every time i try and run a ./configure file after uncompressing a tarball, i get this error: "checking for C compiler default output... configure: error: C compiler cannot create executables"

Then it just returns to the prompt

I need help badly

What is the output of "echo $CC"
Is it gcc? Maybe this is a permissions problem. Are you trying to compile software as a regular user in a directory you don't have write permission in?

the output is a blank line or no output

I am running as root in my home directory

I guess no one can help me.

Have you checked to make sure gcc is installed?

Im not totally sure if it is. how do i check?

try this:
$ gcc

if that doesn't work, then try
# updatedb
# locate gcc

I did those commands, and it had no effect, im still getting the same error that the gcc compiler cannot create executables. Heres the ./configure output....

[root@localhost httpd-2.0.49]# ./configure
checking for chosen layout... Apache
checking for working mkdir -p... yes
checking build system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
checking host system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
checking target system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1

Configuring Apache Portable Runtime library ...

checking for APR... reconfig
configuring package in srclib/apr now
checking build system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
checking host system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
checking target system type... i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
Configuring APR library
Platform: i686-pc-linux-gnulibc1
checking for working mkdir -p... yes
APR Version: 0.9.5
checking for chosen layout... apr
checking for gcc... gcc
checking for C compiler default output file name... configure: error: C compiler cannot create executables
See `config.log' for more details.
configure failed for srclib/apr
[root@localhost httpd-2.0.49]#

those commands were to check if you have gcc installed. So...do you?

yes, but it still cannot create executables

This is just a guess but in the kernel configuration there are two options, one for creating a.out executables, and one for creating ELF binaries. Perhaps this is the problem.

If you are using a custom kernel go into the top-level source and run:
You should see:
If you do not see these you may need to recompile your kernel. Again though...this is just a guess. It would seem odd that you have gcc installed but it cannot create executables.

Another thought: you may need the kernel headers installed.

Im not running a custom kernel. Im running the new version of redhat ws. Is what you told me to do still apply

Well the kernel should be fine then. My only suggestion is to install the kernel headers. There should be an rpm package on the redhat install discs.

You never posted the output of
locate gcc
or
gcc --version

Personally I think that it's just not installed ;)


Cheers,
Tink

Tinkster: but what about this from his .configure output:
It would seem it is installed but broken somehow.