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cliffhanger121599

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Incomplete kernels

As a newbie to Linux, could someone explain why, when downloading a kernel from www.kernel.org for example, some kernels are supplied incomplete, i.e. without 'arch' 'drivers' and 'scripts', also no 'docs'?  I assumed that these files are common to all kernels, but that is obviously not the case, as these part kernels will not compile with files copied from the same 'series' even, e.g. 2.3.
How does one use these kernels?
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friebele

Some kernals are actually patches in which you upgrade your existing kernal. These can get hairy at times. I prefer to install a full kernal, so that you get the complete documentation and you don't have missing processes.

To get any complete kernal version go to http://www.kernal.org
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ASKER

That's where I went, but the version I downloaded(2.3.51)was incomplete(see above).   It was not labelled as a patch.
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friebele

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Cheers.   The problem was a downloading error assoc. with ftp(don't ask me what).    I now have the kernel in question, but am abandoning it as it will not compile.