trouble with slackbuild madwifi--file does not end in .tgz
Hi
I have tried to install madwifi as per the instructions on AlienBob's site. I get pretty far but then am confronted with the following message, please note that the package loaded: Package creation complete. /tmp/build/package-madwifi bash-3.1# installpkg madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz Cannot install madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz: package does not end in .tgz bash-3.1# Please tell me what this means. As a newbie I was quite pleased with myself for getting this far and then only to be foiled...well, it was frustrating. I also tried to install wicd from Slackbuilds and got the same message. My wired connection is working great; now I want wireless. Thanks for any help. |
Check the name very closely, the error means that you have mispelled the name.
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The correct name is madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz,
so a misspelled name is not the problem. You don't need to build that package, just download and install it. The question is, does it match the kernel version you're running? What is the output of "uname -a" ? Duh ... and are you running Slackware-12.1? "cat /etc/slackware-version" |
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I built it following the instructions on his site so I am not sure how what I did was different. Here's the link: http://alien.slackbook.org/dokuwiki/...i_on_slackware Here's the output from uname -a: bash-3.1# uname -a Linux christian 2.6.24.5-smp #2 SMP Wed Apr 30 13:41:38 CDT 2008 i686 Mobile Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.20GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux bash-3.1# And yes I am running 12.1: bash-3.1# cat /etc/slackware-version Slackware 12.1.0 Thanks for any help |
You don't need to build the package, since Eric has
already built it for Slackware-12.1 and kernel 2.6.24.5_smp. Just download the package from the link I gave you, and then install it as root: Code:
installpkg madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz for that output, and edited my post to include it. That was not a remark towards you. |
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No harm done--it sounded like a you were talking to yourself and not me. So, I will go and download it and try again tonight. But out of curiosity and from someone who's just learning this stuff: did I not already build the package and thus should it not be in my filesystem ready to install? The output I pasted below was a result of using installpkg with the package built from Eric's site. I am not arguing, but sincerely interested in understanding. Also, where is it best to download packages? By default they go to the desktop and then I open them in /home. Is that right? I have gotten pretty good at downloading and installing stuff in Ubuntu but am still navigating Slackware. Many thanks again |
You can build it if you like, but there really is no point
for this package IMO. Eric's packages are reliable, and he has already built one for that Slackware version and kernel. Eric is on the Slackware core team, and he writes and keeps a good number of the scripts updated. You will find his name in the ChangeLogs and Release notes. For my personal preference, if Slackware does not have an official package, then I look to Eric's repository. If he does not have it, then I build it myself. I don't use any other Slackware packages. That is just my opinion, based on the fact that no one else has shown me the excellence and track record that Pat and Eric have shown. For building packages you need a SlackBuild script. Eric has created Alien's SlackBuild Toolkit to help guys like me create a SlackBuild script. It's a starting point, and usually needs a little bit of editing. That's what I do, and am prepared for every Tom, Dick and Harry to come out of the woodwork and tell me their method, why it's better than mine, or preferred by them. That's the beauty of Linux ... choices, many choices. Do you need the package from the SVN branch, or will the stable one do for you? Just curious. As for packages ... we can all do it differently. I backup all the PCs on this LAN to my server every night, so I build everything under my /home directory. I have a directory named ~/build/ which holds all the subdirectories of different software. I also have ~/kernel/ which holds all the kernels I build. When one is obsolete, I will remove it. |
Hi
Thanks again. As for: "Do you need the package from the SVN branch, or will the stable one do for you? Just curious." Stable is fine. Your thoughts on the packages are appreciated. I will try again using the link you sent and hope that my wireless gets up and running before too long. And indeed: the many choices is what I like too. It feels like my computer and not someone elses. best wishes and thanks for help. I'll be back I'm sure |
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Check the output of Code:
history Eric |
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Originally Posted by madwida :twocents: from a :newbie: Jan-Christer |
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I downloaded madwifi from the link and this is what happens: bash-3.1# installpkg madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz Cannot install madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz: package does not end in .tgz bash-3.1# This is the name of the file: tar:/home/christian/Desktop/madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz/ When I extract it to /home this is what it lookslike: /home/christian/madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien (note that there is no extension). Am I missing something? I fear there is something painfully obvious going on here that I do not get. Thanks for the help |
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I ran history and the output is so long for the download, build, and installation info that LQ would not allow me to post it. Thanks |
Warning! This post is about to get patronising. I mean no offence by it, just need to make sure you've got the basics down ...
