I have read two pages of Google hits throughout the day and have found nothing yet. A couple of others have asked for help with this verbatim error message, but no answers that I can find.

I ran:
prompt> ./configure
on grub-0.97.

configure: error: GRUB requires a working absolute objcopy; upgrade your binutils

the grub-0.97 source is in /usr/src dir of my Fedora 8 - Dell Latitude D600 P4 1.6GHz.

My personal thread of thought for this endeavor came from the Pocket Linux Guide, though I am attempting to eventually put it on a CF-32MB.

I have a later version of binutils than what is required.

At least one of my Google hits revealed another user who had same problem and also had a later version of binutils.

Read a few Google-hit pages on gcc and compiled some small test progs... mainly to test that gcc even worked on my system and to learn more about the options. Also ran a matrix of small c programs (loops) to see how effective the -O0/1/2/3 options were. 'time'd them. 'time''gcc'ed them as well. All with fine results.

Browsed and tinkered off and on all day with nothing ringing a bell for me.

Help?

Thx!

kc



Begin config.log:


This file contains any messages produced by compilers while
running configure, to aid debugging if configure makes a mistake.

It was created by GRUB configure 0.97, which was
generated by GNU Autoconf 2.59. Invocation command line was

$ ./configure

## --------- ##
## Platform. ##
## --------- ##

hostname = localhost.localdomain
uname -m = i686
uname -r = 2.6.23.1-49.fc8
uname -s = Linux
uname -v = #1 SMP Thu Nov 8 21:41:26 EST 2007

/usr/bin/uname -p = unknown
/bin/uname -X = unknown

/bin/arch = i686
/usr/bin/arch -k = unknown
/usr/convex/getsysinfo = unknown
hostinfo = unknown
/bin/machine = unknown
/usr/bin/oslevel = unknown
/bin/universe = unknown

PATH: /usr/kerberos/sbin
PATH: /usr/kerberos/bin
PATH: /usr/lib/ccache
PATH: /usr/local/sbin
PATH: /usr/local/bin
PATH: /sbin
PATH: /bin
PATH: /usr/sbin
PATH: /usr/bin
PATH: /usr/X11R6/bin
PATH: /root/bin


## ----------- ##
## Core tests. ##
## ----------- ##

configure:1434: checking for a BSD-compatible install
configure:1489: result: /usr/bin/install -c
configure:1500: checking whether build environment is sane
configure:1543: result: yes
configure:1608: checking for gawk
configure:1624: found /bin/gawk
configure:1634: result: gawk
configure:1644: checking whether make sets $(MAKE)
configure:1664: result: yes
configure:1839: checking build system type
configure:1857: result: i686-pc-linux-gnu
configure:1865: checking host system type
configure:1879: result: i686-pc-linux-gnu
configure:1903: checking whether to enable maintainer-specific portions of Makefiles
configure:1912: result: no
configure:2028: checking for gcc
configure:2044: found /usr/lib/ccache/gcc
configure:2054: result: gcc
configure:2112: checking for gcc
configure:2138: result: gcc
configure:2382: checking for C compiler version
configure:2385: gcc --version </dev/null >&5
gcc (GCC) 4.1.2 20070925 (Red Hat 4.1.2-33)
Copyright (C) 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

