Hi all,

I'm not too experienced in linux and each time a new kernel is installed I follow a script to update my tv capture cards.This time however some issues appeared and I don't understand what they signify;/adv7180.c:169: error: array type has incomplete element type
/home/tony/v4l-dvb/v4l/adv7180.c:181: warning: initialization from incompatible pointer type
/home/tony/v4l-dvb/v4l/adv7180.c:183: error: unknown field 'id_table' specified in initializer

'adv7180.c:169: error: array type has incomplete element type
/home/tony/v4l-dvb/v4l/adv7180.c:181: warning: initialization from incompatible pointer type
/home/tony/v4l-dvb/v4l/adv7180.c:183: error: unknown field 'id_table' specified in initializer'

Could someone enlighten me please?




tONY

Yikes! Why do you do that?? Install new kernels, if the existing one is working fine?

I usually work for a year or more on a certain kernel version. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

These error messages most likely mean that your video-for-linux (v4l) driver/s are incompatible with the installed kernel version you have... sorry to say this but you have messed up your v4l setup with your constant kernel updates, it seems like.

I. e. you have changed your kernel version and thusly some definitions in the kernel source (which your v4l drivers need to compile against in order to work with the new kernel) have also changed. You now have to update your v4l drivers as well, to match the new kernel with the new definitions it has.

Really, there is no harm (with Linux at least) with just using a kernel version that works for you, and never updating that kernel. There is no specific need or reason to regularly update the kernel, unless you have some compelling reason to do so. It is fine to just use a kernel version that works for you indefinitely, and never updating it.

You have two options now:

1. Try to go back to an older kernel version

Not sure how you can do that. You seem to be using some automagical distro that auto-updates and all that kind of stuff (i. e. "tightly packaged" with yum / apt-get / etc)?

2. Updating your V4L drivers

This can be tough - if your drivers are "alive" and well supported for your video hardware, you might be able to just download new versions. However, if you have old / "dead" hardware drivers, you are up a creek without a paddle.

Basically, I never use auto-updates of any form, and I really, really think hard before updating my kernel version. Since the kernel is the "heart" of your Linux system, if you change it, -expect- trouble with kernel modules that have to be updated, and that can thusly necessitate a recompile or update of all the custom hardware modules you have that compile against the kernel in order to work.