I can't compile the RTL8188CE driver I need; am I forgetting something?

Now, after a ton looking around I was finally able to find what wlan card I have (Realtek 8188ce). I downloaded the source code from their website- lucky for me they had Linux support- and started following the installation instructions in the readme.

I went to the root directory of the driver, went into “Super User” mode,
(sudo su)

but when I get to compiling (make) I get this error:

make: *** /lib/modules/2.6.34.7-0.5-default/build: No such file or directory. Stop.
make: *** [all] Error 2

Now, do I need to install something as a prerequisite, or what? I don’t want to have to plug in the Ethernet cable every time I want to use the internet.

I own a Toshiba Satellite L655-S5096 or a Satellite L655 PSK2CU-01Q01S according to Smolt: Show Box

Any help would be appreciated!

On 12/10/2010 02:06 PM, XypherWolf wrote:
>
> Now, after a ton looking around I was finally able to find what wlan
> card I have (Realtek 8188ce). I downloaded the source code from their
> website- lucky for me they had Linux support- and started following the
> installation instructions in the readme.
>
> I went to the root directory of the driver, went into “Super User”
> mode,
> (sudo su)
>
> but when I get to compiling (make) I get this error:
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> make: *** /lib/modules/2.6.34.7-0.5-default/build: No such file or directory. Stop.
> make: *** [all] Error 2
> --------------------
>
>
> Now, do I need to install something as a prerequisite, or what? I don’t
> want to have to plug in the Ethernet cable every time I want to use the
> internet.
>
> I own a Toshiba Satellite L655-S5096 or a Satellite L655 PSK2CU-01Q01S
> according to Smolt: ‘Show Box’ (http://tinyurl.com/2ee47t5)
>
> Any help would be appreciated!

To compile any out-of-kernel module, you need the kernel headers or the full
kernel source. The missing file is a link to the headers. Installing the
kernel-devel package and creating the link will get you wnat you need. Do the
following:


sudo zypper in kernel-devel
sudo ln -s /usr/src/linux /lib/modules/2.6.34.7-0.5-default/build

The driver from the Realtek site might not work. A lot of their drivers are OK
in a 32-bit system, but fail for 64 bits. There is a driver that does work
currently in the review process for inclusion in kernel 2.6.38. If the one you
have now fails, then the following will work:


sudo zypper in git
git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/lwfinger /rtl8192ce.git
cd rtl8192ce
zcat /proc/config.gz .config
make -jN
sudo make modules_install install
sudo mkdir /lib/firmware/rtlwiwi

Although it says 8192ce in the above, the driver also works for the 8188CE. In
the “make” step, the value of N should be the number that is 1 larger than the
number of CPUs on your system. That step will ask you some configuration
questions. Use the default (just a return) for all but the one that mentions the
“RTL8192CE/RTL8188CE”. You need an “m” there.

Please note the the “git clone” step will download more than 200 MB and take a
lot of disk space. To restrict that, add “–depth 1000” after “clone” in that
statement.

After the above finishes, you will have a new entry for kernel 2.6.37 in your
GRUB menu. You should also copy the firmware from the source from the Realtek
site to /lib/firmware/rtlwifi.

As 2.6.37 is a work in progress and is updated regularly, you will need to
upgrade once in a while. You can do this by


cd rtl8192ce
git pull
make -jN
sudo make modules_install install

Thanks for the help, but I do have one question. The realtek driver works, but would I have been better off getting the latter option or should I stay with the one I just installed?

On 12/10/2010 04:06 PM, XypherWolf wrote:
>
> Thanks for the help, but I do have one question. The realtek driver
> works, but would I have been better off getting the latter option or
> should I stay with the one I just installed?

I do not know. I have spent the last 2 months cleaning up the copy I got
privately from Realtek and have not looked at the one they posted on the site.
There were some substantial changes, but they might not hurt you. As long as you
have no problems, stay with what you have now.

Hang onto that source code, as you will need to rebuild the driver every time
the kernel is updated.