topic Re: ramdisk in Operating System - Linux

ramdisk

Nobody's Hero — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 12:53:06 GMT

When I run mondoarchive I get the following message.

Your kernel has no ramdisk support. That's mind-numbingly stupid but I'll allow it if you're planning to use a failsafe kernel. Are you?

How do I get ramdisk support into my kernel?

Re: ramdisk

Mark Grant — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 13:42:24 GMT

Robert,

You're going to have to build a new kernel. THe option you need to add is CONFIG_BLK_DEV_RAM which is sitting under the "Block devices" section if you use one of the "GUI" configuration tools.

If you have never done a kernel compilation before it's not tough and goes something like this (directories may change a bit for Red Hat because they haven't a clue how to design a unix system but anyway)

become root

# export DISPLAY=:0

# cd /usr/src/linux (or where ever it is in Red Hat these days)

# make xconfig

navigate around until you find the bit you want change (I'd recommend not having it as module support)

change it to "y"

save and exit

# make dep

# make bzImage

# make modules

# make modules_install

# cp /boot/System.map /boot/system.map.prev

# cp /boot/vmlinuz /boot/vmlinuz.prev

# cp arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz

# cp System.map /boot/System.map

edit /etc/lilo.conf or grub.conf to include a n entry for your backup kernel image (vmlinuz.prev) or forget this if you like living dangerously

run either lilo or grup as required

# cross fingers

# re-boot

Re: ramdisk

Huc_1 — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 13:44:56 GMT

Tell about each step would be long,and not very usefull since you can access this info at the following link

http://www.europe.redhat.com/documentation/HOWTO/JavaStation-HOWTO/kernelbuildchapter.php3

you need to look for the CONFIG_BLK_DEV_RAM in your kernel configuration file, this should be set to y

CONFIG_BLK_DEV_RAM=y

Tell us about you progress.

J-P

Re: ramdisk

Nobody's Hero — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 15:42:30 GMT

Thanks Mark,

Worked great. Real help you provided. Much appreciated. I had to add in VFAT also. everything is fine now.

10x

Re: ramdisk

Mark Grant — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 15:53:07 GMT

Glad it was useful Robert. You are always likely to get good attention in here because you always seem to assign points promptly. Those points allow other people with similar problems to judge the value of the answers you get and that's what it's about.

P.S. I was kind of concerned that you might have missed the "lilo" bit out as it wasn't too clear. Forget that bit and your machine won't boot (assuming you use lilo of course).

Regards