SuSE Support Database

Title: Kernel too big

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Kernel too big

Symptom:

After you've configured the kernel, you start the compilation with e.g. the command make zImage. At the end of the compilation process you get an error like

Boot sector 512 bytes
Setup is 1252 bytes
System is 531kB
System is too big

The numbers are just examples.

The message might also appear, when you try to install the kernel (with YaST) or to call /sbin/lilo (with YaST) :

Kernel too big

Cause:

Too many drivers were compiled directly into the kernel ('y' instead of 'm').

Solution:

There are two possible solutions. The first one should be preferred. It is unlikely that you need the second.

  1. Please think twice which of the chosen options in the kernel you really need. "The more the better" is not a good choice for the kernel. A small kernel that fits your system very well is what you should try to get when compiling a new kernel.

    A lot of the available drivers can be compiled as a module. These should be preferred (where possible, see below). Modules get loaded automatically when needed. Thus they only consume memory when they're loaded (see manual).

    The follwoing options should not be chosen as a module :

  2. If you really want a huge, monolithic kernel with a lot of drivers, try the command make bzImage.

For further information please read the Lilo User Guide in the directory /usr/doc/packages/lilo-$VERSION/.

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Keywords: ZIMAGE, BZIMAGE, KERNEL, TOO BIG

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