I am attempting to setup a jabber server to run on my fedora 2 core machine. The server I want to install gives me the error: C compiler cannot create executables. So I tried installing a couple different revisions of GCC. I get the error: You must set the enviorment variable CC to a working compiler. So I have to have a working compiler to install a compiler? This is my first real attempt at linux so anything would help even if it means switching to another version of linux. Thanks for your help!

Yup -- you need to have a C compiler installed to build gcc (since gcc is, itself, written in C). You're best bet is to install gcc via the RPMs that came on your installation CDs.

Well, no, on an rpm based distro like rh you can intsall gcc by rpm, or more simply by the upgrade install mechanizm on your install cd's. Look for the option "developement". Haven't used rh since 8.0, so I can't be more specific. Be advised that upgrading gcc alone to a newer version is a _bad_ idea, as there are many dependancy problems.

As to your original "gcc can't create executables" error, it is possible that it was an unusual permisions problem. Something often overlooked is that the partition containing the working directory (where you're compiling) must be mounted with the exec option.

Regards,
Kevin