Linux - NewbieThis Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
i am very new to linux. i recently installed mythbuntu and i am trying to install the isley pvr usb2 driver. i think i understand that i need to compile it against my kernel source (or a kernel source) but i don't understand how to do it. it seems that all the threads i have read assume a certain level of skill with linux, but as i stated earlier , i am an extreme newbie. i would really appreciate a clear "how to".
thank you for your quick reply nylex. yes i have read the instructions. probably several dozen times. the area that i am stuck with are these specific lines : "Compile this driver more or less in the usual way one does to build 2.6.x kernel modules outside of the kernel source tree. Said another way, you need a kernel source tree somewhere nearby...".
i'm sure that someone of your skill level can comfortably take such a simple statement for granted but it does assume a level of experience that i currently do not possess (but am eager to acquire). i would ,specifically, like help understanding how to put a "kernel source tree somehwere nearby" and why.
You need to install a lot of development tools, including the gcc package (which is the compiler), and you also will need to obtain the kernel source appropriate for your version of the kernel. Basically, the kernel source is just what it sounds like; the source code that was used to compile the kernel that is in your system. You need to have this source because anything you compile has to match your kernel, and it makes sure of the match by grabbing information from the source for the kernel you are running.
Using the package manager, do a search for gcc then install the packages that are found (unless, of course, you have already done this). Then look for kernel-source and install the one that matches your running kernel. That should get you going.
Unfortunately, right now I am on my Mandriva system (not my Kubuntu one), or I could give you more specific instructions.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.