Hi,

I'm a Linux n00b trying to setup Ndiswrapper on my new install of Mandrake 10.1. I've followed the instructions on the site through covering the prerequisites for Mandrake and yet when it gets to performing a make on the Ndiswrapper I get the following error message:

From what I've been able to work out this means I have to replace my Kernal sources... whatever that means. Could anyone fill me in on just what it means, whats going wrong and how to fix it?

Cheers

This is the usual location of your kernel sources /usr/src/linux if they are not there you will need to get them from your Linux cd.

when a kernel is installed, the /lib/modules/<kernel name and version>/build directory is just a symlink back to the kernel sources

ls -l /lib/modules/2.4.26/build
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 21 2005-03-06 15:04 /lib/modules/2.4.26/build -> /usr/src/linux-2.4.26

as you can see above, build is pointing back to /usr/src/linux-2.4.26 on my machine. make sure you have the kernel-source package installed, and check the link again. if you have to, just re-create the symlink by hand.

Okay, just taken a look around and heres what I found:

"/usr/src/" does not actually contain a linux folder but only a folder called RDM (or a similar combination of three letters).

"/lib/modules/2.6.8.1-12mdk/" does not contain anything called build. It did however contain a folder called "kernal". I copied this folder and renamed it build, placing it in the same folder. The make command still didn't work.

I then tried to look on my Linux DVD for the source files. This just puzzled me though - the contents of the DVD appear as one file named "????????" (a lot more question marks actually). So that wasen't an option.

Where do I go now?

check rpmdrake or urpmi. delete that build directory you created, the kernel directory contains the modules themselves ( don't delete that though). basically, you need to find the kernel source package and install it before you can go any further. One thing worth noting, you can get kernel sources from www.kernel.org, but these may not be any help to you if the default Mandrake kernel you are running was patched by Mandrake ( very good possiblity). These sources would work, but you would have to build and install a new kernel. I would look for the kernel-sources package first.

I am also having a similar problem with the kernel sources. ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net indicates that I need to have started comping the kernel sources (not sure what how to do that) "so needed header files are present." I think this is the same problem Andorin is having. I am pretty sure I am running kernel 2.6.8.1-12mdk on Mandrake 10.1. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
SD

Just to expand upon my last statement before I go offline for the evening (I too am new to Linux and really hoping to get away from Microsoft and Windows XP):

I just finished a fresh install of Mandrake Linux 10.1 on a PIII 500 mhz; dual boot windows xp pro.

According to the ndiswrapper instructions (see the following link: http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/p...84866ef3674588) I am supposed to have a recent kernel source.

Bullet 1: I am pretty sure that I am running 2.6.8.1 (or 2.4.27-0) as both kernels are located in the "/lib/modules/" directory. When I try to install either from CD 1, I get a notification that "Everything already installed".

Bullet 2: When I check the following locations "/usr/src/" I do not have a "linux-,<kernel-version>" folder. The only folder is "rpm" as the user above.

Additionally, in my "/lib/modules/" folder I have two folders: "2.4.27-0.pre2.lmdkenterprise" and "2.6.8.1-12mdk". Niether directory has the "build" file as indicated on the ndiswrapper installation website.

Any ideas on how to create the needed files?

Bullet 3: What does the instructions mean when it says "make sure you have started compiling kernel sources"?

I have done some searching on google, but I only get tips on developing my own linux kernel.

What are header files?

Bullet 4: I am not sure if I have the wireless tools installed - I will keep looking (any help here would be good too). Although, if I cannot get the above problems fixed, this problem is moot.

Thanks!

I'm glad I found this post. I'm also very new to linux, and trying to get this Linksys Wireless-G to work is proving itself to be a formidable task for a newb. I'm having the same issue as SD-user. I have these same two issues:

Bullet 2: When I check the following locations "/usr/src/" I do not have a "linux-,<kernel-version>" folder. The only folder is "rpm" as the user above.

I know I have already removed the old ndiswrapper module and acx100 support from:

/lib/modules/2.6.8.1-12mdk/kernel/3rdparty/ndiswrapper
/lib/modules/2.6.8.1-12mdk/kernel/3rdparty/acx100

I just need to now create the link to the kernel sources while logged in as root, by typing:

ln -s /usr/src/linux-<kernel-version> /lib/modules/VERSION/build

Should I just enter in ln -s /usr/src/linux-<2.6.8.1-12mdk> /lib/modules/VERSION/build ?? Will that work?

Also where can I find out where Wireless Tools is installed? I checked all the little boxes in setup...I figure everything I need should be installed already. I hope once I can create the link everything will work.

halakar - I think we must first run the linux compiler. I have some previous experience working with programming (very basic level C++ from about 6 years ago) and I believe the actual Linux kernel must be compiled before other programs, like ndiswrapper, may be installed/compiled.

Hence, this is why neither of us have the "build" directors - b/c the linux kernel has not been built - aka the kernel has not been compiled. This is just my guess - I have been looking for several days now how to complete this process and I have not found anything - hence the post. If you figure it out, please post the solution here - as I will do the same

Good luck

- SD

UPDATE:

I compiled the kernel source. I did this by going to Configure your Computer, software management, and install packages...type 'kernel' in the search box, you'll see 2.6.8.1-12mdk kernel source. Double click it to place a checkmark next to it, and it will install it, you'll have to have your installation source available, it asked me for cd 3. After this, there was a folder in /usr/src called linux-2.6.8.1-12mdk!

I installed nvidia display drivers successfully after this and also ndiswrapper. Haven't got ndiswrapper to successfully load the bcmwl5.inf display driver yet. Going to go try it again.

halakar,

Do you have the "build" directory in the "/lib/modules" too?

I think I do but it's not a folder, it's a link IIRC. I don't think the nvidia drivers are working just yet, it might still be on vesa. The installer said installation completed. I think I need to edit the config file for x to load the nvidia drivers. Not sure. Trying to learn as I go. I really wish I could get the driver to load..

bumpin' it up!!

halakar,
I gave up on mandrake 10.1 and erased the system . . . I got everything to work well with FC3. Check out this site if you decide to load FC3: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/top...tml&highlight=

best of luck - SD