Recommended Kernel For The MSI Wind U100

Question

Hi folks,
I am currently running the -ck kernel, the same as I have on my laptop, but I am currently thinking that a more specialised kernel may give me better performance on my MSI Wind U100 netbook. I reckon that the Aspire One kernel may fit the bill because of the similar hardware, but I wanted to hear about anyone's experience with this kernel (or any other) on the Wind. Recommendations welcome!
Cheers,
scott

Answer 1

To the nutshell: Seems we understand, great
Regarding the defaults:
Well most of the kernel options have a little help text associated that *may* give an idea what it's about... But I guess you rather look for a good place to start.
You could either use the config of your running kernel: look inside /proc/config.gz. Or you could start with the one that comes with the AUR. If you already run the -ck kernel now, you unknowingly used the config it provides and the above will be the same of course.
I still recommend kernel26-ice with enabled -bfs patch but I guess -ck will in the end use the same scheduler...? Whatever
So in -ck look for this section:
# get kernel version
make prepare
# load configuration
# Configure the kernel. Replace the line below with one of your choice.
#make menuconfig # CLI menu for configuration
#make xconfig # X-based configuration
#make oldconfig # using old config from previous kernel version
# ... or manually edit .config
# stop here
# this is useful to configure the kernel
#msg "Stopping build"
#return 1
Activate "load configuration" (hopefully that uses /proc/config.gz automatically) and either "menuconfig" or "xconfig" so you later get a menu/gui to edit that file.
The commented "stop here" part irritates me, though... I would think the msg and return 1 line should be uncommented as well but - not sure at the moment. Try it, you will see if it stops building while you see the config. It should do...
In -ice-kernel you'd look for
### User/Environment defined variables
bfs_scheduler=${bfs_scheduler:-0}
enable_fastboot=${enable_fastboot:-0}
keep_source_code=${keep_source_code:-0}
menuconfig=${menuconfig:-0}
realtime_patch=${realtime_patch:-0}
use_config_gz=${use_config_gz:-0}
enable_reiser4=${enable_reiser4:-0}
and replace "0" with "1" for bfs_scheduler, menuconfig and use_config_gz and maybe also enable_fastboot.
(optionally look for something like this:
# configure kernel
if [ "$menuconfig" = "1" ]; then
make menuconfig ## <-- this one
fi
yes "" | make config
and replace the "make menuconfig" with "make xconfig"or whatever. I prefer gconfig)
Save the PKGBUILD and run makepkg
After some downloading, extracting and patching you should finally SEE the menu/gui. Tada.
To make sure you can now load the config file you saved above but it *should* allready be done...
Now look at "General Setup->Local Version". The -ck kernel will most likely say -ck there, standard arch says -ARCH. It may be wise to give your kernel a uniqe name so you don't overwrite your working one... (Remember to add an entry for it in /boot/grub/menu.lst to be able to start it later.) You will need to take care of updates manually then, though. 
And at last:  "Processor-type and features" seems to be the most interesting region for you
(For the other options - well there are LOTS of them. Some will also influence performance.... So I guess best advice is take your time and only fiddle with options you understand.)
If you are done save the setting and exit the program. Now "the real work" should start. If you do it on the netbook - you will probably need SOME patience for that too!
When it's done install the kernel with pacman -U </patch/to/directory/where/I/just/build/the/kernel.tar.gz
If you changed menu.lst you can select YOUR kernel on next boot and try if it does what it should.
Good look
Oh and you may need to (re)install some modules for graphic cards, wifi or whatever for this kernel too...
[Edit: Me needs antiverbose-switch! just wanted to give a *short* answer:) ]
Last edited by MAroco (2010-02-25 21:14:25)