how to install bz2 driver

[lanzaman]

I have a driver for a comtrend ct-350 usb adsl modem to install but I am not sure how to go about this.

 

The README file has the following line in it.

 

<<We need to have the source code of the running kernel in /usr/src/linux or a symbolic link to the real location.>>

 

I am very new to linux, as in yesterday, and haven't done any command line programming for ages other than MySQL stuff. So simple logical explanations will help.

 

I need really to know where to put the file comtrend_ct350_2.4.20.tar.bz2 and how to extract it, I can then follow the rest of the instructions in the README file.

 

I really need to get my connection up as I am currently dual booting and have to go back into windows every time I need to check how to do something on the web. I also need to get one or two other problems - no sound - ironed out but this will be much easier with my adsl up and running.

 

I am so far very pleased with Mandrake and would like to get rid of Windows as soon as possible so any help would be grafefully received.

 

If you need any more information please let me know.

[bobaloo]

The message is telling you that you need the kernel source code files. These are usually stored in a directory called /usr/src/linux-2.4.22mdk or whatever the kernel you're using is called. There is also normally a symbolic link called /usr/src/linux which points to the actual directory with the longer name. Check and see if you have any files installed in those directories. If you don't, you need the kernel-source RPM for the kernel you're running.

 

The reason you need this is that the driver is trying to compile a kernel module and needs the appropriate header files for your kernel in order to compile.

 

For the driver file itself, if you have KDE, just right-click on the file in Konqueror and choose Extract or open with Ark, and archiving utility. Extract the file, then go to a console window, cd to the directory with the driver files in it. Typically the install process is to type "./configure", then "make", finally login as root by typing "su" then "root" and your password. Finally type "make install".

[jdion81]

I dont want to confuse but if you use the command "su" it should then ask Password: (this is where you would type the password for your root account.)

 

su - run a shell with substitute user and group IDs

If USER not given, assume root

[lanzaman]

Thanks for your assistance, which leads me - as always - to more questions.

 

1. I don't have a /usr/src/linux or /usr/src/linux-2.4.22 file at all, presumably this means the kernel source files are not installed.

 

2. If this is the case do I need to download them from www.kernel.org

 

3. If this is not the case and they are just hiding somewhere, what do I do then.

 

4. With regard to the actual driver, the README file says unpack it then cd to the directory and run ./install, but doesn't mention anything about make install or anything, do I just run with what the README file says.

 

Many thanks

[SurfahBoy808]

well, for starters, to extract a b zipped file, you sign in as root by typing "su" in the console followed by the password when prompt.

 

then type "bunzip2 filename.bz2" so in your case you'd type "bunzip2 comtrend_ct350_2.4.20.tar.bz2" that will unzip it to a tarball. So from there you can extract the tarball and type "tar -xvf comtrend_ct350_2.4.20.tar"

 

 

if you feel fancy, you can do that all on 1 line: "bunzip2 comtrend_ct350_2.4.20.tar.bz2 && tar -xvf comtrend_ct350_2.4.20.tar"

 

even though you can use ark or something like that, it is very good to become familiar with the command line. :D