Do you know about/use tab-complete? If not, that might help. I'm with Jan, I think you need to ensure you're giving installpkg the right path, and I think you're not doing this because of an unfamiliarity with the command line. Regardless of the package creation method (download or self-build; kudos for doing that so early on, it'll pay dividends later!) don't untar the package, just find it's location and install it from there. When I try and install a package that doesn't exist, I get this too: Code:
~$ installpkg apackageidonthavehere.tgz If you can't see any madwifi tgz file, then you're looking in the wrong place! :) Some final points: /home is different to $HOME, ~/ and /home/christian/ (the latter three being the same as each other on your machine). You say you download to Desktop and move to /home, you probably mean: ~/Desktop and ~/ respectively. If you know where it is, then provide the full path to installpkg: `installpkg /home/imaginaryuser/some/sub/dir/tree/thispackageexists.tgz` If I'm totally off-track and actually all I've managed to do is get you irritated for patronising you ... I can only apologise and wish you the best of luck with this one! - Piete. |
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[edit]Unless that's a typo, it looks like /home/christian/Desktop/madwifi-r3856_20080903_2.6.24.5_smp-i486-1alien.tgz/ is a directory...is that because you untarred it, or am I imagining things?[/edit] |
Looking at your other post regarding your inability to create a wicd package, I think you need to read a bit in the Slackware Book so that you get a better grasp of Linux basics.
The information you show, make me think that you access these directories using a graphical file manager. Try to use a terminal application instead - working with the "installpkg" program and installing packages should not be done using a graphical browser. Eric |
I am about to go out of the country for a five days but wanted to write a quick thanks--and please patronize all you want as I really am at the beginning and need the help. I have been doing my best to read the Slackbook etc but am obviously missing something. So, I will try all you suggest when I return.
Best wishes |
I had some time and got madwifi installed along with wicd--thanks so much for all the help. I was indeed missing a few crucial steps, typical newbie mistakes, I imagine. But now that I know how to do it it should be smooth sailing from here. I want to get Conky going on this machine.
Now, all I have to do is get wireless actually working... Thanks again |
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Eric |
Would you be so kind as to outline exactly what you were missing to get it working? It's nice to have a record of what went wrong and how you fixed it for other people to see too :)
Getting wireless working I found wasn't too bad, but like most things requires a lot of the ol' RTM. Persevere, glad we could help! - Piete. Edit: Eric got in there before me ;) |
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Yes, indeed. The most helpful post was Piete's on page 1 of this thread--it provided the missing step. I was not including the file path; it was as simple as that. So, downloaded the package--that was easy. Then, I was having trouble making the file executable and running the script--it turns out that in that step I was not giving the path either. I followed the instructions in this thread: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...8/#post3304131 So, the missing step was my not knowing that I needed to do this; pretty basic when it comes to Linux, but new to me. Once I had that down it was very easy. Like many things so far in Linux and Slackware once you understand how to do something it makes sense and becomes simple (well, that might be a stretch!). Once wicd was working I then discovered via dmesg that I needed the correct driver for my card--an old Broadcom 4306 (since it's not Atheros perhaps the Madwifi download was not needed, but it was a good learning experience). I went and got it. And having already followed Alien Bob/Eric's wireless instructions (I edited the recommended fle using vi--what a treat that was for a newbie) I then got wireless going instantly once the driver was installed. Now, upon boot-up wicd and wireless appear. So, first I followed Alien Bob's wireless instructions; downloaded madwifi and wicd from Slackbuilds; downloaded drivers; got wireless working. And along the way learned that it is critical to give the path to the file--now it's obvious. So, thanks and I hope that's the detail you wanted. I do not think I left anything out. Best wishes |
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