configure:2388: $? = 0
configure:2390: gcc -v </dev/null >&5
Using built-in specs.
Target: i386-redhat-linux
Configured with: ../configure --prefix=/usr --mandir=/usr/share/man --infodir=/usr/share/info --enable-shared --enable-threads=posix --enable-checking=release --with-system-zlib --enable-__cxa_atexit --disable-libunwind-exceptions --enable-languages=c,c++,objc,obj-c++,java,fortran,ada --enable-java-awt=gtk --disable-dssi --enable-plugin --with-java-home=/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.5.0-gcj-1.5.0.0/jre --enable-libgcj-multifile --enable-java-maintainer-mode --with-ecj-jar=/usr/share/java/eclipse-ecj.jar --with-cpu=generic --host=i386-redhat-linux
Thread model: posix
gcc version 4.1.2 20070925 (Red Hat 4.1.2-33)
configure:2393: $? = 0
configure:2395: gcc -V </dev/null >&5
gcc: '-V' option must have argument
configure:2398: $? = 1
configure:2421: checking for C compiler default output file name
configure:2424: gcc conftest.c >&5
configure:2427: $? = 0
configure:2473: result: a.out
configure:2478: checking whether the C compiler works
configure:2484: ./a.out
configure:2487: $? = 0
configure:2504: result: yes
configure:2511: checking whether we are cross compiling
configure:2513: result: no
configure:2516: checking for suffix of executables
configure:2518: gcc -o conftest conftest.c >&5
configure:2521: $? = 0
configure:2546: result:
configure:2552: checking for suffix of object files
configure:2573: gcc -c conftest.c >&5
configure:2576: $? = 0
configure:2598: result: o
configure:2602: checking whether we are using the GNU C compiler
configure:2626: gcc -c conftest.c >&5
configure:2632: $? = 0
configure:2636: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:2639: $? = 0
configure:2642: test -s conftest.o
configure:2645: $? = 0
configure:2658: result: yes
configure:2664: checking whether gcc accepts -g
configure:2685: gcc -c -g conftest.c >&5
configure:2691: $? = 0
configure:2695: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:2698: $? = 0
configure:2701: test -s conftest.o
configure:2704: $? = 0
configure:2715: result: yes
configure:2732: checking for gcc option to accept ANSI C
configure:2802: gcc -c -g -O2 conftest.c >&5
configure:2808: $? = 0
configure:2812: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:2815: $? = 0
configure:2818: test -s conftest.o
configure:2821: $? = 0
configure:2839: result: none needed
configure:2857: gcc -c -g -O2 conftest.c >&5
conftest.c:2: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before 'me'
configure:2863: $? = 1
configure: failed program was:
| #ifndef __cplusplus
| choke me
| #endif
configure:3007: checking for style of include used by make
configure:3035: result: GNU
configure:3063: checking dependency style of gcc
configure:3153: result: gcc3
configure:3174: checking dependency style of gcc
configure:3264: result: gcc3
configure:3376: checking for ranlib
configure:3392: found /usr/bin/ranlib
configure:3403: result: ranlib
configure:3429: checking whether optimization for size works
configure:3453: gcc -c -Os -g conftest.c >&5
configure:3459: $? = 0
configure:3463: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:3466: $? = 0
configure:3469: test -s conftest.o
configure:3472: $? = 0
configure:3485: result: yes
configure:3494: checking whether gcc has -fno-stack-protector
configure:3518: gcc -c -fno-stack-protector conftest.c >&5
configure:3524: $? = 0
configure:3528: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:3531: $? = 0
configure:3534: test -s conftest.o
configure:3537: $? = 0
configure:3550: result: yes
configure:3566: checking whether -Wundef works
configure:3590: gcc -c -g -Wundef conftest.c >&5
configure:3596: $? = 0
configure:3600: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:3603: $? = 0
configure:3606: test -s conftest.o
configure:3609: $? = 0
configure:3622: result: yes
configure:3627: checking whether -falign-loops works
configure:3651: gcc -c -g -falign-loops=1 conftest.c >&5
configure:3657: $? = 0
configure:3661: test -z
|| test ! -s conftest.err
configure:3664: $? = 0
configure:3667: test -s conftest.o
configure:3670: $? = 0
configure:3683: result: yes
configure:3780: checking for objcopy
configure:3796: found /usr/bin/objcopy
configure:3806: result: objcopy
configure:3822: checking if C symbols get an underscore after compilation
configure:3837: gcc -g -S conftest.c
configure:3840: $? = 0
configure:3867: result: no
configure:3870: checking whether objcopy works for absolute addresses
configure:3883: gcc -c -g -Wall -Wmissing-prototypes -Wunused -Wshadow -Wpointer-arith -falign-jumps=1 -falign-loops=1 -falign-functions=1 -Wundef conftest.c >&5
conftest.c:3: warning: no previous prototype for 'cmain'
configure:3886: $? = 0
configure:3896: gcc -g -nostdlib -Wl,-N -Wl,-Ttext -Wl,2000 conftest.o -o conftest.exec
/usr/bin/ld: warning: cannot find entry symbol _start; defaulting to 00002000
configure:3899: $? = 0
configure:3907: objcopy -O binary conftest.exec conftest
configure:3910: $? = 0
configure:3896: gcc -g -nostdlib -Wl,-N -Wl,-Ttext -Wl,8000 conftest.o -o conftest.exec
/usr/bin/ld: warning: cannot find entry symbol _start; defaulting to 00008000
configure:3899: $? = 0
configure:3907: objcopy -O binary conftest.exec conftest
configure:3910: $? = 0
configure:3918: cmp -s conftest.old conftest
configure:3921: $? = 1
configure:3932: result: no
configure:3935: error: GRUB requires a working absolute objcopy; upgrade your binutils

