Kernel source: setting up without compiling

GiovanniDeStefano · 01-16-2006, 05:35 AM

Hi all!
I am a Linux Newbie...and please note the capital N! ;-)

I am running Debian with kernel 2.6.8. I am setting up the kernel sources in order to be used to install new drivers/modules/whatever. I know I don't have to perform a FULL kernel compilation, but just the very first step...

...this is what I did so far:
1) downloaded the kernel-source-2.6.8 package
2) uncompressed the tar.gz file in the /usr/src dir
3) created a symbolic link to linux
4) copied the .config file from boot/config...
5) ??? What is the next step?

I remember I did execute a long command stating something like 'make ... oldconfig ...' but I cannot find it...I mean, I know I have to do another step in order to use the newly downloaded sources but I don't know what I have to do...

What is the missing step? Any ideas?

thank you all for your time.
Regards
Giovanni

nx5000 · 01-16-2006, 05:49 AM

Without compiling? I don't get it!? You mean without reconfiguring all?

To take your oldconfig:

Code:

cp /boot/good_config /usr/src/linux
optional: make oldconfig
make menuconfig

--------------------------
Then to compile

Code:

make

as root:

Code:

make install
make modules_install

or using debian method:
as normal user:

Code:

fakeroot make-kpkg clean && fakeroot make-kpkg --append-to-version=.Jan2005 kernel_image
then as root:
cd ..
dpkg -i kernel_imagexxxxxx.deb

T.Hsu · 01-16-2006, 05:54 AM

You only need kernel header package to compile new module (driver), e.g nvidia, entire kernel source is unnecessary.

apt-get install kernel-headers-`uname -r`

later version's name may be changed from `kernel' to `linux' such as linux-headers-2.6.14-2-686.

GiovanniDeStefano · 01-16-2006, 05:55 AM

Thank you pal,

well, I actually meant without reconfiguring all! My bad...

I think yours are the lines I was looking for!

Thank you again.
Gio ;-)

GiovanniDeStefano · 01-16-2006, 06:35 AM

T.Hsu thank you so much...your tip worked great!

Gio ;-)