Driver compiling - my way

[ozsouth]

Driver compiling - I do this:

Need 3-4GB ram or 2GB & swap file/partition.
Need recent driver source file i.e. rtl8192eu-master.zip
Need devx for the puppy required & kernel sources for it's kernel.
Boot into puppy required live (no save folder/partition).
Install (no copy) devx, then kernel sources (click on them in roxfiler).
unzip source code & cd into that folder & run
make clean
& then run
make
If no errors, should produce .ko driver file i.e. 8192eu.ko
copy .ko to a safe place, then uninstall kernel sources & devx.
Reboot into puppy you made driver for.
Copy driver into appropriate folder & run depmod (& maybe modprobe).
If you save when quitting, driver also available next boot.

Example:
8192eu.ko for kernel 4.19.23 goes in
/lib/modules/4.19.23/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtlwifi/rtl8192eu
(need to create last folder) & then must run
depmod
to make driver available.
If usb, plug in (should detect) or if onboard adaptor, run
modprobe 8192eu

[rocas58xx]

Hi again Ozsouth,
I used your method to build my own rtl8192eu for Xenialpup64-7.5 kernel 4.9.58 and for the older Slacko64-6.3.2 kernel 4.1.11 downloading from https://github.com/Mange/rtl8192eu-linux-driver.git the zipped source files with success! With Slacko64 no wifi adapter driver was found, but with your suggestions and placing the new driver 8192eu.ko in /lib/modules/4.1.11/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8192 to make it work properly I quickly connected my pups to my router. Again many tnx for your great help!

[davids45]

G'day ozsouth,

I found your original answer to the rtl8192eu wifi driver issue that led to this thread and wondered if there is a repository in Puppydom for these and other specially compiled drivers? For non-compilers .

Recently, I had to buy a TP-Link TL-WN823N USB wifi dongle that the box claimed had "Linux Support", this dongle the cheapest of a limited range due to the corona-virus emptying of shelves of computer stuff, not just toilet paper.

I discovered the Puppy default driver was the unsatisfactory rtl8xxxu but thanks to your compiling and uploading of the Bionic64 version and instructions for blacklisting the dud, it now works in Bionic64-8.0. Just had to change this computer default from 32-bit BionicPup.

So I thought I'd ask generally about a specific repository for Wifi drivers?
The Forum 'Drivers' section doesn't have sub-sections such as Graphics, Printers and Wifi, with all driver issues together.

Thanks again for the rtl8192eu driver,

David S.

[ozsouth]

@David S - unfortunately it's a 'dog's brekky'. Drivers are usually made in response to a request, thought being that hardware changes so often drivers will only be needed for a short time & can be searched for if needed again. Devs sometimes store them. A broadcom forum section (wl) is in Hardware/Networking. A smallish general driver collection is here: https://archive.org/download/Puppy_Linu ... river_Repo

[enrique]

Nice. Thanks

[davids45]

G'day ozsouth,
Thanks.
The general driver collection may come in handy next time I have to buy a 'Linux Support' peripheral - if not, it looks like your 'How To".
David S.