By a show of flippers, how many of you use make xconfig vs make menuconfigv when compiling your kernel ?

tuxthegreat · 11-03-2023, 12:49 PM

I was just pondering how many of you use the old school method of make manuconfig in cli terminal vs the newer generation of guys who use graphical interface to make xconfig their custom kernel ? I like the xconfig method because it lays out for me all the new possibilities I can add onto the kernel in a nice graphical environment. I learned how to do this when I would compile my own kernels for Ubuntu 6.06 LTS because they were missing a few modules for my webcam and my other peripheral devices. I know the old school guys still swear by make menuconfig and they won't change anytime soon. I prefer this method

Code:

make oldconfig && \
make xconfig && \
make && \
make modules && \
make install && \
make modules_install

It opens up a nice big screen with all the new kernel features for gpus, sound cards etc etc. So who uses what and why ?

business_kid · 11-03-2023, 01:14 PM

I use menuconfig because I prefer the larger type, and it's easier (or was) to find the help.

jayjwa · 11-03-2023, 01:57 PM

Code:

zcat /proc/config.gz > /usr/src/linux/.config
make oldconfig
make menuconfig
make 
make modules_install

Do the rest by hand and update Grub. Sometimes I like to check stuff with 'menuconfig', else I skip this step. I'm used to the 'menuconfig' style but I've used 'nconfig' and 'xconfig' before. Usually I don't have root running X.

hazel · 11-03-2023, 02:46 PM

Always menuconfig for me.

tuxthegreat · 11-03-2023, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjwa

Code:

zcat /proc/config.gz > /usr/src/linux/.config
make oldconfig
make menuconfig
make 
make modules_install

Do the rest by hand and update Grub. Sometimes I like to check stuff with 'menuconfig', else I skip this step. I'm used to the 'menuconfig' style but I've used 'nconfig' and 'xconfig' before. Usually I don't have root running X.

I update grub after the kernel is installed, before I reboot into the new kernel otherwise I would run into problems, I do

Code:

 sudo-s

Code:

 update-initramfs -c -k 6.6.0-CUSTOM

And then I do

Code:

 update-grub

And to verify after the reboot I check if kernel is installed I do

Code:

 sudo uname -mrs
Linux 6.6.0-CUSTOM x86_64

smallpond · 11-03-2023, 02:52 PM

I've always used menuconfig because I've mostly built in ssh sessions on headless servers. I just tried xconfig and it looks good. Thanks for the suggestion!

tuxthegreat · 11-03-2023, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallpond

I've always used menuconfig because I've mostly built in ssh sessions on headless servers. I just tried xconfig and it looks good. Thanks for the suggestion!

Yeah I do it in ssh via iterm from my Macbook from time to time but that's risky cause you aren't there in person so if you mess up on an iptables rule and you lock yourself out of the server (I've done that too many times too count) you can't fix it on the fly.

zeebra · 11-14-2023, 08:55 AM

What is xconfig? Sounds like something to do with Xorg..

Tested it just now, and I don't like the look of it compared to menuconfig. Ncurses is hot and just works, and you don't need a desktop for it either, quite frankly I think it looks prettier than xconfig too.

Some people just edit .config by hand in an editor too. Anyways, I find that menuconfig strikes a perfect balance, and I don't want to be without it, but I could manage without it too. There is the interactive option, but it's kind of annoying, because you kind of have to go through every single item (unless you specify a way not to) one by one, so it feels kind of claustrophobic.

hazel · 11-14-2023, 09:06 AM

I think a lot of people don't like menuconfig because the user interface is a bit clunky. You have to know or work out which keys to use, whereas with xconfig, you just use your mouse.

zeebra · 11-15-2023, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

I think a lot of people don't like menuconfig because the user interface is a bit clunky. You have to know or work out which keys to use, whereas with xconfig, you just use your mouse.

Hah, that reminds me of how I feel with VI(M)