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May 13th, 2008 at 1:13 PM

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Gentoo Linux GCC/GLIBC Updates

DISCLAIMER: Only an experienced Linux professional should perform updates to Linux servers. Doing it yourself can cause severe damage. These notes do not come with any warranty of any kind so please don't blow up your server and blame us.

Gentoo GCC Upgrade Page: Gentoo GCC Upgrade Guide
About how long this takes: Many, many more hours longer then you think, if you are not a Valley Technologies client with access to the binary depot.

Step 1 - Prepare the System

Sync portage first...
# emerge --sync

If need be update portage itself to the latest version...
# emerge -ua portage

(Optional) Recompile wget with USE="static" just in case...
# USE="static" emerge wget

Download the dist files for everything you will need now just in case...

# emerge --fetchonly system

# emerge --fetchonly world

Step 2 - Update GCC

Upgrade the GCC compiler...
# emerge -uav gcc glibc

Be sure to replace "i686-pc-linux-gnu-4.1.2" with YOUR GCC version and CHOST settings. You can verify your CHOST settings by viewing /etc/make.conf.

# gcc-config i686-pc-linux-gnu-4.1.2

# env-update && source /etc/profile

Fix and Re-build libtool

# fix_libtool_files.sh 4.1.1 [Replace 4.1.1 with your old gcc version]

# emerge --oneshot -av libtool

Step 3 - Recompile Everything

Re-compile System and then World

Important: Please note that this is the part that takes forever if you're not a Valley Technologies client with access to the binary depot.

# emerge -gkeav system [Valley Technologies clients have access to a Gentoo binary depot to finish these steps without any compiling at all.]

# emerge -gkeav world

# revdep-rebuild

Step 4 - (optional) Mask your new GCC and GLIBC

Important: Doing this can save you a lot of time and headache later in life.

Add the following lines to /etc/portage/package.mask to prevent them from being updated without you knowing. Replace the versions with the current version you just installed.


>sys-devel/gcc-4.1.2

>sys-libs/glibc-2.6.1

Step 5 - (optional) Update/Recompile your kernel

Important: You can probably get by without recompiling your kernel if you used the Valley Technologies 2.6 Gentoo Kernel.

Recompile your Kernel...
Recompile your kernel against your new GCC. For more information see the Gentoo Handbook.

Step 6 - (optional) Remove Old GCC Versions

As usual, substitute =sys-devel/gcc-3.4* with the version you want to uninstall.

Important: In case you're upgrading from GCC-3.3, you should run emerge --oneshot sys-libs/libstdc++-v3 to provide compatibility with older binary C++ applications.

Important: Please note that the GCC 4.1 and newer can't compile a 2.4 kernel. Don't remove your old GCC version if you want to use an older kernel.

# emerge -aC =sys-devel/gcc-3.4*

Windows XP Pro RDP Encryption

Require Encryption

Windows XP defaults to allowing minimal or no encryption on remote desktop connections.

Click Start - Run - "%SystemRoot%\system32\gpedit.msc /s" to get to the Group Policy Editor. (See picture below.)

From here, go to Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Terminal Services - Encryption and Security.

Changing the RDP Port

You can also move the terminal services port from 3389 to another port by changing the registry key at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp from 3389 to something else like 8001. You will then need to specify the port when you connect to your system. Connect with something like "mycomputer.example.tld:8001" instead of "mycomputer.example.tld"

Windows XP Services Defined

Windows XP came out with a new configurable area. We'll be dealing with Windows XP services here. You will find these services in your Start, Programs menu named, "Administrative Tools". By Default Administrative Tools is not shown. You will have to enable it by opening Taskbar and Start Menu. Taskbar and Start Menu is accessible on the Classic Start Menu by clicking on Start, Settings, Taskbar and Start Menu. On the XP Start Menu you will have to get into the Control Panel and the Taskbar and Start Menu applet. Put a checkmark beside, "Display Administrative Tools. Click OK and then click on your Start, Programs, Administrative Tools and Services.