Let’s do this!

To set the stage what we need before we start configuring our kernels like a boss. You’ll need some software requirements and Linux command line conventions (which, if you ask me, are pretty much the same thing). But hey, that’s just my opinion.

Anyway, let’s assume you already have your kernel source code downloaded from wherever you prefer to get it from. If not, go ahead and grab a copy now we’ll wait for you.

Now that you’re back, hardware configuration. You need to know what hardware you have like the back of your hand (or maybe even better). This is important because if you don’t configure your kernel correctly, it might not boot or work properly. And nobody wants a broken system, right?

So grab that handy-dandy hardware configuration sheet and let’s get started! We recommend using the classic pen and paper method to write down all of your hardware details this way you won’t lose any important information if something goes wrong with your computer. Trust us, it happens more often than you think.

Once you have a good understanding of what hardware you have, it’s time to compile your configured kernel! This is where the real fun begins. But before we do that, let me give you some advice: start by playing it safe and gradually eliminate unneeded drivers until you get a slim, working kernel. It’s easier going from big to smaller than the other way around.

Now that we have all of our bases covered, troubleshooting bugs in your kernel. If you built a vanilla kernel and find a bug (like some oops or panic), read the documentation and document your bug as thoroughly as possible. And if it’s a distro-patched kernel, use that distro’s bug reporting tools to report the issue. The maintainers will talk to upstream to solve the problem.

Closing thoughts: always keep a good working kernel and config file handy in order to save yourself some time and energy. A good custom kernel will often give you a more responsive system, especially if you use a general purpose distro that includes almost every kernel driver conceivable. Good luck!