Re: Kernel Source - Fedora Core 3

Jörg and Alexander,

Thanks very much for your input. I am still baffled by this.

The point is that when using Fedora, new kernel updates are released in
RPM form. So each time a new update is available I simply install it
using Fedora's up2date system and (under FC2) install at the same time
another RPM with the corresponding kernel source code. I then boot into
the new kernel - which won't have Internet because my at76c503-rfmd
driver has been compiled against the previous kernel. All I had to do
however, was "cd /wireless/at76c503" (my driver directory) and run "make
&& make install", reboot, and Hey Presto a fully updated system with
working Internet.

Now however - with FC3 - that no longer works. They no longer release
kernel sourcecode RPM as stated in my previous posting.

Alexander is suggesting I rebuild the kernel. Well I will do so if that
is the only option, but it does seem a little heavy-handed given that I
have a fully-functional (albeit with no Internet) up-to-date kernel and,
as Fedora release kernel updates roughly twice per month it will be a
bit of a pain to do each time.

> > Building the at76c503 against this kernel failed.
> 
> How did it fail? Please post the steps and error outputs during the driver
> build.

Well, to be honest it didn't actually fail. There were a couple of
"warning" messages which I think (if my memory serves) were there
before. What I meant was that having compiled it, it did not actually
work. Sorry - not very precise language for a (non-technical) IT
professional.

> > I have tried (really!) to follow the instructions here http://wftp.tu-
> > chemnitz.de/pub/linux/fedora-core/3/i386/os/RELEASE-NOTES-en.html, and
> > have done so as faithfully as I could as far as step 4. I'm not sure if
> > I should do step 5 (make oldconfig) or even if I've done steps 1-4
> > correctly.
> 
> You must exec. step 5 in order to generate header files containing the
> kernel configuration (among other things).

OK. Well I have re-run this entire process, following the instructions
to the letter, *including* step 5 - "make oldconfig". Still no joy.

> > The bottom line is that when I build the driver I still get the
> > following error :
> >
> > [root@localhost ~]# /sbin/modprobe at76c503-rfmd
> > WARNING: Error inserting at76c503
> > (/lib/modules/2.6.10-1.770_FC3/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/at76c503/at76c503.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)
> > FATAL: Error inserting at76c503_rfmd
> > (/lib/modules/2.6.10-1.770_FC3/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/at76c503/at76c503-rfmd.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)
> > [root@localhost ~]#
> 
> Which symbol is missing (look into dmesg output)?

This is my dmesg output...

[mark@localhost ~]$ dmesg | grep at76
/wireless/at76c503a/at76_usbdfu.c: USB Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU)
handler v0.12beta22-static loading
at76c503: Unknown symbol get_user_size
at76c503: Unknown symbol put_user_size
at76c503_rfmd_acc: Unknown symbol at76c503_delete_device
at76c503_rfmd_acc: Unknown symbol at76c503_do_probe
[mark@localhost ~]$

Am I on the wrong track altogether? Is this problem actually caused by
having the wrong kernel/sourcecode combination or is it due to something
else entirely?

If so, what could it be?

If not, how do I check that I now (after steps 1-5) have the right
sourcecode in the right place?

Surely I am not alone in this - there must be someone else on this list
who is using a at76c503-rfmd and FC3?

I apologise if this is off-topic for this list but it is extremely
frustrating to have a shiny new kernel sitting there with no Internet,
whilst I am consigned to using an earlier kernel with, I presume,
possible security flaws for my Internet access.

Thanks for your help....

Mark

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