Question for kernel expert

[Frans]

On Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:05:00 -0600, Mike Adolf wrote:

> Frans wrote:
>> On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:51:06 -0600, Mike Adolf wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I have been attempting to install a tv tuner, pctv 800i, chipset
>>> cx23883-39.  I bought this after reading in the mythtv wiki that it
>>> worked under linux and that all one had to do was extract firmware
>>> file from a windows file and build and install the latest v4l driver
>>> tree.
>>>     
>>>     
>> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Pinnacle_PCTV_HD_Card_(800i)
>> doesn't say you *have* to build and install the latest v4l driver tree,
>> just that the latest v4l driver tree has support for the card ;-)
>>  
>>  
>>> WELL! I tried that and it corrupted the kernel (2.6.24-21) so it would
>>> no longer boot.  Through help from members of this list I was able to
>>> reinstall (2.6.24-21). Determined to get this tuner installed I
>>> returned to the Mythtv wiki and noticed the fine print that said if
>>> you try this with Hardy it will destroy a couple of alsa related
>>> modules (cx88-alsa being one of them).  Why, because alsa was not
>>> compiled into the kernel.
>>>  Several kernels have been released since Hardy was released.
>>>
>>> How can I tell if alsa is compile (2.6.24-21)?  I did not see it using
>>> lsmod. The only alsa module showing up is cx88-alsa. The alsa base
>>> support files are installed.  I read that a bug has been fixed and
>>> alsa-driver 1.0.16 can now be used. It can be downloaded from
>>>
>>> https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/alsa-driver/1.0.16-0ubuntu4
>>>
>>> I have used linux for many years and this is the first time I hit a
>>> brick wall.  Can I, one with moderate system knowledge, install this
>>> alsa-driver in the kernel?  Can someone out there help!
>>>
>>> OH BTW the mythtv fix is to install vanilla 2.6.25 kernal from source.
>>> But I'm not about to try this.  Who knows how many patches Ubuntu put
>>> in the kernels they distribute.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>     
>>>     
>> Reading https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/220857 "build and
>> install the latest v4l driver tree" on Ubuntu Hardy gives problems for
>> which no good solution has been found yet.
>>
>> However, on an updated Hardy I get this: frans at frans-desktop-ubuntu:~$
>> modinfo
>> /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-
dvb.ko
>> filename:      
>> /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-
dvb.ko
>> license:        GPL
>> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs] author:    
>>     Chris Pascoe <c.pascoe at itee.uq.edu.au> description:    driver for
>> cx2388x based DVB cards
>>
>> frans at frans-desktop-ubuntu:~$ modinfo
>> /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/
cx88xx.ko
>> filename:      
>> /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/
cx88xx.ko
>> license:        GPL
>> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs]
>> description:    v4l2 driver module for cx2388x based TV cards
>>
>> so it seems either the cx88-dvb or the cx88xx module should work for
>> you, probably the first if you want to use digital tv sources.
>>
>> If you really need a new module version for your card:
>>
>> Running the Intrepid beta live CD I get this: ubuntu at ubuntu:~$ modinfo
>> /lib/modules/2.6.27-4-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-
dvb.ko
>> filename:      
>> /lib/modules/2.6.27-4-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-
dvb.ko
>> license:        GPL
>> author:         Gerd Knorr <kraxel at bytesex.org> [SuSE Labs] author:    
>>     Chris Pascoe <c.pascoe at itee.uq.edu.au> description:    driver for
>> cx2388x based DVB cards
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>>     -Frans
>>
>>
>>
> Frans,
> If a .ko file is present does that mean it is installed in the kernel?
> If I do a lsmod I see an entry for cx88xx but not cx88-dvb. If it is
> there, I guess I'm just out of luck. tvtime gives the error "videoinput:
> Can't get tuner info: Invalid argument" and kdetv starts off with the
> error "ALSA lib control.c:909:(snd_ctl_open_noupdate) Invalid CTL" and
> is followed by nothing but errors. Maybe I'll try the live CD.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mike

The modules listed in sub-directories of /lib/modules/2.6.24-21-generic/ 
are loadable kernel modules for the 2.6.24-21-generic kernel. They are 
not compiled into the kernel but can be loaded into the kernel when 
needed.

lsmod shows the modules that are actually loaded.

HTH,

    -Frans