After --force ing the ATI driver installation, I'm trying to build and install a kernel module in order to get hardware acceleration, but I'm getting the following error when I "sh make.sh" in the fglrx/build_mod directory:

Ive set up my symlink using the following commands

cd /usr/src
ln -s linux-2.6.3-15mdk linux

so I dont really know what the problem is here

Are you sure that you have the kernel sources installed in /usr/src/linux? Also, make sure that you have the correct version that matches your kernel.

Try to get a vanilla kernel (2.6.3 for example) and compile it with the exact same options as the one you have now. The try to do the "sh make.sh" again.

Hope it helps

A more detailed version of what hammet suggested:

1. Get a vanilla(ftp.kernel.org) source
2. Unpack it in /usr/src
3. Copy the config file mandrake(redhat, debian, ...) used to compile your **RUNNING** kernel(this is generally found in /boot/config-...)
4. rename the config file to /usr/src/<linux version>/.config
5. cd into /usr/src/<linux version> and issue a "make oldconfig". If the kernel versions are the same it should answer all questions by itself.
6. issue a make dep(not needed for 2.6 kernels)
7. Now go run your installation for other drivers,
*OPTIONAL* 8. You may need to link /usr/src/linux to the kernel source, and/or link /lib/modules/<kernel-version>/build to the linux source.

Ah, dumb question, but what's a "vanilla source" file? And where is it on the ftp?

Goto ftp.kernel.org(as I referenced above), find a local mirror, go into the appropriate version folder, find the appropriate version. Vanilla refers to a kernel that hasn't been patched by anyone.

OK.

I'll follow the steps you outlined and report back.

One quick question though, I'm using the 2.6.3 up-4GB kernel because the default one doesn't recognize all my memory. Using this "vanilla" kernel will it find all my RAM?

Thanks for your help so far

Are you using mandrake? If you are, use the package installation to get the source for the exact version of the kernel you're using. It should be relatively simple.

Confused on this one. You want me to name the copied config file as "config-2.6.3-7", which would be my linux kernel version, and then paste it in /boot? Or in /usr/src/<linux version>?

Sorry for being a bit dense, I'm relatively new to the linux scene.

It should already be located in /boot and named config-...

You need to move it to /usr/src/<linux-kernel-source>/ and then rename it to .config

Realize the <> stuff you need to replace with real values(like /usr/src/linux-2.4.20 and config-2.4.20 would pair together)

Ok you are awesome!

The sh make.sh worked like a charm!

However

The module insert failed here:
I'm beginning to think ATI designed its driver around NOT letting me use it

Any clue what this error means?

It generally means the module and kernel are incompatible, for grins, paste me the output of "uname -a"

uname -a:

Linux x1-6-00-07-e9-c1-3c-84 2.6.3-7mdk #1 Wed Mar 17 15:56:42 CET 2004 i686 unknown unknown GNU/Linux

Man, this sucks Is there anything I can do to get it to work, short of upgrading my kernel?

i m using Mandrake 10.0
n XFree86 version 4.3.0.1

i downloaded the drivers frm ATI site..
i m doin everythin as it is given in the HOW TO file on the ATI SITE
everythin goes smooth... i answer all the question in fglrxconfig
dat too goes ok

but whn i reboot n try Fglrxinfo... it still says MESA drivers
whereas the ATI site goes like this...

can any1 help??