Compiling linux drivers on Debian

[Soluzar]

The standard convention us to unpack it into "/usr/src/linux-x.y.z" where x.y.z is the version number, and then create a symlink to the sources for the current kernel at "/usr/src/linux".

One reason for this is so that you can have several versions of the source, for upgrading for example, without having to overwrite the older one in case you need to fall back to it. If you just execute 'tar -xvjf kernel-source-2.6.7.tar.bz2' when in '/usr/src' then that will untar and unbzip it into the correct directory.

As others have pointed out, it's not difficult to install the drivers on Debian, just there are a few more steps. You'll also probably want to use APT-GET to install 'kernel-package' if you want to do things 100% the 'Debian way'.

@Lithorus: That HOWTO you posted the link to refers to Gentoo as a 'derivative' of Debian. Is that correct? It does not use the .deb package format AFAICT...

[omry_y]

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[omry_y]

Soluzar, thanks for your quick reply.
I did as you suggested:
inside /usr/src, I have this:
kernel-source-2.6.7
linux -> kernel-source-2.6.7

extracted the kernel sources to kernel-source-2.6.7, and created a linux symlink.
I got a new error this time, which means something is finally moving:

"
ERROR: If you are using a Linux 2.4 kernel, please make sure
you either have configured kernel sources matching your
kernel or the correct set of kernel headers installed
on your system.

If you are using a Linux 2.6 kernel, please make sure
you have configured kernel sources matching your kernel
installed on your system. If you specified a separate
output directory using either the "KBUILD_OUTPUT" or
the "O" KBUILD parameter, make sure to specify this
directory with the SYSOUT environment variable or with
the appropriate nvidia-installer command line option.
"
since I used 2.6, It means I need to configure my kernel sources to match the actual kernel I have.
I should use make config, right? how will I know the correct options?

[gabuzo]

Originally Posted by omry_y

my kernel version is 2.6.7-1-386, so I got kernel-source-2.6.7 from apt.
now, it gave me the file '/usr/src/kernel-source-2.6.7.tar.bz2'
I tried to run the installer, and it said I can't find the source to the kernel - so I guess I should uncomress the source somewhere.

First question, what branch of debian are you using?

Anyway, to use the nvidia installer, you need to install the kernel header package, not the kernel_source.

[andyrock]

Maybe you have a 2.6.7-1-386.config in /boot/

if you have it, copy that file to /usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z/.config
cd /usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z
make prepare-all

then re-run the installer with --kernel-source-path=/usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z

good luck

[omry_y]

Originally Posted by gabuzo

First question, what branch of debian are you using?

Anyway, to use the nvidia installer, you need to install the kernel header package, not the kernel_source.

I use Sarge with 2.6.7-1.
as for the kernel headers, I tried it:
I got the kernel-headers-2.6.7-1 package, it installed into /usr/src/kernel-headers-2.6.7-1.
I symlinked it to /usr/src/linux, but I got the same error as in my previous message.

[omry_y]

Originally Posted by andyrock

Maybe you have a 2.6.7-1-386.config in /boot/

if you have it, copy that file to /usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z/.config
cd /usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z
make prepare-all

then re-run the installer with --kernel-source-path=/usr/src/linux-X-Y-Z

good luck

Nope, no such file.
I did not compile the kernel myself, maybe thats why its not there.

[Soluzar]

First off: Don't panic. This is still going to work. My advice to you would be to compile a custom kernel. There are options which might be in the standard Debian kernel which may conflict with the nVidia driver.
Since you will be compiling your own kernel, you may or may not need to remove the 'kernel-headers' package. I think since you are building your own kernel it is unneeded at best, and counterproductive at worst.
As for what kernel-config options to choose, provide a full spec of your hardware, and I can tell you what you probably need. It's not too hard. It's easiest to learn by doing, and once you've done it a few times you'll be an old hand at it.

[omry_y]

Soluzar, what would building a custom kernel achieve?
can you please contact me in a more direct way? to get faster response times?
icq/msn messenger/yahoo messenger/irc, tell me which you prefer, if any, and I`ll give you the contact info.

[Soluzar]

Custom kernels are usually faster, and there is at least a couple of kernel options that are usually compiled into standard kernels which may conflict with the nvidia driver. If you'd rather not compile a custom kernel, then you can do without. As to more direct contact, check your PMs.

[Lithorus]

Originally Posted by Soluzar

@Lithorus: That HOWTO you posted the link to refers to Gentoo as a 'derivative' of Debian. Is that correct? It does not use the .deb package format AFAICT...

To be honest I just did a google for a howto and it was one of the first to show up, I never read it completely and I'm sure it would help the guy.

@omry_y : If you are using a stock kernel(if it came with debian) you can just add non-free to your sources.list and install the one that fits your kernel. They have the latest drivers in the apt database. If you are unsure of what I'm talking about, you should get a little familiar with the apt system in debian, it's worth the time, beleive me. The how-to I linked to explains a little about it, also about installing them with custom kernels(eventhough he might be wrong about where gentoo came from )

[omry_y]

Originally Posted by Lithorus

To be honest I just did a google for a howto and it was one of the first to show up, I never read it completely and I'm sure it would help the guy.

@omry_y : If you are using a stock kernel(if it came with debian) you can just add non-free to your sources.list and install the one that fits your kernel. They have the latest drivers in the apt database. If you are unsure of what I'm talking about, you should get a little familiar with the apt system in debian, it's worth the time, beleive me. The how-to I linked to explains a little about it, also about installing them with custom kernels(eventhough he might be wrong about where gentoo came from )

I already have none-free in my sources.list, but all I get when I search are binary modules for kernel 2.4.