Reinstall Linux in my laptop

casualzone · 01-11-2010, 03:24 AM

I plan to reinstall linux (CentOS 5.2 = RHEL5) in my laptop because of insufficient diskspace partition in /. Only allocate 8.8G for /root and the rest to /app/

Current my kernel version is 2.6.28, which are latest than the CentOS release which is 2.6.18, I think. Someone compile the kernel for me because he said my laptop network card is not recognized in the 2.6.18 released. I am not sure how he did it. I am a bit worried because if I reinstall again, I will face the same problem that my network card is not recognized!.

Can someone tell me what should I do? I lost contact with the guy, hence I am asking help from here....
Shall I backup the network card driver????

GlennsPref · 01-11-2010, 04:12 AM

Hi, you can find a list of devices by typing lspci.

You can get a list of modules by typing lsmod

You could save a copy of these lists by adding > module-list

Like this...

Code:

lspci > ~/pci-list
lsmod > ~/module-list

We can shorten the list by grepping for the network stuff alone, like this...

Code:

lspci | grep network > ~/pci-list
lsmod | grep network > ~/module-list

I hope, working from winxp atm, sheesh!

Print these if you plan to repartition your drive/s.

Now, after you have reinstalled linux, and the dev packages required, like libqt3-devel, and ncursors, etc

Re-build your kernel, but check the functionality of the network card first.

When you go to rebuild, you will require the source for the kernel you plan to re/build.

when you install the kernel-source, check it has made a link to /usr/src/linux

If not make one...

Code:

ln -s /usr/src/kernel-x.x.xx /usr/src/linux (replace the x's with the exact version number)

cd to /usr/src/linux

Code:

cd /usr/src/linux

now, first do...

Code:

make oldconfig

That will bring the new sources in line with the current running kernel,

answer the questions as they appear. The defaults are usually good.

Now type...

Code:

make xconfig

This will/should bring up a gui to enable you to make config changes to the kernel before build.

This is where you use your lists,

Use the search function of the xconfig window and find a reference to the modules in your list.

Once you are happy you covered the driver modules required, then save the config file, to the default place and

Code:

make all && make modules_install && make install

you need to be root to save and execute these commands (if it says "command not found", you need to su to root)

If all goes well, no news is good news, Reboot to your new kernel.

Generally I customise the kernel name, you can do this by editing the /usr/src/linux/Makefile line 4 or 5.

Just tag it on the end, so you'll see it as a custom kernel in grub, etc.

see how you go, google is your friend, and we are here too, in case you need to ask some more questions.

all the best, you are becoming a hacker.

Regards Glenn

jf.argentino · 01-11-2010, 04:24 AM

Quote:

I plan to reinstall linux (CentOS 5.2 = RHEL5) in my laptop because of insufficient diskspace partition in /. Only allocate 8.8G for /root and the rest to /app/

Boot with a liveCD and use gparted to change size of your partitions...

GlennsPref · 01-11-2010, 04:36 AM

Hi, jf.argentino is quite right, you may be able to resize your partitons with a live cd.

I did not think of that!

It would save a fair bit of mucking around.

Cheers, Glenn

casualzone · 01-12-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jf.argentino

Boot with a liveCD and use gparted to change size of your partitions...

If I do this, I will lose all my data, right. I dont see any difference if do a clean reinstallation. I just want to make sure all my drivers (network card, graphic cards work.

Are Drivers able to be backup?

casualzone · 01-12-2010, 12:46 AM

To GlennsPref,

your reply is too much to me as a newbie... I have no idea on kernel compilation...

Here is the network card (confirm in window system aslo)

[kstan@circuit src]$ /sbin/lspci | grep Network
06:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4328 802.11a/b/g/n (rev 03)

what we normally do if network card is not recognized in the linux CD?

Is it to recompile kernel? I just wonder why...
Can I back up the network card file to reinstall it after reinstalling CentOS 5.4??

GlennsPref · 01-12-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casualzone

If I do this, I will lose all my data, right. I dont see any difference if do a clean reinstallation. I just want to make sure all my drivers (network card, graphic cards work.

Are Drivers able to be backup?

No, all you want to do is enlarge (grow) the / partition and reduce the /apps partition. Don't uuse format if you use this option.

Normally you get a card that is supported by the gnu/Linux kernel, or use ndiswrapper to use an m$win driver.

The beauty of gnu/Linux and the kernel, is that you may customise it to suit your particular needs.

I have an Idea, If your friend re-compiled the kernel for you, he/she may have left the sources used in /usr/src/kernel....(ver).

