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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????
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...
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.
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/...
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
Last edited by GlennsPref; 01-13-2010 at 03:49 AM.
Reason: Hope this helps. type uname -a for your version info.
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)
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
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.
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
Last edited by GlennsPref; 01-14-2010 at 05:45 PM.
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