Re: [gentoo-user] new genkernel problem

[Dale]

Neil Bothwick wrote:
> On Sat, 6 Jun 2020 11:34:28 -0500, Dale wrote:
>
>>>> From what I've read, I like my way better.  I did have to change the
>>>> names from bzimage* to kernel* but other than that, I can use the
>>>> naming method I've used for years and keep the good kernels I want.
>>> make install names the kernels vmlinuz-$VERSION, and updates a
>>> symlink to vmlinuz if one exists.
>> But sometimes I have more than one of the same version.  I add a -1, -2,
>> -3 etc to them as I go.  From my understanding, make install doesn't do
>> that.  I do and with good reason. It seems make install won't accomplish
>> what I do by hand.
> There's a kernel option that does that automatically, LOCALVERSION I
> think, but it's years since I've needed to touch it.

But if it changes how it works and I don't know it, that could cause
problems.  It could even remove something I don't want removed.  If I do
it myself, I know what is done and don't remove anything I don't want to
lose. Even the make commands change between kernels at times.  I suspect
make install has changes too.  I don't want to have to track kernel
changes just to know if I can use make install and still get what I have
now. 


>
>>>> My biggest problem, getting the dracut command options right.  If I
>>>> didn't need dracut, I'd be in heaven. 
>>> If you have a plain setup, dracut shouldn't need any options.
>> I don't have a plain setup tho nor do I really want that setup.
> You don't boot from an encrypted drive (yet) or use unusual hardware,
> that's what I meant by a plain system. Dracut handles booting from a a
> btrfs root on a LUKS encrypted block device here with no fancy
> configuration. It really is impressive the way it figures so much out for
> itself.
>

What I meant was, I don't use make install because I do things
differently than make install does.  It's not "plain" in that regard. 


>> I like
>> having backup kernels and my own numbering system.  It has worked for me
>> for decades, ever since I started using Gentoo and building my own
>> kernels.  I don't see any point in changing what works unless I can
>> streamline what I'm already getting with the results I expect.  If I
>> could get rid of the init thingy, I would have zero issues with my
>> method.  It's dracut that causes the issues. We all know how much I
>> dislike init thingys tho.  ;-)  That said, dracut hasn't failed me in a
>> while.  If it can't build correctly, it does spit out it failed.  It's
>> been a while since the init thingy it creates has failed as well.  So,
>> at least there is that. 
> I use a shell script to compile and install the kernel, build the
> initramfs and then update the bootloader. It means the process is always
> executed consistently and I only have to remember one command :)
>
>


Well, we know my scripting ability isn't anywhere near that advanced. 
Claiming I can do a basic script is a stretch.  ROFL  When I do it
manually, I get consistent results to and I know what steps were taken
to get there.  My only problem is recalling the options for dracut. 

Dale

:-)  :-)