Check there and see.

Check it's size, you may be able to back it up to dvd, then copy it back after you have sorted out the partition config. If you chose to reinstall, Make a dedicated /home partition too.

My kernel sources, from memory, are about 5 Gb, too big for a standard dvd.

I would upgrade the kernel after I re-installed the os to the latest version for your system. Apparently broad-com see no need to support Linux. An other option is ndiswrapper with a window$ driver.

Cheers Glenn

ps, the installed kernel modules may be found in /lib/... or /lib64/...

seems it is supported in 2.6.24 onwards....b43legacy module
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43

casualzone · 01-12-2010, 09:26 PM

07:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02)

This is my ethernet card. Can I use ndiswrapper to this ethernet card also? Where do I check whether ndiswrapper can support or not?

GlennsPref · 01-13-2010, 03:18 AM

Hi, I think the realtek ethernet is supported by the kernel.
type uname -a for your version info.
I would only use ndiswrapper if nothing else works.

Try lsmod again,

lsmod | grep Ethernet (or Realtek)

also, try these commands to see what is listed,

ifconfig (network including eth and ppp (point-to-point protocol)) and
iwconfig (wireless-networking)

regards Glenn

PS. There is(/was in 2008) a conversation (post) about copying kernel modules here...
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...82#post3484282

The second page is quite interesting, once the argument settled down.

An immportant aspect is that some distributions hack the kernel before being added to the repository for that distribution.

It's a good read, may even point out a conflict in modules blocking each other at, or after load. Hence, sometimes black-listing a like-module enables another to work fine.

HTH. Glenn

GlennsPref · 01-13-2010, 04:01 AM

Quote:

I have an Idea, If your friend re-compiled the kernel for you, he/she may have left the sources used in /usr/src/kernel....(ver).

Check there and see.

Check it's size, you may be able to back it up to dvd, then copy it back after you have sorted out the partition config. If you chose to reinstall, Make a dedicated /home partition too.

My kernel sources, from memory, are about 5 Gb, too big for a standard dvd.

Another thought, once the kernel is installed by your friend, the source is no longer required.

If you find the directory /usr/src/kernel-source...(ver) you may delete it to get back that disk space.

A relatively easy fix.

Be sure you know what you are doing before using this command....Be VERY careful. You need root access!too.

Code:

rm -rf /usr/src/kernel...(ver)

You should be able to enter the first part of the command "rm -rf /usr/src/kerne" and

then press "Tab" to "auto-complete" the address (bash)

You can't get it back once it's been deleted this way, without special tools.

rm = remove -rf = recursive, all files and folders(directories)

Searching for gnu/Linux
http://www.google.com/linux?hl=en&q=&btnG=Search

casualzone · 01-14-2010, 04:03 AM

I have checked in the internet. THe kernel of CentOS 5.4 is still based on old kernel 2.6.18 ... does not follow the RHEL5.4 which uses 2.6.30 kernel. Luck is not on my side

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS6664150386.html

My kernel 2.6.28 backup was deleted long time ago. Now my root folder only have 200Mb..

Thanks for your information. If realtek RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02) is able to use ndiswrapper... then I will try to reformat and reinstall centos5.4... hopefully it can recognize all my drivers.

casualzone · 01-14-2010, 04:09 AM

BTW, since the RHEL5.4 kernel is 2.6.30.. it is sure that it will recognize my erthernet card.
Why not I just use RHEL5.4...?

Any reason ppl not using RHEL but install other distro like CentOS, Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora etc..

As I know.. I cant update software if using RHEL. Is it true?

GlennsPref · 01-14-2010, 05:41 PM

To be honest, I don't know anything about rhel or centos, I did install redhat(ver 5.2) once...A magazine disk, (2/11/98) I new nothing about linux then....

and I have tried fedora and suse too (2004/5), both seem quite good and complete.

I have found Mandriva to be nice and adjustable (hackable) and it suits my needs,

I think you need to buy support for RH, But don't take my word for it.

All the above are based on Red Hat Package managment (.rpm)

Ubuntu is different, it is based on the Debian model of package management.

But other than that, GNU/Linux is what it is and you can get the source for any/almost

Program, and Kernel and build it, install it your self. To suit your system.

ps, don't forget to make youself a /home partition when you setup.

As well as / root and I don't know why you need an /apps partition, but maybe that is a centos thing.

When ever a re-install is required, the system usually wants to format / and /usr , If you keep them separate you can save all your docs and stuff in /home/"user-name" and it will be there when the system comes up.

Anyhow, see how you go, regards Glenn