I started this because I had seen reports about the new kernel being much better and faster so I thought that it would improve what was getting with that computer. Are all those reports lies?

No, but the 2.6 kernel may not be faster in a way that benefits your particular setup. Firstly, regardless of how fast a kernel is, a typical system spends more of its time running non-kernel code than kernel code. So a kernel that was magically twice as fast at everything would not make your whole system run twice as fast. Secondly, the major performance improvements in 2.6 are based around interactive response for workstations and multiway SMP machines; not low-end fileservers such as the machine you've set up. So while 2.6 is faster, it may not be faster in the areas that matter to you. Thirdly, IIRC the memory footprint of the 2.6 kernel is higher than 2.4. That might be enough to push the system into swapping more frequently, and that will kill performance. (Probably more important than all the above) you have not just replaced 2.4 with 2.6, but Suse 9 with Suse 9.1 - so all your user space programs have changed. If the memory footprint of your running system as a whole has gone up, then this will increase swapping and that will more than outweigh any performance gain from using 2.6 as against 2.4. [I should also note that I've seen a performance benefit from the latest 2.6 kernel updates from YOU, compared with the 2.6 kernel you get off the installation CDs.] You need to isolate the cause of the slowness to get further. Boot the system in runlevel 3 (no GUI), stop all unneeded services, and check the system's memory usage. Then you can start running some benchmarks to see if you have a real performance bottleneck, or if 9.1 was just eating too much RAM for your system to be comfortable. HTH Legal Disclaimer: Any views expressed by the sender of this message are not necessarily those of Application Solutions Ltd. Information in this e-mail may be confidential and is for the use of the intended recipient only, no mistake in transmission is intended to waive or compromise such privilege. Please advise the sender if you receive this e-mail by mistake.