okay

[motely36]

can someone please explain to me what the hell a kernel is?

Everyone keeps telling me to change my kernel, but I don't even know where to find it.

I finally gave up and went back to Windows, but after this semester when my class is over I would really like to try again.

Help!!!

[Renew Deal]

1. This should explain it.

[motely36]

2. I knew even before I posted that that was coming

LOL

[Renew Deal]

3. So, has the smart ass forum been created yet?

:+

[qnr]

4. Think about a seed, it is wrapped around the kernel....

It's the "core" of the Linux operating system (GNL/Linux, actually).

snipped from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel

The term "kernel" properly refers to the low-level system software that provides a hardware abstraction layer, disk and filesystem control, multi-tasking, load-balancing, networking and security enforcement. A kernel is not a complete operating system (as the term is usually understood). A complete system built around the Linux kernel is commonly known as the Linux operating system, although some prefer to call the system GNU/Linux and there is some controversy on the point. People often confuse the kernel with the operating system, leading to many mistaken notions, e.g. the idea that Torvalds wrote or coordinates other parts of the system than the kernel.

You can find it at /usr/src/linux (this is actually a symlink to the currently installed kernel - but most references will be to it).

[MazeRat7]

5. LMAO...

Given a technical explanation would take too much typing... the pic was the next best option... *grin

Welcome.

MZr7

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Only very serious, rare problems require fudging with kernel.

The kernel is the part that deals with (among other things) disk formats and peripheral support. You may need to upgrade the kernel if, for instance, Linux doesn't recognize a SATA disk.

But even in that case, a good part of the problems is solved by doing the "normal" system-wide update (apt-get upgrade, yum update, RHN etc).

What was the problem you had that prompted this response from people?

[motely36]

7. Originally, I was trying to boot from my external hard drive

I tried lots of different things, but couldn't get it to work.

Then found out that my laptop would not allow me to do that.

It just seems I see lots of stuff out there about messing with the kernal and all this other stuff that makes me nervous to make the jump to linux.

And I'm a computer science major in grad school. And I still don;t understand this stuff.

Hopefully, when things slow down I will have more time to mess with it.

[qnr]

8. Just take it at your own pace.

You will be able to do the majority of what needs to be done without touching the kernel. The first three or four times you fiddle with it you'll feel intimidated, but really, it's not that bad. Sure, there are thousands of options - however, they're pretty well organized, and you can find the area you need to modify without much effort, and generally you can ignore the other areas.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. This thread is just for you:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=240x26

OK, not JUST for you, but you'll find it quite helpful.

[motely36]

10. I don't know if it's that or something else

but a coworker gave me a new version of linux that is on a single cd.

Haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. What's its name? (nt)

[motely36]

13. of course now i can't find it

I'll look for it later.

[MazeRat7]

12. Here is another link of "Live CD's"

Burn one and boot... then you can at least explore the operating system without making changes to your current system.

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Enjoy,

MZr7