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Kernel 2.4.17 Out

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the download-compile-reboot-repeat dept.

ThatComputerGuy writes "Linux kernel 2.4.17 is final, with a lot of fixes/updates. Check out the huge changelog. If you're on a desktop machine, you should try using RML's preempt patch, it definitely helps response times."

5 of 350 comments (clear)

  1. It appears to actually be fixes by Anthony+Boyd · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It looks like we're actually seeing 99% bug fixes this time around, rather than new features being added. Yay for having a 2.5 branch, it seems to be getting the experimental code now. This may be the first 2.4 kernel I compile for my system (I'm not saying I'm still stuck in 2.2, just that I've kept the default 2.4 kernels from my Mandrake and SuSE installs). I also see a couple ext3 fixes, which means I'm pretty comfortable having this replace the patched-to-use-ext3 2.4.10 kernel in my SuSE 7.3 box.

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  2. Re:VIA KT133 chipset? by MikeO · · Score: 5, Informative

    A bios upgrade fixed the problem for me. Look for an update on your motherboard vendor's website.

  3. Re:Wait for Final Preempt patch by signe · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, there is a final 2.4.17 patch, but it's not on the page linked to. Go to
    http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/rm l/ preempt-kernel/v2.4/ and grab it from there (or use a mirror).

    -Todd

    --
    "The details of my life are quite inconsequential..."
  4. Re:Instability with the preempt patch? by KnightStalker · · Score: 5, Informative

    I had similar problems with 2.4.14 and the kernel preemption patch, but I'm running it against 2.4.16 right now with spectacular results. I can play a DVD full screen when the system load (i/o bound) is greater than 3 on my single-Athlon 900. No skips, pops, jumps, anything. Smooth as silk.

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  5. Re:Instability with the preempt patch? by Spoing · · Score: 5, Informative
    Make sure that any kernel modules you load are SMP-safe. While the preempt patch does not magically make a uni-processor system into a multi-processor, it does create an environment where modules that aren't SMP-safe tend to fail or act unusually.

    Rule of thumb: If it's in the base kernel sources, you're OK. If it's a patch to the kernel sources, be careful but not overly concerned. If it's a pre-compiled binary (even if only in part), be very cautious. Remember: Google is your friend.

    Example: The Alcatel external USB DSL modem, for example, has a binary part that isn't fully SMP-safe. Because of that, it can't be used with the preempt patch even on a system with a single main CPU.

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