I'm really new to linux and need to know what Required kernel I have or how to check for it. Required kernal: Linux 2.2.x (x >= 18), 2.4.x, or 2.6.x. I'm using Mandrake 10. Should that work? Is there something I can read to learn the basics on installing source (I think that's what it's called)?

I believe Mandrake 10.0 comes with 2.6.5 or something later, so you should be fine.

"Required kernel" doesn't mean anything other than what it says - it's basically the version # of the kernel that is necessary for whatever function is telling you that.

Edited to add: You don't need to install the kernal source or compile a new kernel unless you want to upgrade. There are several guides out there on how to do this, including one here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=73436

but keep in mind it's slightly different for 2.4.x and 2.6.x kernels; those directions appear to be for 2.4.x.

uname -r

from the command line will return the kernel verison you are currently using.

ah, ok, there it is thanks

Mandrake 10 is a 2.6.3 derivitive (or can be installed with a 2.4) so you should be fine.

Installing some source packages are dead easy, others are more difficult. It depends on what they require to run... Usually it's as easy as

./configure
make
make install

But read the README to check... It might also tell you what else the package needs to run, if anything...

To compile things like this you will need to install some developement tools and maybe the kerrnel source or headers. These are all on your mdk disk and you can get them easy with the package installation tool...