Is there any special reason to use their kernel? What does it
contain
that you cannot find in DAVE's / our tested and working kernel tree?
Well, we've decided to use the MontaVista distribution / development environment, and that integrates nicely with their kernel build tools. There may well be features that are present in the MontaVista kernel tree that we would like to use too (although I'd have to check the details). I think the general feeling is that having one source for all this is the best way to go (if we can get it to work).
You have to accept the fact that "similar" is not good enough.
You
must use a kernel which has been proted to the _exact_
matching
board, or you will run into problems sooner or later - at least
if
you don't understand EXACTLY what you are doing (which seems not
to
be the case - no offence meant).
You're absolutely right, I don't understand exactly what I'm doing :). No offence taken whatsoever. I've read through most of 'Understanding the Linux Kernel', but unfortunately it only covers the early kernel boot process for the i386 architecture. Is there any other reference that can give more information for the PowerPC?
Of course. You shall break compatibility to the rest of the
world
just to make their kernel work. What a nonsense.
I do have access to a BDI2000, that I've used to break into
a running
kernel (at start_here), but can't get it to break when I use the MontaVista kernel. From this, I assume that it's failing somewhere very early in the linux boot process.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Your question is a FAQ:
http://www.denx.de/twiki/bin/view/DULG/LinuxHangsAfterUncompressingKer nel
I've followed the information in that FAQ. However, all it tells me to do is match up the bd_info structures, and check clock information.
What I cannot understand is why you are wasting your time (and
ours) if you
have a working kernel which you can use.
It just seems to make sense to try to keep everything (kernel, apps, development etc.) under 'one roof' (i.e. MontaVista) if at all possible.
I think whichever kernel tree we use, we're going to have to do some porting either way, so I'd appreciate some guidance as to where in the kernel I should be looking to resolve the problems we currently have (as I might need the knowledge gained when we come to adding further customisations later).
We *do* have a BDI 2000, but I think my ability to be able to debug this problem is hindered by my limited knowledge of the kernel startup code.
Any pointers on how to improve that knowledge (URLs, book and the like), with specific reference to the PowerPC processor, would be much appreciated.
Thanks to all who have replied thus far.
Andy