Compiling 5.x Kernel (2021)

[SkibbleBip]

Hello, I've been attempting to compile a modern 5.x kernel for my modded wii. I've had 3.x (or at least I think it was 3.x, it's been a while, I haven't worked on my wii in about a year) installed and running just fine through the wii-linux-ngx distro. I decided to try and compile the most recent version of the kernel as of Feb 2021 using this script and the built in powerpc-gnu cross compiler in ubuntu, but I have yet to be able to get a bootable image. The image compiles fine, but when I replace my old zImage file with the new one it boots to a crispy pink and green pixelated noise, and the machine hangs.

I know a good way around compiling a kernel under normal circumstances on an x86 machine where all that needs to be done is creating a vmlinuz image and all the modules, but as the Wii's process is a bit "unorthodox", I am not all too familiar with the specific hack to install the kernel, drivers, and modules. What would be the proper process to take to compile a zImage and all the modules? Would I need to create modern patches for the kernel source? I know that MIKEp7 is for an older version of the kernel, and as far as I am aware there is no MIKE patch for 5.x. Another bit of confusion is the official distribution of the kernel contains configurations for the wii, but of course there is not much documentation of compiling the wii post-2017 so very little information I can find about whether I need to patch the source, or if it is already "wii-supported." Once I get a working 5.x kernel installed, I'm planning on possibly submitting updates to the wii-linux-ngx distro and getting that repo up to date with 5.x since that is one of the most up-to-date of the wii distros.

[ghost]

I would also love to get a modern kernel working for a Wii and I have a pal who wants to do the same. Perhaps we can all mash our heads together and get some kind of result. I'm certain you're aware the Wii's processor is PowerPC based and while I've never compiled a Linux kernel I'm sure the architecture is important to the process.

[Wiibuntu]

There is already newer Linux kernels for Mac based PowerPC systems. Debian 12 can run on PowerPC with Kernel 6.1 if I'm not mistaken. So its 100% possible.