What are the pros and cons of compiling your own kernel?

Question

Im pretty new with Linux.

Im on decently old hardware. Ubuntu 10.04 had no issues detecting and installing proper drivers for all of my hardware (even wireless). I have read that people generally compile their own kernels to fix driver issues.

I can't find any literature stating why I should compile my own custom kernel as opposed to using the generic one.

Answer 1

The pro side would be that if you compiled your own kernel, you could tailor it specifically for your computer. It might use the resources of your computer more efficiently than the generic kernel.



The con side - you might end up screwing up your computer pretty badly if you did something wrong. Compiling a kernel is not the easiest thing in the universe. Frankly, I'm not sure if compiling your own one is worth the hassle and the potential (and likely) pitfalls you may encounter.



I would just stick to the generic kernels, since you are not having any urgent need to compile your own kernel.



If it ain't broken, don't fix it :-)

Answer 2

If you want to use the generic code, the only reason is for the experience. You compile your own kernel if you want it to be different from the generic one - different drivers or other differences.

Answer 3

won't be able to relatively say. even though it in all probability is related to the comparable as employing Arch Linux. once you're a capacity person and experience employing terminal instructions to convey at the same time source records, you would be some one that would desire to assert what the experts and cons are. I have not got any concept what which would be.