need help with Linux kernel modules installation

[Dukelord]

Hi there....I just installed kernel 2.6.18.3 yesterday.I'm having trouble installing some modules in kernel 2.6.18.3 on my Redhat 9.2...It gives me a couple of errors......Stuffs like my mouse don't work well....my USB ports don't work at all..my sound....e.t.c....What can I do....I'm thinking that my old modutil version isn't compatible with this kernel version,so I downloaded the latest modutil version....modutil 2.4.9....Do you think it will work?Pls someone help....Thanks...

[Kraelis]

Hm... sorry, can't help you there. Last I touched Redhat 9 was what, 3 years ago? Why not try a newer flavor of Linux, if at least only for updated drivers.

[KillerShots]

What procedure did you use to install the kernel? Did you compile it and forget to run "make modules_install"? Did you try tailoring it (Asking because maybe you chose the wrong options while tailoring)? Need more data...

EDIT: I think this belongs in the software section as it has nothing to do with programming nor web sites

[Dukelord]

How can I go about installing a new Linux version on my existing Linux version?can you pls give me a detailed guide

Originally Posted by KillerShots

What procedure did you use to install the kernel? Did you compile it and forget to run "make modules_install"? Did you try tailoring it (Asking because maybe you chose the wrong options while tailoring)? Need more data...

EDIT: I think this belongs in the software section as it has nothing to do with programming nor web sites

I ran the commant make modules_install

[KillerShots]

Ok, then the other possibility is that you have not booted that kernel. What pops up when you run uname -a? Is it the right kernel version?

[Dukelord]

Yeah I've booted the new kernel....when the boot screen loads up,I get a couple of kernel module failed errors....I used uname -a.....kernel version2.6.18.3

[Betamax]

Moved to software.

If I was to hazard a guess I'd say that it's trying to load some modules from the old kernel at bootup...

[Dukelord]

So...do you have any idea what I can do about this?

[DoktorSeven]

Basically it sounds like the custom kernel does not support all of your devices. It's best with most distros to either stick with what kernel is given to you or just upgrade the system. Redhat 9.2 is rather old; I would move up to Fedora Core (whatever the latest version is, I don't keep up with FC) and you'll get a new updated kernel in the process.

If you really want to make your old one work, go through the make menuconfig step and be sure all of the appropriate selections are chosen as modules (anything required to boot, like your hard drive controllers, need to be compiled into the kernel, not as modules!). Then do a full make && make modules_install again, and see if there are any improvements.

(No, it wouldn't try to use the old modules; modules are always loaded from /lib/modules/`uname -r`/ which will point to the current kernel's modules.)

Plus if you have any modules that have to be compiled separately from the kernel (like the NVidia drivers), you will have to recompile those when you boot into your new kernel (make sure /usr/src/linux is symlinked to your kernel source directory).

Good luck.

[KillerShots]

Ok, your uname -a is telling us that you are at least booting the correct kernel... so that means that the kernel modules are causing the problems, not the other way around.

I'd check the directory structure and see if the modules are installed correctly. You should find them under /lib/modules/`uname -r` as DoktorSeven pointed out. Depending on whether they exist or not, we'll work from there.

Also, make sure your kernel sources are symlinked to /usr/src/linux

[Dukelord]

Thanks..I'll work on it an let you guys know how it goes...I may have to install a newer version of Linux...preferably Fedora....