## ---------------- ##
## Cache variables. ##
## ---------------- ##

ac_cv_build=i686-pc-linux-gnu
ac_cv_build_alias=i686-pc-linux-gnu
ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu=yes
ac_cv_env_CC_set=
ac_cv_env_CC_value=
ac_cv_env_CFLAGS_set=
ac_cv_env_CFLAGS_value=
ac_cv_env_CPPFLAGS_set=
ac_cv_env_CPPFLAGS_value=
ac_cv_env_CPP_set=
ac_cv_env_CPP_value=
ac_cv_env_LDFLAGS_set=
ac_cv_env_LDFLAGS_value=
ac_cv_env_build_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_build_alias_value=
ac_cv_env_host_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_host_alias_value=
ac_cv_env_target_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_target_alias_value=
ac_cv_exeext=
ac_cv_host=i686-pc-linux-gnu
ac_cv_host_alias=i686-pc-linux-gnu
ac_cv_objext=o
ac_cv_path_install='/usr/bin/install -c'
ac_cv_prog_AWK=gawk
ac_cv_prog_ac_ct_CC=gcc
ac_cv_prog_ac_ct_OBJCOPY=objcopy
ac_cv_prog_ac_ct_RANLIB=ranlib
ac_cv_prog_cc_g=yes
ac_cv_prog_cc_stdc=
ac_cv_prog_make_make_set=yes
am_cv_CC_dependencies_compiler_type=gcc3
grub_cv_asm_uscore=no
grub_cv_prog_objcopy_absolute=no

## ----------------- ##
## Output variables. ##
## ----------------- ##

ACLOCAL='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run aclocal-1.9'
AMDEPBACKSLASH='\'
AMDEP_FALSE='#'
AMDEP_TRUE=''
AMTAR='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run tar'
AUTOCONF='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run autoconf'
AUTOHEADER='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run autoheader'
AUTOMAKE='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run automake-1.9'
AWK='gawk'
BUILD_EXAMPLE_KERNEL_FALSE=''
BUILD_EXAMPLE_KERNEL_TRUE=''
CC='gcc'
CCAS='gcc'
CCASFLAGS=''
CCDEPMODE='depmode=gcc3'
CFLAGS=' -g'
CPP=''
CPPFLAGS=' -Wall -Wmissing-prototypes -Wunused -Wshadow -Wpointer-arith -falign-jumps=1 -falign-loops=1 -falign-functions=1 -Wundef'
CYGPATH_W='echo'
DEFS=''
DEPDIR='.deps'
DISKLESS_SUPPORT_FALSE=''
DISKLESS_SUPPORT_TRUE=''
ECHO_C=''
ECHO_N='-n'
ECHO_T=''
EGREP=''
EXEEXT=''
FSYS_CFLAGS=''
GRUB_CFLAGS='-O2'
GRUB_LIBS=''
HERCULES_SUPPORT_FALSE=''
HERCULES_SUPPORT_TRUE=''
INSTALL_DATA='${INSTALL} -m 644'
INSTALL_PROGRAM='${INSTALL}'
INSTALL_SCRIPT='${INSTALL}'
INSTALL_STRIP_PROGRAM='${SHELL} $(install_sh) -c -s'
LDFLAGS=''
LIBOBJS=''
LIBS=''
LTLIBOBJS=''
MAINT='#'
MAINTAINER_MODE_FALSE=''
MAINTAINER_MODE_TRUE='#'
MAKEINFO='${SHELL} /usr/src/grub-0.97/missing --run makeinfo'
NETBOOT_DRIVERS=''
NETBOOT_SUPPORT_FALSE=''
NETBOOT_SUPPORT_TRUE=''
NET_CFLAGS=''
NET_EXTRAFLAGS=''
OBJCOPY='objcopy'
OBJEXT='o'
PACKAGE='grub'
PACKAGE_BUGREPORT='bug-grub@gnu.org'
PACKAGE_NAME='GRUB'
PACKAGE_STRING='GRUB 0.97'
PACKAGE_TARNAME='grub'
PACKAGE_VERSION='0.97'
PATH_SEPARATOR=':'
PERL=''
RANLIB='ranlib'
SERIAL_SPEED_SIMULATION_FALSE=''
SERIAL_SPEED_SIMULATION_TRUE=''
SERIAL_SUPPORT_FALSE=''
SERIAL_SUPPORT_TRUE=''
SET_MAKE=''
SHELL='/bin/sh'
STAGE1_CFLAGS='-O2'
STAGE2_CFLAGS='-Os -fno-stack-protector'
STRIP=''
VERSION='0.97'
ac_ct_CC='gcc'
ac_ct_OBJCOPY='objcopy'
ac_ct_RANLIB='ranlib'
ac_ct_STRIP=''
am__fastdepCC_FALSE='#'
am__fastdepCC_TRUE=''
am__include='include'
am__leading_dot='.'
am__quote=''
am__tar='${AMTAR} chof - "$$tardir"'
am__untar='${AMTAR} xf -'
bindir='${exec_prefix}/bin'
build='i686-pc-linux-gnu'
build_alias=''
build_cpu='i686'
build_os='linux-gnu'
build_vendor='pc'
datadir='${prefix}/share'
exec_prefix='NONE'
host='i686-pc-linux-gnu'
host_alias=''
host_cpu='i386'
host_os='linux-gnu'
host_vendor='pc'
includedir='${prefix}/include'
infodir='${prefix}/info'
install_sh='/usr/src/grub-0.97/install-sh'
libdir='${exec_prefix}/lib'
libexecdir='${exec_prefix}/libexec'
localstatedir='${prefix}/var'
mandir='${prefix}/man'
mkdir_p='mkdir -p --'
oldincludedir='/usr/include'
prefix='NONE'
program_transform_name='s,x,x,'
sbindir='${exec_prefix}/sbin'
sharedstatedir='${prefix}/com'
sysconfdir='${prefix}/etc'
target_alias=''

