Madgoat1979

Ok,


Im using 9.2 mandrake now... and one thing is making me angry.... It has a problem with Io-APIC...


My windows run it, but now I have to turn it off to boot linux.... Its a pisser when I have to go into the bios every time to enable-disable it all the time....


I hear that the 2.6 kernel has IO-APIC enabled.... If so.... how would I go about installing it??

Or is there a way to enable IO-APIC on my current kernel??



Thanks,

MG

__________________

rogeld

What you will have to do to enable APIC if it isn't in the kernel by default is recompile it. Go to kernel.org first and download the full 2.6 kernel.

tar -jxvf it into /usr/src

go into the kernel directory and type make menuconfig

You will have to poke around in there and find it as I cant' remember exactly where it is, though it will be under power options. Also take the chance to get rid of anything that you don't need/use in the kernel and make sure that frame pointers are disabled unless you really need them as it will speed up the kernel a bit. Preemptive mode is also quite nice. After you are done, save and exit the menuconfig and type

make clean

then type

make

it will take some time to compile the kernel so go have a beer or two.
after that is done, type

make modules
and then
make modules_install

after that is all finito, go into /arch/i386/boot and copy the bzImage to /boot
edit your lilo.conf to reflect the new kernel, though don't replace the current entry just make a new one until you are sure the kernel works fine, and reboot. Test the new kernel by selecting the entry you made. I am assuming you use lilo but since I am guessing mandrake uses grub, you are on your own as I detest grub I know this is a really rough and kinda on your own guide but if you are any bit familiar with the underbelly of linux, you should do pretty good. Good luck to you and post back if you have any problems and I will do what I can to help you out.

rogeld

Oh and quick note, sorry for not putting this before, but you can also recompile your current kernel but the 2.6 is quite delicious and ... here let me just put up a link to a 2.4X compile faq. http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/202/1/ that should also be a better guide since I am sure I forgot something. Good luck again!

Madgoat1979

Very good....


So the 2.6 is worth getting huh? Is buggy at all.. I know most of the kernels are a bit buggy on their first release...


Also, It all a bit confusing.... I might need some more coaching on the recompile and install... I want to use the 2.6 but I want to be able to USE it when Im done... hehe....


Im sure Im not that capable with linux yet.... (I would like to be... as the little experience with It has shown me that its a awsome OS!)


Thanks... but maybe your could lead me in a direction of a how to for installing a kernel?


MG

__________________

Madgoat1979

also, could you lead my in the right direction for a Imtermediate linux "bible" per say book?? I would llike to be able to reference these sort of things off hand....


Thanks...


MG

__________________

Malus

It's worth getting. I used to use the beta kernels (when I used to use Linux) and they worked well. Can't see why the final release wouldn't.

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rogeld

http://www.linux.org/books/ISBN_0764539388.html This book should be pretty good since Mandrake is based off of Red Hat. I can't find any recent Mandrake specific books so this was the closest I could get. Also, look for Linux in a Nutshell series books and the Unleashed series. Not sure how recent either book is, but, they are still dandy references.

Madgoat1979

I downloaded 2.4.23 kernel.... I thought maybe I would have as much trouble with a 2.4 kernel upgrade istead of a whoe .6 over haul...

I got apic going.... and took out all the not needed stuff...


BUT! My sound card wont work in apic mode... I turn apic off, and it works fine...


Is there something else I need to config for the sys to use apic correctly?


thanks a LOT for all the help... (and I have the bible on route to my house )



MG

__________________

rogeld

Sound is always a pretty touchy issue in Linux and it can be a battle lasting days to get it working if you have obscure hardware. Are there kernel level drivers for your soundcard? Also, does your soundcard manufactuer offer linux drivers? Since there always tends to be a little discrepency between cards, especially in linux, some things that may work fine for me may not for you especially since I am lucky enough to have kernel level drivers that are ready but a compile away. Hmm...did you compile ALSA and your drivers as modules or kernel level? I had more problems with them in kernel instead of module form so that could be something you could try if it applies to you. Where are all the linux experts out there with more experience?

Madgoat1979

I compiled them as modules, they seemed to had problems with kernel base....

I have a shitty sb16 ensonic es1370 sound card in there now for compatibility... The kernel source has driver for it directly.. I see them in the menuconfig...

But As module is the ONLY way they seem to work... But with apic they dont... When apic is off, they work fine...

