Hi All,

I'm trying to install wireless driver for Linksys WPC11 ver4 and it is asking me for the "Linux source directory in /usr/src/Linux". I do not have subdir for Linux, so I'm assuming my source code is not installed. How do I do install this?

I'm running Suse Linux personal 9.1

Thanks,
Taichiman

hi there

what u can do look in ur distribution CD if u have any kernel source package
or u can get the required 2.4 or 2.6 kernel source from kernel.org and extract that to the required directory

regards

taichiman:

You have a problem!

The kernel sources are not contained on your SuSE-Personal-CD, neither are the development tools that you need to compile the kernel (make, gcc, some libs). In order to install those packages you need a good internet connection. Add a near SuSE mirror to the list of installation sources in yast. Then you can use the internet connection to install all missing packages.

I cannot recommend the sources from kernel.org, since the SuSE kernel is slightly different. Only use exactly matching sources!

hey
i have not used Suse so i would like to know how is the kernel of Suse different from other linux kernels
Isn't the source of all the linux kernels same?? and released from kernel.org

regards

As far as I know, SuSE patches their kernels themselves. Every kernel update (e.g. security fixes), they release new source packages also. As a matter of fact, one runs into serious problems compiling drivers with source packages that do not match the running kernel (even if this is a suse package). I guess this is more a problem of scripts that check for version numbers than of real differences in source code.

hi there

hey so do u mean to say that if u r using suse u cannot use the kenrel from kernel.org
if that is true then i think i won't use Suse ...

regards

No, I didn't say that! Have a look in my profile, I am running 2.6.7 from kernel.org.

All I wanted to say is, that to compile a driver for the running kernel, the sources must match the version of the running kernel.

In taichiman's case, I assumed that he's using the default SuSE 9.1 kernel, so I recommended to install the default SuSE9.1 sources (which isn't easy when you have only a Personal-CD).

I'm very new to Linux. I swithced over from Windows only 2 weeks ago and am not familiar with making mirror images. Would the kernel-source be included in the Professional 9.1 of Suse? I wouldn't mind upgrading if it would save me time and heartache.

Also, it seems that it is more normal to install the kernel-source. Why does Suse not do this?

Yepp, the kernel sources are on the Pro CD's, although not installed per default. But at least you won't have to connect to the internet first. With a Pro CD/DVD all you need to do is open yast -> install software -> search for 'source' and install the package (don't forget make, gcc, etc.).

EDIT:

There's only limited space on the CD, so they obviously decided to put some colorfull stuff on it instead of a development system. A full Pro version has 5 CD's!

Another question I have is why does the install script for WPC11 driver need kernel source code anyway? I'm assuming it needs this to alter it. I would think altering the kernel-source code and then recompiling/making would be dangerous to the integity of the system, especially if the changes have not been tested well.

Taichiman

Good question! The script will not compile the whole kernel, just a new module/driver for your hardware. But it needs a lot of prerequisites to be able to do this and they come with the source code. I can't go more into detail cause im a noob in that stuff.

abisko00,

as an alternative, I've been reading some stuff on installing the WPC11 drivers via ndiswrapper, and I think I have done this. Here is what I did:

1) I used Yast2, went to Install and Remove Software, used Filter "Packaged Groups", went to System, then kernel and checked the ndiswrapper box, then Accept. It looked like it installed the driver and there are new drivers, in particular the Prism2 drivers, which is the driver I think I need.

2) Then I went in Yast2, Clicked on Network Devices, then Network Card, saw my network card, clicked on it and configured it, then saved it. But the card does not seem to be working. The power light is on, but the link light is off.
By the way, I know the card works since when I boot into Windows XP, it works fine.

I went into command prompt as su and did ifconfig and do not see wlan0. I issued "ifconfig wlan0 up" and it said device was not found. Is it not linking because I do not have kernel-source installed, or am I just ommitting a command to link it?

I feel like I'm getting real close.

Taichiman

i use suse 9.1 personal, i downloaded from the ftp servers, i got the kernel sources and everything else you need to make it more like the professional version from they're ftp, 9.1 personal and professional both use the same kernel so jus switch yast installation source to one of the 9.1 directories and download

Hi syphoncode.32,

In Yast, I did the following:
1) clicked on "Software"
2) clicked on "Change Source of Install"
3) click on "Add" button
4) chose "FTP" from dropdown
5) for Server Name, I typed "ftp://ftp.suse.com"
But I'm not sure what to put in for "Directory on Server" ???

I'm new to Linux and am assuming I'm going down the correct path here. If not, please redirect me.

Thanks,
Taichiman

Personally I would never use ftp.suse.com to downlaod anything on a broadband connection. They only allow around 7kb/s downloads on their ftp server, which is fine for dial up, but a pain on broadband. The Chicago server is used to the most, so I suggest trying a different Server.