nALFS hangs while configuring kernel in chapter 8

[rodolfo@…]

During kernel config, if the kernel configuration has some unexisting symbol (in my case SIS190), the 'make oldconfig' make some questions that should be answered Y or N. But nALFS doesn't expect that and hangs. Here's the backtrace:

(gdb) bt #0 0x401167d8 in libc_read () from /lib/libpthread.so.0 #1 0x402aeba0 in ?? () from /lib/libncurses.so.5 #2 0x4028659e in wgetch () from /lib/libncurses.so.5 #3 0x40286533 in wgetch () from /lib/libncurses.so.5 #4 0x40285e3c in _nc_wgetch () from /lib/libncurses.so.5 #5 0x4028627e in wgetch () from /lib/libncurses.so.5 #6 0x0805979f in get_key () #7 0x0805b2d3 in browse () #8 0x0805cef4 in main ()

Here the last part of the log that is related to the above:

I: Executing in /usr/src/linux-2.6.7: I: make oldconfig -: HOSTCC scripts/basic/fixdep -: HOSTCC scripts/basic/split-include -: HOSTCC scripts/basic/docproc -: SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/zconf.tab.h -: HOSTCC scripts/kconfig/conf.o -: HOSTCC scripts/kconfig/mconf.o -: SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/zconf.tab.c -: SHIPPED scripts/kconfig/lex.zconf.c -: HOSTCC -fPIC scripts/kconfig/zconf.tab.o -: HOSTLLD -shared scripts/kconfig/libkconfig.so -: HOSTLD scripts/kconfig/conf -: scripts/kconfig/conf -o arch/i386/Kconfig -: .config:264: trying to assign nonexistent symbol IDEDISK_STROKE -: .config:337: trying to assign nonexistent symbol SCSI_REPORT_LUNS -: .config:427: trying to assign nonexistent symbol I2O_PCI -: .config:633: trying to assign nonexistent symbol SIS190 -: .config:667: trying to assign nonexistent symbol RCPCI -: .config:1297: trying to assign nonexistent symbol INTERMEZZO_FS -: # -: # using defaults found in .config -: # -: * -: * Linux Kernel Configuration -: * -: * -: * Code maturity level options -: * -: Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers (EXPERIMENTAL) [Y/n/?] y -: Select only drivers expected to compile cleanly (CLEAN_COMPILE) [Y/n/?] y -: Select only drivers that don't need compile-time external firmware (STANDALONE) [Y/n/?] y -: * -: * General setup -: * -: Support for paging of anonymous memory (swap) (SWAP) [Y/n/?] y -: System V IPC (SYSVIPC) [Y/n/?] y

[rodolfo@…]

Just to add more to what I've said, this usually happens when you get a configuration of an earlier kernel (2.6.6 for instance) and use in an earlier kernel (2.6.7 in my case). When there's some symbols missing, make oldconfig makes a question, and nALFS hangs.

[kpfleming@…]

You are correct, this has been brought up on the list earlier. I believe the best solution (well, really the only solution) is document in the README file that the config file you supply _must_ be up-to-date with the kernel that the profile wants to build.

[kpfleming@…]

Corrected in testing/unstable profiles by using:

yes "" | make oldconfig

This should work for most users.