## ----------- ##
## confdefs.h. ##
## ----------- ##

#define PACKAGE "grub"
#define PACKAGE_BUGREPORT "bug-grub@gnu.org"
#define PACKAGE_NAME "GRUB"
#define PACKAGE_STRING "GRUB 0.97"
#define PACKAGE_TARNAME "grub"
#define PACKAGE_VERSION "0.97"
#define VERSION "0.97"

configure: exit 1

I just d/l from ftp://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/grub/ the version grub-0.97

I do not have a config error when I just tried this myself. For you, the install file suggests getting a new binutils and the link was dead so try here

http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/binutils/ for the file and
http://sourceware.org/binutils/docs-...ils/index.html for the doc

2) However, if you want to just grab files to load onto a card or usb you can grab grub files off a live cd or other hard drive install.

my signatue has some info on that kind of install but I do not have a flash card so can not verify its validity.

Why is it such a foreign concept for these Linux How-To article writers to include what distro/version they did whatever it is they did on? off and on for years now I have tried to get into it but keep running into these problems!

Sheesh!

If I can just get a barebones Linux system - with grub, kernel and bash on it - I will be able to build the rest from scratch and learn each package as I go... but crap! I cant seem to get anything to work... <sigh>

I just keep trying distros and trying distros...

**Good thing is that this time, Fedora 8 is nice enough to leave as my "Daily Driver"!

kc

you may be asking about distro called obligingly....linux from scratch?

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=lfs

2) a diff approach to the normal structure is gobolinux
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=gobo

3) a diff approach is frugalware
http://frugalware.org/about
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?dis...ion=frugalware

Ooooo yes!

Actually, I've been trying to do LFS since version 6.0 over a year ago... although I try for a few days and then quit for two months... lately I have been solid full month working with Linux. Fedora 8 is so nice I am staying put with it on my work laptop... which keeps me in the OS and close to further learning all day!

I was following Pocket Linux Guide directions when I developed this grup-0.97 problem... which I think is either a gcc or binutils or other unknown package (hence my desire to get a REALLY stripped hand built system to learn on) a million unknown variables affecting a problem frustrates me like nothing else!

I'm picking up a lot this time around and have no intention of giving it up now!

Thanks for the new directions/alternatives to LFS...

I believe it was Tom's RTBT that I need to get back to after the last time I quit Linux...

kc

When I get grub to work and I get a kernel installed... what is the very next file/package that I would need to get bash to function?

What is step 3?

kc

Sorry for posting thrice... but each as it comes...

Gobo... oh hell no! Thanks but no thanks! Heh heh... sounds like it makes sense... well.. it would have... wishing I could slap those Bell cats who came up with fuggin var etc bin(okay, well, bin makes sense...) but what the hell is a... nm... changin the Linux file structure is far too late, methinks...

