I'm having all sorts of minor issues with my box - dvd rom drive not always reading (reporting as bad sectors and aborting rips), network dropping etc..

So - I thought I'd like to try to update to a more current linux kernel to see if that helps any..

I've got most of the way to installing it - but

1) The proc filesystem doesn't get mounted automatically
2) The network doesn't come up automatically
(i need to ifup eth0)
3) the nvidia driver wont compile (means the screen cycles whilst trying to load X)

Alternatively, is there a current "howto" for a kernel compilation/installation ?


TIA

Searching the Wiki produces: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=KernelUpgradeHowTo

Not to second-guess you, but why do you think a Kernel upgrade would fix the problems you mention?

The DVD read issue sounds like bad hardware, maybe firmware, and the Ethernet dropping sounds like a driver issue. Unless there is a new driver for one/both that is incompatible with your current Kernel, I would suggest updating the modules and leaving the Kernel alone...

I've tried 2 DVD drives - same problem with both of them (my first thought was hardware, but having two different drives with the same issue is unlikely).
The machine has SATA hard drives, and IDE dvd drives, if that makes a difference - they 'mostly' work then drop when ripping..


As for upgrading the modules - that was pretty much my thoughts for trying this..
But unless I'm missing something - where do I get a new set of modules without a new kernel ?

Hmm, Sounds like Copy Protection, ARcoSS comes to mind. If that's the case then the official, legal answer is, "You're out of luck." -- Even Pineapples aren't 100%. **Cough** google **Cough** Sorry I can't help more.

The basic process is dl the sources from the driver maintainer, build it against your current headers, rmmod the old driver, modprobe to install the new driver.
If you know the name of your driver, (e.g. forcedeth) do a google search for the name and you'll find the maintainer. Follow their instructions. I've never had to do this on KM. Search for "kernel headers" and you'll find the specifics.