Finding it difficult to find someone with the patience to help with this so thought I would try local talent: In the past, whenever I wanted to compile a `new` kernel, I would first up do: # urpmi kernel-source-2.6-n Then do: # urpmi kernel The kernels were not the latest release and of course rpm's were available. Because of my usb concerns I thought I would `install` kernel-2.6-10 - knowing I would have to compile from linux-2.6.10.tar.bz2. So first thing, read the README at least, and straight off I'm lost, though later it looks like my usual one step at a time approach will get there. Here's were I'm lost: "- If you install the full sources, put the kernel tarball in a directory where you have permissions (eg. your home directory) and unpack it" OK - no prob with that. "Do NOT use the /usr/src/linux area! " Again, no prob, sort of covered that, I thought. "- Make sure you have no stale .o files and dependencies lying around: cd linux make mrproper You should now have the sources correctly installed." Huh! But I've only unpacked the bz2 file into my home directory - how can anything be installed at this point? Just in case I'm having a braindead week : "BUILD directory for the kernel: When compiling the kernel all output files will per default be stored together with the kernel source code. **[ Fair enough ]** Using the option "make O=output/dir" allow you to specify an alternate place for the output files (including .config). Example: kernel source code: /usr/src/linux-2.6.N build directory: /home/name/build/kernel ** [ Possibly not something I might require but better remember, just in case ] ** To configure and build the kernel use: cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.N ** WOAH - WAIT UP- where in blue blazes did the directory /usr/src/linux-2.6.N come from - yes. I have directories for previous versions here but certainly not this one yet. So right now I have the bz2 file in my /home/frank/src/ directory, have it unpacked and I thought ready to go????? So I go back and re-read things and find: " If you install the full sources..... " Right back at the beginning. The only file I have found is the bz2 file, how can I have already installed the full sources. I thought they were part and parcel of the bz2 file and as yet had to be installed. Lost - braindead - BOTH. Any one want to do the rear seat kicking here? -- Newbie Seeking USER_FUNCTIONALITY always! Regards SnapafunFrank Big or small, a challenge requires the same commitment to resolve. Registered Linux User # 324213