Hello!

Why whenever I try to compile something from source, it gives me some error message...almost every program I try.

The messages are always different, but the just don't compile.

Thanks!

Murdock

Like which error message?
What gives ./configure ?

Thanks,

It gives me all of the standard C errors like function not declared, pointer points to null, all those typical errors. I feel like I need to start debugging these programs.

I recently tried to compile the ati radeon video driver and ipw2200gb wireless driver.

Thanks again,
Murdock

I think the easiest is to reinstall gcc!!

You should have files under
/usr/include/
/usr/lib/gcc/
/usr/lib/gcc-lib/
...

Ensure that you have entire development pacakges installed, most distribution will show you a category like "development tools", install everything that you find in development category, so that you have all dependencies installed. Also for some programs like device drivers etc. you need to have kernel source installed as well.

Now try out, it should work.

Thanks all for the help!

Here's my current development packages:
glibc-1.10.2
glib2-
gcc-3.4.4
gcc++-3.4.4

Here are the two programs:

1. ati radeon mobility driver. During compile it gives a tremendious amount of errors, but it does finally give me a module file. However, when I try to load it, it gives the error:
magic 'version 3.4' should be 'version 3.3'
What is this and how do I fix it up

2. the ipw2200bg wireless device driver. It doesn't compile. It gives a divide by zero error and a pointer error as well. Don't know what to do about that.

Thanks for any help,
Murdock

Because your kernel has been compiled with gcc 3.3 and that your program is compiled with gcc 3.4. So things may break.
To force the loading (which is a temporary solution until you change your kernel or your gcc) :
I have ipw2200bg sources on my computer. I could try to compile it and see , tomorrow maybe
First why do you want to recompile from source, there is no binary package for your distro? strange

I still think the easiest is to reinstall a clean gcc , glibc, dev headers,...

The best solution is to post your ./configure or make errors and let others help you pin point or resolve the problem.

Yes!
./configure
or we can't do anything

What is ./configure? The kernel one or the specific source?

thanks,
Murdock

When you install a program from source, usually you do ./configure, make and make install. When ./configure finishes, usually you are told of any missing packages or errors, so thats the output we need. Also if ./configure is successful and you have problems during the make process, post back the errors that get printed on the screen.

Okay,

Thanks everybody, I solved the problems...the ati driver was compiling, but there were some kernel configurations that needed to be dealt with and the ipw2200 driver was outdated, so I downloaded the latest one and it compiled great.

Thank again,
Murdock