Thus spake root: > I guess that I have to recompile the kernel. Which HOW TO do I read for > that? Also, I don't seem to have the lp module on my system at all. I > used the idepci kernel in the beginning. Perhaps I should go back and > use the compact kernel or one of the others. The idepci was the first > kernel version that would recognize my network cards. > Thanks for your help with this new linux user. > Michael
Ok - first, some basics. The linux kernel (I'm sure you know most of this, but you seem unsure about some aspects of it, so I'm going to repeat) handles the low level interface with your hardware, in addition to a bazillion other tasks. It seems from what you said that you installed a debianized kernel (which is good - it takes a lot of the guesswork out) and ran it as it was. That's fine, you just need to tweak a few things. You don't need to install a new version, you just need to recompile the one you've got - the idepci kernel version (I'm assuming 2.2.x ?) is just set up with the configurations for the hardware interface you're using - ide hardrives and pci slots for your cards. OK - enough sermon. A good link is: http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch-post-install.en.html This walks you through downloading and installing the debian-packaged kernel - for just a tweak, try: http://www.linux.com/howto/Kernel-HOWTO-2.html#ss2.1 This walks you through a Red Hat kernel compile. Note the make modules && make modules_install step - you should be able to just do that and not change your booting kernel (so long as you're using the same version & patch number). Just make sure that loadable module support is enabled (which I think it must be, since you can lsmod and so forth) and then enable parallel port line printer & compile. Good luck, Steve P.S. - make a boot disk before you do anything else: mkboot That way you can recover from any major errors. Also, I noticed that you sent this mail as root, that's probably safe enough, but try to reserve running as root for when you absolutely need to - practice safety from the beginning before you get into bad habits and hopefully you'll avoid some of the more interesting mistakes we;ve all made. -- What, still alive at twenty-two, A clean upstanding chap like you? Sure, if your throat 'tis hard to slit, Slit your girl's, and swing for it. Like enough, you won't be glad, When they come to hang you, lad: But bacon's not the only thing That's cured by hanging from a string. So, when the spilt ink of the night Spreads o'er the blotting pad of light, Lads whose job is still to do Shall whet their knives, and think of you. -- Hugh Kingsmill
