Learning how to build my own linux kernel

The kernel sources come with configuration scripts. As root, try this:

cd /usr/src/linux
zcat /proc/config.gz > .config  # Copies the Linode config to the source tree for you to base your own config off of
make oldconfig  # Asks you about configuration options that may not have been covered by the older kernel version
make menuconfig

Once you're in menuconfig, press / to search for a configuration option.

@retrograde inversion:

The kernel sources come with configuration scripts. As root, try this:

cd /usr/src/linux
zcat /proc/config.gz > .config  # Copies the Linode config to the source tree for you to base your own config off of
make oldconfig  # Asks you about configuration options that may not have been covered by the older kernel version
make menuconfig

Once you're in menuconfig, press / to search for a configuration option.

Ah, the "/" tip is cool. Thanks!

And after messing with this config "nonsense" for a couple of hours, I am beginning to get it. Thanks mate!

Stuck at the make install step…

Reference - http://serverfault.com/questions/383286 … o-now-what">http://serverfault.com/questions/383286/compiling-linux-kernel-make-install-asks-for-lilo-now-what

You can ignore that message. The kernel image has been copied to /boot/vmlinuz, and now you can configure pv-grub (if you haven't already).