.

------------------
Prince Kenshi
Son of Bahamut

[Strike]

Kernel version numbering demystified:

given a version A.B.C

A = "major" version number, used only when big changes have taken place that merit it
B = "minor" version number, even numbers (0,2,4,6,8,10,etc) are considered "stable" kernels meaning tested and no known bugs, odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9,11,etc) are considered "unstable" or "development" kernels - these are more "bleeding edge", but are more error-prone.
C = patch-level, basically the release number of a certain type of kernel. For example, the first 2.4 kernel is 2.4.0. These can get rather high, I think 2.1 went up into the 100's.

[A_Lawn_GNOME]

Creating a kernel over the default one will give a minor speed boost because it is now configured for your machine.

It also gives you the option of participating in the occasional "My kernel is smaller than yours" contest (size works the other way here).

[ndemon]

so is mandrake 2.2.17 unstable because of the 17 ?

[mitzman]

nono, 2.2.17 is stable, 17 is the patch number of the kernel, if it was 2.3.17 it'd be unstable.

-d

[bdl]

Upgrading the kernel is something you *should* do as soon as you install your linux distro; having said that, it's obvious that newbies or those uncomfortable with tinkering under the hood can usually skip the process altogether unless there is a security risk with the installed kernel. V 2.2.17 is a pretty stable and functional kernel; the real benefit will be in upgrading to the *official* 2.4 kernel, which is supposedly coming out soon... http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/wink.gif Depending on your hardware you may always require a new kernel or have to compile modules to run your system, and it never hurts to learn how, anyway. Go ahead and grab the 2.4 prerelease and give it a go, you can always fall back on your currently installed kernel image if things go wrong (which, if you read the kernel how-to, it's pretty simple).
Enjoy http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/wink.gif

[Strike]

Originally posted by bdl:
the real benefit will be in upgrading to the *official* 2.4 kernel, which is supposedly coming out soon... http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/wink.gif

...

Go ahead and grab the 2.4 prerelease and give it a go

*ahem* ... check the LNO front page, 2.4 is out http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[ndemon]

as i am a true newbie to linux i will try to get use to running the kernal i have on the cd before trying to upgrade.
I believe everything i have is supported, if not i will have a dual boot with win98 anyway. sys is 2 years old so should be ok.

thanks for your time and help everyone, i probably wouldn't try linux if there wern't boards like this around