Robert.Wultsch@asu.edu wrote:
> I am not sure what you are suggesting. It is my intention, to install debian
> and then upgrade to the SuSE kernel.
> 
> I have not been succesful at compiling a kernel for x86 since like 2.4.10 when
> I just begining to play. There are way to many options for me to not screw it
> up for my laptop. (this is not to say that I have not been succesful on the
> sparc platform, which I have)  With the SuSE kernel I know that it works, but
> I hate most everything else.

Usually a distribution will include their .config file.  This file shows what 
options were selected when compiling.  It is also likely that the distibution 
has also applied some patches to the kernel (say ACPI for example).  You should 
see if there is a README that goes along with the kernel.  For SuSe ... just try 
and find out what the kernel package name is (using "rpm -qa | grep kernel" or 
something) then list the contents (rpm -ql kernelpackage) and see if there is an 
obvious README.

Really it would seem strange to move the kernel to debian, but I suppose it 
would work.  I just wonder whether it would be easier than figuring out what you 
need to get your laptop working.  Basically, every distro's kernel is roughly 
the same deal, and can be recreated by anyone intersted in doing so, you just 
need to know the config and which patches were applied (there may be some 
private vendor patches by some of the big guys).

It is also possible that whatever isn't working in debian is not working because 
of some configuration issue and not the kernel at all.  Consider a scenario 
where SuSe has some added ability to configure something that in debian you must 
do by hand.  Thus the kernel isn't the problem at all.

Good luck.

Austin

PS - hey, what model is your laptop?