Hi there. I've just been trying to compile a kernel (first time I might add), and I'm running into errors when I run 'make xconfig', or 'make menuconfig' etc.. To be honest, I have no idea what the problems is. I'm hoping that the error actually means something to somebody around here, and that somebody can tell me what my problem is... Because I'm damned if I know.

What should I have done before getting to the stage of running make? All I've done is extracted the new kernel to /usr/src/linux-2.6.7 and recreated the link 'linux' to point to that directory. Then (as an article I was going through advised) I put the Knoppix .config file in /usr/src/linux and ran 'make xconfig'. Now, that all sounds a bit too easy to be true, to me... So I wouldn't be surprised if I'm missing something vitally important out. As I say, I've merely been following a little guide.

I'm new to this, so go easy on me. Hope you can help. Thanks

What is the default Knoppix kernel is it 2.6.x or 2.4.x . It seems like you are trying to compile into the kernel something that doesn't exist. It might be that Knoppix is running kernel 2.4 whilst you are trying to compile a 2.6 based kernel and hence your problems maybe due to the .config file you copied. Sometimes it's not always good to copy a .config from default kernels because a lot of unnecessary modules are installed.

hi there

did u try 'make config'

also i think the linux source package is incomplete
get a new source and extract it and try again

regards
gaurav

Your theory about the kernel source being incomplete sounds probable... I may have to download it again as you suggest, although I'd rather not since I'm on a slow connection. Oh well. I'll just have to be patient

reddazz: I was using the Knoppix 2.6.6 .config file. And I'm trying to compile 2.6.7. Not a major difference there. But you think that could be the problem? I guess it probably could.


Let me get this straight: 'make xconfig' and such, are used to create a .config file, right? So if I just ditch the Knoppix config file and start from scratch, I should still end up with a valid .config file at the end of it, right? I think I'll try that... Only thing is I have no idea what to expect from the configuration program. I'm expecting something horribly complicated... Let's hope I'm wrong .

Oh, and I'm 90% sure I tried 'make config', but I was doing this late last night and my memory of it is a bit fuzzy . I'll try it again just to be sure.

Thanks for the replies

I tried deleting the Knoppix .config file but I'm still getting the same error, so that's not the problem.

Just looked over the error message and realised I'd actually misread it previously. I had overlooked the slashes at the beginning of some of the file paths. I had thought it was looking for files in /usr/src/linux/usr/include/whatever (which actually doesn't exist), but it's actually looking for it in /usr/include/whatever.

So it seems like I'm missing some files out of there... Any ideas why?

hi

if u delete the knoppix .config file it will load up a default .config file and it should work
make xconfig will automatically load up the default .config file untill u have done something else
i think it will only help u if u get a new kernel source from kernel.org


regards

As I say, deleting the Knoppix .config file didn't make any difference. I still get exactly the same error.

If you mean that you think my kernel source might be a partial download or something, then I suppose it's possible a few bits and bytes wandered off somewhere, so yeah, I think I'll probably re-download it. However, if you mean that you're unsure my copy came from kernel.org, well, it did.

I'll get this download over with today I guess. Damn my slow connection .

Update: Downloaded the whole thing again. I'm still getting exactly the same error. I seem to be missing some files and stuff, but I don't know what these files are, or where to get them (bearing in mind I have no Internet access from within Linux at the moment. Only in Windows).

what i propose is that u get ur further queries posted to the
newbie guide to kernel compiling by Dr Ozz in the linux general section.
there u can get better advice and help by linux gurus


regards
gaurav