Compiling and Installing a Custom Kernel on Arch Linux

In this tutorial, we'll go through the process of compiling and installing a custom kernel on an Artix Arch Linux-based system. We'll be using the Arch Linux package manager pacman, make for compiling, and grub for bootloader configuration.

Step 1: Preparation

First, let's prepare our system for kernel compilation.

uname -mrs        

This command displays system information, including the current kernel version.

mkdir new_kernel
cd new_kernel        

Create a new directory called new_kernel and navigate into it.

Step 2: Installing Necessary Packages

We need some packages to aid in the compilation process.

pacman -S bc
pacman -S lynx        

Install bc, a basic calculator, and lynx, a text-based web browser.

Step 3: Downloading the Kernel Source

We'll download the desired kernel source from kernel.org .

lynx kernel.org        

Navigate to kernel.org using lynx and download the desired kernel source. Once downloaded, extract it using:

tar -xvf linux-5.19.9.tar.xz
cd linux-5.19.9        

Not : Download Latest STABLE version.

Step 4: Configuring the Kernel

Now, let's configure the kernel before compilation.

make mrproper
lynx is.am/56er
mv config-rev-9-gold .config
make nconfig
        

This series of commands cleans the kernel source, moves the configuration file, and opens the configuration interface.

Step 5: Compiling the Kernel

Compile the kernel and its modules.

make
make modules
make modules_install
        

Step 6: Copying Kernel Image

Copy the compiled kernel image to the boot directory.

cp -v arch/x86/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz-linux_hocus_pocus
        

Step 7: Generating Initramfs

Generate the initial RAM file system.

mkinitcpio -k 5.19.9 -g /boot/initramfs-linux_hocus_pocus.img        

The command mkinitcpio -k 5.19.9 -g /boot/initramfs-linux_hocus_pocus.img is used to generate an initial RAM filesystem (initramfs) image for the Linux kernel. Here’s a breakdown of what each part of the command does:

1. mkinitcpio: This is a tool used in Arch Linux and its derivatives to create an initramfs image. An initramfs is a temporary root file system loaded into memory when the system boots, which contains necessary drivers and scripts to mount the real root file system.
2. -k 5.19.9: This specifies the version of the kernel for which the initramfs is being created. In this case, it is version 5.19.9. You need to have this kernel version installed on your system.
3. -g /boot/initramfs-linux_hocus_pocus.img: This specifies the output file for the generated initramfs image. The image will be saved to /boot/initramfs-linux_hocus_pocus.img.

Step 8: Updating Bootloader Configuration

Update the GRUB bootloader configuration.

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg        

The command grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg is used to generate a new GRUB configuration file. Here’s a breakdown of what it does and why you would use it:

Command Breakdown:

• grub-mkconfig: This command generates a GRUB configuration file based on the scripts and settings in /etc/grub.d/ and /etc/default/grub.
• -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg: This option specifies the output file for the generated configuration. Typically, the GRUB configuration file is located at /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

Step 9: Reboot and Select New Kernel

Reboot the system and select the new kernel from the boot menu.

reboot        

Choose the advanced option for Artix Linux and select the newly compiled kernel.

Step 10: Verify Installation

Finally, login to the system and verify the installation.

uname -mrs        

Congratulations! You have successfully compiled and installed a custom kernel on your Arch Linux-based system.

More Tech Sorcery..

Comprehensive Guide to Booting Artix on a UEFI-Enabled Virtual Machine #Part1

Comprehensive Guide to Booting Artix on a UEFI-Enabled Virtual Machine #Part2

Compiling the Linux kernel:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Kernel/Traditional_compilation

Config File:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11VYZx11F7asr3h-_1hum0ng7nimIH4IN/view?usp=sharing

More Information about Arch Linux Repositories:

????????https://wiki.artixlinux.org/Main/Repositories

extra, community and multilib would be sufficient

More Resources:

If you are unable to boot into the kernel then kindly refer to the blog post ?here:

https://cool-dev.in/posts/Fixing-Non-Booting-Kernel-Based-On-Custom-Config/

If you are unable to download Artix config file from the drive ?then you can download it from here as well:

https://github.com/gopi487krishna/ArtixConfig.git ?(Select the ‘config-rev-9-gold’ config file and click on Raw?button to get the link)

Please read manual pages for the system calls and functions required.