Hundreds of modprobe errors with Gentoo

[Skithextrm]

So I did a complete Stage 1 install of Gentoo and had no issues. Bootstrap went well, kernel compiled with no serious issues. When I log in with root, I get no modprobe errors. When I log in with ny mormal everyday user, I get a list of what seems like hundres of modprobe: can't find module xx for device /dev/xxx etc. From what I can see, most of the modprobe errors come from the /dev/xxx category. After searching the Gentoo forums, I found a few people who had similar situations. For one, the problem had to do with cuspd, which I don't have installed. The other dealt with metalog not being installed, but I do have metalog installed. I've double and triple checked my kernel-config, making sure that I have all the things I need in there. I've recompiled it at least 4 times, trying 'make clean' in two instances and 'make mrproper' in the other instances. The final configuration I made sure everything was built-in; I didn't compile anything as a module and still I'm getting the same error. When I get home, I'm going to remove metalog and reboot to see if that works, then emerge metalog again once I get this straightened out. That seems like it's my last option so that's why I've come here from some help. I appreciate any that you all can pass my way.

Thanks,
Jon

[Hayl]

- did you compile devfs into your kernel ?

- is /usr/src/linux a symlink to /usr/src/<whatever kernel sourcecode you are using> ?

[Skithextrm]

After revisiting my G4L searches, I realized that many people are having this kind of issue, and for some it seems to be resolved automagically somehow and for others it never goes away. I'm starting to think that it is metalog that's causing the problems, because the built-in kernel modules ARE being loaded -- if they weren't I wouldn't have networking and the other missing module errors that I was getting on boot would still be appearing which they aren't. Also, these missing module errors seem like they don't have any effect -- I've yet to install X or anything else for that matter, but I'm thinking that I could have a go at it without any issues. It's just super annoying to see 3 screens worth of error messages scroll everytime you log in. Anyways, I'm still working towards a solution, hopefully you pros in here can shoot some info to me.

Thanks all,
jon

[Skithextrm]

Yes, devfs is compiled in and automounted at boot. My first compile I didn't have it automounted, but the change didn't have any effect.

Thanks,
Jon

[mdwatts]

You could try removing and readding the user. ??

[sarah31]

i am thinking it may be all in ther way you created your user.

have you run depmod -a?

[Skithextrm]

Originally posted by mdwatts
You could try removing and readding the user. ??

I'll try that as well -- from what I've read, the person who was in the most similar situation resolved the problem by emerging metalog. Now, I have it installed already, but I'll remove it and then reboot to see what happens. If it fixes the issue, I'll try emerging it again to see if the problem stays fixed. If it happens again then I'll know that the problem is with metalog and I'll go with another logger.

Thanks,
Jon

[Skithextrm]

Originally posted by sarah31
i am thinking it may be all in ther way you created your user.

have you run depmod -a?

I've run depmod, not with the -a option though. I'll try that as well. Could you explain to me why it may be the way I created the user? This is how I added the user:

useradd jon -m -G users,wheel, audio -s /bin/bash

passwd jon


Thanks,
Jon

[Skithextrm]

I think I found a solution. I was checking out the Gentoo bug reports and more searches of their forums with keyworks "modprobe" and "/dev" and came up with this (http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic.php?t=63423&highlight=modprobe+errors) thread on the Gentoo forums. I guess the problem was the interaction between devfs and PAM, and editing the /etc/devfsd.conf file has taken care of the issue for a lot of people. So, I'll edit that file when I get home and let you know how it works. It would have been unfortunate to move back to another distro; my compile times with Gentoo have dropped significantly. Anyways, I've got my fingers crossed.

Thanks all for your help,
Jon

< searching keywords >
gentoo modprobe modules /dev devfs

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Skithextrm

< searching keywords >
gentoo modprobe modules /dev devfs

:cool:

[Skithextrm]

Originally posted by mdwatts
:cool:

Yeah, there's a whole post on the Gentoo forums about why searches don't come up with meaningful results. I spent hours perusing them and I just found that post. Anyways, just trying to make things easier for everyone.

Cheers,
Jon

[azambuja]

I'll even bookmark this post. In case I ever use Gentoo or see anyone else running into the same problem. By the way.. that "< searching keywords >" idea is really good. Congratz for the guy who came up with it (and thanks for everyone who uses it).

Good luck,
Fernando Azambuja - eth1r

[Skithextrm]

Originally posted by azambuja
By the way.. that "< searching keywords >" idea is really good. Congratz for the guy who came up with it (and thanks for everyone who uses it).

You can thank mdwatts for that -- check his sig for the full post.


Cheers,
Jon