<qandaentry>

        <question id="generic-kernel-build-failure">

          <para>Every kernel I try to build fails to compile; even

            GENERIC.</para>

        </question>

        <answer>

          <para>There are a number of possible causes for this problem.

            They are, in no particular order:</para>

          <itemizedlist>

            <listitem>

              <para>You are not using the new <command>make

                buildkernel</command> and <command>make

                installkernel</command> targets, and your source tree is

                different from the one used to build the currently running

                system (e.g., you're compiling 4.2-RELEASE on a 4.0-RELEASE

                system).  If you're attempting an upgrade, please read the

                <filename>/usr/src/UPDATING</filename> file, paying

                particular attention to the <quote>COMMON ITEMS</quote>

                section at the end.</para>

            </listitem>

            <listitem>

              <para>You are using the new <command>make

                buildkernel</command> and <command>make

                installkernel</command> targets, but you failed to assert

                the completion of the <command>make buildworld</command>

                target.  The <command>make buildkernel</command> target

                relies on files generated by the <command>make

                buildworld</command> target to complete its job

                correctly.</para>

            </listitem>

            <listitem>

              <para>Even if you are trying to build <link

                linkend="stable">FreeBSD-STABLE</link>, it is possible that

                you fetched the source tree at a time when it was either

                being modified, or broken for other reasons; only releases

                are absolutly guaranteed to be buildable, although <link

                linkend="stable">FreeBSD-STABLE</link> builds fine the

                majority of the time.  If you have not already done so, try

                re-fetching the source tree and see if the problem goes

                away.  Try using a different server in case the one you're

                using is having problems.</para>

            </listitem>

          </itemizedlist>

        </answer>

      </qandaentry>