I think its a irq problem.... But have NO IDEA how to go about looking the fix...

it seems to load and everything, kmix loads and everything, no errors pop up in KDE, but I dont know what to look for on start up to see if it is not booting on lkernel load...


anyway, I also have a problem, (that desnt effect anything Im doing) but its seems to show a red "not loaded" sighn at the begining about some fs partition... cant get it loaded for some reason, (another apic dependant problem... I turn it off, and it goes away)....


im searching the web, but people always just "Diable" it... seems to be the answer to it all, but I need apic for usb and what not....


anyone out there with some knowledge about this????


thanks again for the feedback!!!


MG

__________________

rogeld

Got me stumped with that one, sorry I can't be of much help. I suggest posting on this board as it is really geared towards problem solving and there are a ton of knowledgeable people there that are very helpful. http://www.linuxquestions.org/ Good luck and I hope you get it fixed. Linux is far more enjoyable once you can get a custom compile working right, have fun!

Madgoat1979

custom compiling?



Is this an easier way of compiling kernels?? or you mean just getting better at it?


(I think I have it down... I just make a "workbench" folder... and config everything there.... then install from that folder.... that way I keep track of all my .config files... and can move from were I last left off...)


Anyhoo.... I will post over there....

And if you could just tell me, Im running 2.4.23 (the latest of the 2.4 kernel...) But should I upgrade to 2.6?? I know there are a lot of fixes there.... Is it worth it?? What about compatability??


thanks,
MG

__________________

Madgoat1979

how do you use the "make install" command?


Is this easier than moving the bzimage ?? or is it a different thing than what Im thinking?



Im having a go at installing 2.6... (guess you dont need to use "make dep" now?? It told me it wasnt needed anymore)


MG

__________________

Madgoat1979

its amazing how many people are getting APIC mixed up with ACPI!!!! Even the "guru's" that are allknowing...

Looking all over the forums, people begin asking about APIC, then some know-it-all ends up leading them tward the ACPI contoller... Haha...


They might be related... but they are not the same thing... One I know (APIC) deals with irq routing, and the other (ACPI) deals with power managment. If they have any relation with eachother... I dont know... But, my problem isnt ACPI.... my power managment is working fine in linux....



"A-P-I-C" is the problem... hehe, I keep searching the net and laughing as many people have my same problem... but keep being told that its "ACPI"


MG

__________________

rogeld

Yeah, you won't need the make dep command. Make install isn't needed either, all you have to do is copy the compiled bzImage over to /boot and setup your bootloader to reflect the change. 2.6 is easier to compile though that doesn't make it any less testy

UberLord

Really, you only need APIC when using more than one processor. Otherwise, don't use it!

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Madgoat1979

I understand...


BUT

I have my Windows install using it...

So I would have to set APIC to OFF, evertime I wanted to boot linux...


Its a pisser....

I was trying to avoid reinstalling windows...


I got APIC to work with any kernel above 2.4.10.... But I still have issues with IRQ routing....


Guess, I will just turn APIC off for both systems, and play it that way....


(I had a BIG fall out when installing the 2.6 kernel... Didnt like it, Got it running, but lots of problems...)


MG

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rogeld

If it is going to be that much of a hassle to put it on your main box, I say shelve it until you need to format your other disk and do it all from a clean slate as there will just be so many fewer problems or if you are fortunate enough to have an old spare comp around, use that instead for linux so you can at least get a feel for it. Sorry to hear you had problems with 2.6 though.

Madgoat1979

Yeah,

Im liking Linux more and more... even when Im messing with it to fix it, I end up walking away AMAZED by it ability!

I think I'll fix windows up with a NO APIC install, and redo Linux with a 2.4.23 kernel.... (I had problems with the "Super Mount" function in mandrake with the 2.6 kernel... I think I will wait till they come out with a 2.6 kernel with super mount included"

And thanks for all help here though, I learned a LOT! and am now infatuated with linux...



MG

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rogeld

Super mount itself is built into the kernel and what it sounds like you did was just not compile it in. Make sure you check every menu and when it doubt, look at the help and see if it is recommended.

Madgoat1979

I looked into everything...


I didnt see it anywhere....


Though I dont doubt I might have missed it...

also, Is there any graphic upgrades I could do... Im using Nvidias new drivers...

They seem to work well, The only thing I have to base graphics off of is Tux Racer... hehe

But It seems to me that not all the API's are being used...


but everything else works great (as far as graphics...)


thanks,
MG

__________________

rogeld

Well if you are using the latest NVidia drivers, there is not much else you can do there if they installed correctly. Pretty much stuck on that until there is an update.