[PATCH] 2.4.22 precedes 0.9.9 in module-init-tools of course

[PATCH] 2.4.22 precedes 0.9.9 in module-init-tools of course

[Pat LaVarre]

> From: linux-2.6.0-test4/Documentation/Changes
> o  module-init-tools      0.9.9                   # depmod -V

Newbie me, I was slow to imagine that depmod -V could be helpfully
reporting two independent series of version numbers, the older prefaced
with "depmod version ", the newer prefaced with "module-init-tools ".

I wrongly thought that 2.4.22 was 0.9.9 or better, even when I saw the
modprobe complaint:
QM_MODULES: Function not implemented

Therefore I propose the following patch.

Pat LaVarre

--- linux-2.6.0-test4/Documentation/Changes	2003-08-22 18:00:12.000000000 -0600
+++ linux/Documentation/Changes	2003-09-03 15:18:30.691529216 -0600
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@
 o  procps                 2.0.9                   # ps --version
 o  oprofile               0.5.3                   # oprofiled --version
 
+Also upgrade your module-init-tools if your depmod -V gives you a
+"depmod version" rather than a "module-init-tools" version.
+
 Kernel compilation
 ==================
 

[PATCH] 2.4.22 precedes 0.9.9 in module-init-tools of course

[Pat LaVarre]

I think newbies still need a more emphatic hint, such as:

--- linux-2.6.0-test5/Documentation/Changes	2003-09-08 13:50:28.000000000 -0600
+++ linux/Documentation/Changes	2003-09-11 16:09:12.155352016 -0600
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@
 encountered a bug!  If you're unsure what version you're currently
 running, the suggested command should tell you.
 
+Except also upgrade your module-init-tools if your depmod -V gives
+you a "depmod version" rather than a "module-init-tools" version.
+
 Again, keep in mind that this list assumes you are already
 functionally running a Linux 2.4 kernel.  Also, not all tools are
 necessary on all systems; obviously, if you don't have any PCMCIA (PC

Sure, 2.6.0-test5 helps some with:

$ cp /etc/redhat-release /dev/null
$ time sudo make install modules_install
...
Warning: you may need to install module-init-tools
See http://www.codemonkey.org.uk/post-halloween-2.5.txt
...

But I believe that hint is insufficient, because I know back when I was
mystified, that url was unreachable.

I admit Google did eventually direct me to the seemingly more available
alternate:
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/davej/misc/post-halloween-2.5.txt

Pat LaVarre

P.S. A fresh, but more complete, quote of what once mystified me is:

$ uname -r
2.4.20-6smp
$ /sbin/depmod -V
depmod version 2.4.22
depmod: Can't open /lib/modules/2.4.20-6smp/modules.dep for writing
$ sudo /sbin/depmod -V
depmod version 2.4.22
$
...

$ uname -r
2.6.0-test5
$ sudo /sbin/modprobe sr_mod
modprobe: QM_MODULES: Function not implemented

modprobe: QM_MODULES: Function not implemented

modprobe: Can't locate module sr_mod
$

Since being demystified, I've adopted a procedure I discovered only by
combining in order from module-init-tools all of man depmod, May
./README, Feb ./FAQ, Nov ./INSTALL:

cp /sbin/lsmod /dev/null
./configure --prefix=/
make
./depmod -V
sudo make moveold
sudo make install
sudo ./generate-modprobe.conf /etc/modprobe.conf
sudo vi /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit +/USEMODULES=

I see I should also submit a patch elsewhere for the module-init-tools
README and FAQ.  I believe the INSTALL is incorrect by design (by being
generic).