I don't use initram, then i always compile kernel usign: genkernel kernel --menuconfig. When i use genkernel in order to compile the kernel, i use the save to file option to make a copy of config file in /root. If i use genkernel to compile the kernel adding a new module, it not compile. For example, i have kernel compiled without STV pencam support. Then i do: # genkernel kernel --menuconfig I use the "Load an Alternate Configuration File" option to load the old config file, i add the new module support (STV680) and then i use the "Save an Alternate Configuration File". Then i exit and then, when the kernel is compiling, i found that # cat /root/config-kernel-2.6.23-r3|grep STV CONFIG_USB_STV680=m # CONFIG_DVB_STV0299 is not set # CONFIG_DVB_STV0297 is not set but: # cat /usr/src/linux/.config|grep STV # CONFIG_USB_STV680 is not set # CONFIG_DVB_STV0299 is not set # CONFIG_DVB_STV0297 is not set The /etc/kernels/<configfile> also contains # CONFIG_USB_STV680 is not set # CONFIG_DVB_STV0299 is not set # CONFIG_DVB_STV0297 is not set the only way i found in order to compile the module is delete the .config file in /usr/src/linux (i use a make mrproper in order to delete all) and then copy my root/config-kernel-2.6.23-r3 file in /etc/kernels/kernel-config-x86-2.6.23-gentoo-r3, and then use genkernel --kernel without the --menuconfig option ir order to compile Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. cd /usr/src/linux (this is your currently running kernel) 2. genkernel kernel --menuconfig 3. add a new module support (for example, a STV680 pencam or a ps2mouse) 4. use the "Save an Alternate Configuration File" to make a backup copy or the configuration. 5. exit and compile. The new module is not compiled. The .config file in /usr/src/linux don't have support for the new module.
When you use "save an alternate configuration file", genkernel has no way to know you've done that. All it sees is /usr/src/linux/.config, which is the file it originally copied from /etc/kernels/. Just back up the new kernel config *after* the kernel is built.