Ok, so now we know its possible! Now the question is how to create and use a _registered_ hc file bundle. The Build manual describes the process of cross compiling an _unregistered_ hc file bundle, but has nothing to say about creating the simpler registered hc file bundle for the purpose of bootstrapping GHC on an equivalent supported platform but without a preinstalled ghc. So, reading between the lines a little, here is what I propose trying. Please take a look, and give me your thoughts if you think I am on the wrong track! HOST: Has ghc, happy, alex installed. TARGET: Same as host, but without ghc, happy alex. On the HOST ----------------- Unpack src tree, and cd into it. Configure with necessary options $ ./configure --prefix=... Section 10.2.1'Cross-compiling to produce an unregisterised GHC' in the build manual suggests creating an mk/build.mk with following contents: GhcUnregisterised = YES GhcLibHcOpts = -O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files GhcRtsHcOpts = -keep-hc-files GhcLibWays = SplitObjs = NO GhcWithNativeCodeGen = NO GhcWithInterpreter = NO GhcStage1HcOpts = -O GhcStage2HcOpts = -O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files SRC_HC_OPTS += -H32m GhcBootLibs = YES Reading between the lines somewhat, for a full registered version we might need something like GhcUnregisterised = NO GhcLibHcOpts = -O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files GhcRtsHcOpts = -keep-hc-files GhcLibWays = SplitObjs = NO GhcWithNativeCodeGen = YES GhcWithInterpreter = YES GhcStage1HcOpts = -O GhcStage2HcOpts = -O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files SRC_HC_OPTS += -H32m GhcBootLibs = YES Advice on this bit gratefully received! The manual next suggests copying some target generated include files into the host ghc source, but since they are the same I guess we can ignore that bit. Now building exactly as described in the manual: $ pushd glafp-utils && make boot && make && popd $ pushd ghc && make boot && make && popd Manual suggests the build might fail in RTS, but probably not for our registered version ? $ pushd libraries && make boot && make && popd $ pushd ghc/compiler && make boot stage=2 && make stage=2 && popd $ pushd ghc/lib/compat $ make clean $ rm .depend $ make boot UseStage1=YES $ make -k UseStage1=YES EXTRA_HC_OPTS='-O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files' $ popd $ pushd ghc/utils $ make clean $ make -k UseStage1=YES EXTRA_HC_OPTS='-O -fvia-C -keep-hc-files' $ popd $ make hc-file-bundle Project=Ghc That should provide us with our hc-file-bundle, *-hc.tar.gz On the TARGET -------------------- Unpack src tree, unpack the hc file bundle on top of it. Cd into the src tree. Now it should be a simple matter of $ distrib/hc-build --prefix=dir $ make install Any comments/suggestions before I give it a try? Thanks for all help so far, and in anticipation of more! Andrew Walrond