Frugal... did they mention Slak ANYWHERE in there...? uh uh... no way.... not me... If I want to pound my brain for no reason I'll get a Louisville Slugger!

yep... still trying to get LFS going... but I'm learning a lot and damn near ready to abandon LFS once I get that first group of functional system running.

Thanks for your help!

kc

kc

I have not used LFS myself but I have used slack and you will learn more using slack.

however step 3 may be soln post 6 from steve this thread http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...g-grub-603343/

who says try

./configure --prefix=/hd/usr CC=gcc34 && make

However mdv has gcc 4.2+ and fedora 8 had 4.1 http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=fedora but you may have updated?

2) lets go back to my ealier comment....you are not trying to do all this for a flash card? because I have a bit in my signature and you can steal working copies of grub (the executable) and stage 1 / 2 and the relevant fileformat grub file?

I can not help you with lfs...post in another forum but my brains says you are trying too hard when stealing GPL is legal heh heh

aus... I know you're the MAN... but do YOU know you're the man?!

LOL

OK... ummm...

I'm a perfectionist dude. 7-8 years ago Linux was dirty... I knew I needed like 10 years of training to even attempt it...

5 years ago I went to school and had 13 p.o.s pcs from the dumpsters of repair shops and a few nice parts from my buddy in the Navy who worked next to the DRMO yard and got to get to the sales first...

I now have a rack with 6 bullet-proofs lots of odd scsi gear, 3 generation old cisco gear and VARIOUS miscellany...

Hardware's done.

I now KNOW hardware.

I got my Net+ and a job in IT. Real crack company... or crack-head... whatever...

Started to get into M$... but... it changes so fuggin much... people right-click s#!+ in 2k3 AD and select s#!+ because it's the drill... then things break and they're f@#$ing clueless.

I don't do clueless.

period.

Or I won't do. AT ALL.

So.

I load up my 'nix-tro... (pick a flavor.) Install... cool... works.

Let's do this.

Error.

Hmmm...

This!?

Error.

Uh huh.

Nex-tro.

Loads nice.

Error.

Damn.

This?

Error.

@#$%!!!

WHY!?!?!

Nex-tro.

<Repeat>

So... Here I am approching square 1.
I believe I have found it.

Anyways.

I just realized tonight that when I load the third OS... (XP, nix, nix2) that grub isn't in <nix2>/boot/grub/grub.conf anymore... where did it go?

Ok... menu.lst... ah HA! <hack hack cut paste>

ok... nix(1) works again.

What happened to grub on the mbr?

How do I view the mbr?




< I know too much of various NOTHING and it's time to put it all together! >

Now's the part where you tell me to start with your sig...

That's where I'll begin tommorrow morn... gotta get into the nuts and bolts of grub... to the core...

That is how I intend to do EVERYTHING... till I have Compiz spinning my cat seasick over my shoulder...

GREATLY appreciate what you do, man... You've really been a help!

Thanks!

kc

btw - spent the day poppin my Mandriva/Compiz cherry.

OMFG.

sweet.



G/F wants it...
Now to hold her back for the six months to six years it'll take me to lfs to it...

heh heh

yo bro kc

since I am the man...when you try to install a distro next time....write down the error or errors and google it or search a forum such as this one...LQ and if you start to use slightly non-desk hardware....have a peep at the Hardware compat list....HCL on the right side menus in LQ at also at various linux distros main sites..

BTW you could also consider netbsd as per http://www.netbsd.org/docs/ check them specs my man....I do not bsd myself...altho I did test pcbsd.......bsd tree btw is similar approach to gobo so it aint dead yet.

2) grub in mbr?

the easiest thing to do if you think grub not in your mbr....and you made no changes to hardware or to bios is to get a live cd....and re-install grub to mbr.....but you need to know where the rest of the grub files are....eg /dev/sdb2 = grubspeak (hd1,1) while sda is ms......so with a live cd you open a shell ...like cool man....
su
grub
root (hd1,1)
setup (hd0)
quit

and then reboot with no cd.....change hd numbers to suit the guilty.

I had just configured grub-0.97 too, and I got the same error. My host is FC8.

I had discoverd this root cause: gcc in FC8 will automatic add one section into the binary file. This section name is '.note.gnu.build-id', For workaround this issue, you can modify the 'configure', change 'objcopy -O binary' as 'objcopy -R .note.gnu.build-id -O binary'.

But I don't know why gcc of FC8 do this. It is really bad idea!

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