Configure kernel source?

lugoteehalt · 10-13-2008, 09:59 AM

Sorry if this elementary but have been unable to find stuff.

Trying to install nvidia's own graphics drivers using their *.run file.

It won't work saying this is because version.h is not present in kernel source and the most likely reason for this is that the source has not been properly configured. Installed kernel-source and extracted the tar file. No idea how to 'configure' it.

Seem to recall typing something like dpkg-make configure or something on a previous occasion.

Thanks any help.

jschiwal · 10-13-2008, 10:10 AM

You should be able to simply install the kernel source package for your version of Mandrake. Also install the kernel-headers package. That will be the one that supplies the version.h file. You need the module-init-utils package installed. It probably already is. Otherwise you may need to run the full "make oldconfig && make xconfig && make modules_install" process.

lugoteehalt · 10-13-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschiwal

You should be able to simply install the kernel source package for your version of Mandrake. Also install the kernel-headers package. That will be the one that supplies the version.h file. You need the module-init-utils package installed. It probably already is. Otherwise you may need to run the full "make oldconfig && make xconfig && make modules_install" process.

Great thanks. Using Debian Etch AMD 64.

So what I'll do is:

Install module-init-utils if not allready there.

Install kernel-headers and tar zvxf the tarball it puts in /usr/src if that's what it does. That's what kernel-source did.

Try to install drivers:
bash nvidia*.run.

If this does not work:

cd /usr/src/somethingOrOtherLinuxSource-*6.18

make oldconfig
make xconfig
make modules_install

Have my doubts about last make - the nvidia installer usually does that doesn't it?

All that make stuff is new to me.

I'll get back if it does not work if that's ok.

Junior Hacker · 10-13-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

It won't work saying this is because version.h is not present in kernel source and the most likely reason for this is that the source has not been properly configured

You should post the exact error spit out by bash to get accurate help.
With Debian, I usually install 'linux-kernel-headers' with apt or aptitude, synaptic and you'll have necessary headers/source for compiling modules/drivers.

lugoteehalt · 10-14-2008, 10:50 AM

Yes, all that was needed was to install the linux kernel headears package. (There are a great many source packages, with a variety of different names, this leads to confusion.) The NVidia installer found them by itself and did its thing. To be fair to myself it did tell me to put in the kernel source.

Thanks.

For completeness:

Code:

ERROR: The kernel header file
       '/usr/src/linux-source-2.6.18/include/linux/version.h' does not exist. 
       The most likely reason for this is that the kernel source files in
       '/usr/src/linux-source-2.6.18' have not been configured.
ERROR: Installation has failed.  Please see the file
       '/var/log/nvidia-installer.log' for details.  You may find suggestions
       on fixing installation problems in the README available on the Linux
       driver download page at www.nvidia.com.

monsm · 10-14-2008, 10:58 AM

Good it got sorted then. I would think the source package contains the headers as well, it does in most distros I think. Of course the installed source need to match the kernel you are running (command: uname -a I think). You also normally need a symbolic link /usr/src/linux that point to the source for the currently running kernel.

lugoteehalt · 10-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsm

Good it got sorted then. I would think the source package contains the headers as well, it does in most distros I think. Of course the installed source need to match the kernel you are running (command: uname -a I think). You also normally need a symbolic link /usr/src/linux that point to the source for the currently running kernel.

I haven't got the symbolic link, I'll put it in. It will point to *-2.6.18-6 not *-2.6.18-6-amd64 (the amd64 is what is running, there does not seem to be a package with this name.) Is this all right?

monsm · 10-14-2008, 01:53 PM

Yes think that should be ok.