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Description
Linux kernel can sometimes cause performance problems such as slow or no booting, hanging up during boot or slow performance during normal operation. The performance issue can affect both Single Board Computers (SBC) or desktop computers and workstations which have greater than 1GB memory installed.
Resolution
If the steps outlined in article i024825 do not work then use the following 30 step process to rebuild the kernel and potentially fix the issue.
This is a permanent fix for systems with 1GB RAM or greater (i.e. The 5565 board fails to map when calling RFM2gOpen() or the computer boots slowly or hangs during booting ).
The kernel needs to be rebuilt to fix a problem that limits the amount of virtual resources the kernel is allowed to have.
Step by Step Instructions
Housekeeping
1. cd /usr/src/linux-2.4
2. vi Makefile
3. Change the text following "EXTRAVERSION =" to something you will recognize at boot time (ie BIGRAM)
4. Save the file.
Edit kernel source:
5. cd /usr/src/linux-2.4/include/asm-i386
6. vi page.h
7. Look for __VMALLOC_RESERVE
8. edit this line and replace 128 with 256
9. save the file
Configure the kernel:
10. cd /usr/src/linux-2.4
11. make mrproper
12. run either of these:
make xconfig (if you have X windows running)
make menuconfig (From a command line)
13. select "Processor type and features"
14. Make sure High "Memory Support" is enabled
15. Within there select "4GB"
16. save and exit.
Build the kernel
17. make dep
18. make clean
19. make bzImage
20. make modules
21. make modules_install
22. make install
Check installation:
23. cd /boot
24. ls
25. you should see:
initrd-kernel-XXXX.img
System.map-kernel-XXXX
vmlinuz-kernel-XXXX
where XXXX is kernel version you customized in step 3 above.
26. cd grub
27. vi grub.conf
28. make sure you see on option for the kernel version you customized in step 3 above.
29. close the file
Try it out:
30. reboot and select the kernel image you just built.