Newbie big problem

[showgun]

Error when I try to apt-get
No matter what I do
E: The package ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 needs to be reinstalled, but I can't find an archive for it.


I still have the package on my computer I also tried the to fix the problem with the synaptic package manager using the Broken but with out success.
I can't seem to be able to do much else until I can fix this problem.

Do not feel like formatting <LOL>

Thanks

[iwanabeguru]

is the package installed on your computer or only you have the package.

try
apt-get -f install

[showgun]

I did run the apt-get install ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb

and the package is still in my personal folder
I try running it again and get this
debian:/home/rick/Desktop/Downloads# apt-get install ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
E: The package ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 needs to be reinstalled, but I can't find an archive for it.

I also try with apt-get -f install ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb
and i get the same
debian:/home/rick/Desktop/Downloads# apt-get -f install ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
E: The package ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 needs to be reinstalled, but I can't find an archive for it.

ast this stage I am locke no update or installation possible before the above is solve...

Thanks

[TheBigPhish]

first issue...you are telling it (via your apt-get commands) to install a package, how ever, your modalities are wrong.

Apt-get hunts sources listed in "sources.list" for named packages in repositories. What you are trying to do is manually install a package with the wrong commands.

What you need is to use "dpkg" rather than "apt". Dpkg manually installs .deb files as local standalone files, which is what you are trying to do, while apt-get would require that package to be listed in your local-repositories for it to find.

7.1.2 APT

APT is the Advanced Package Tool and provides the apt-get program. apt-get provides a simple way to retrieve and install packages from multiple sources using the command line. Unlike dpkg, apt-get does not understand .deb files, it works with the packages proper name and can only install .deb archives from a source specified in /etc/apt/sources.list. apt-get will call dpkg directly after downloading the .deb archives[4] from the configured sources.

[showgun]

I ended up reintalling linux
now I just try to install the package again and here is what I get

debian:/home/rick/Desktop/Downloads# dpkg -i ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb
Selecting previously deselected package ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386.
(Reading database ... 65967 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 (from ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386:
ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 depends on kernel-image-2.6.8-2-386; however:
Package kernel-image-2.6.8-2-386 is not installed.
dpkg: error processing ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386 (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386


I am a bit confuse I know with the kernel can you have more than one installed in Linux
By the way I am back at that catch 22 where I can't do anything

THanks

[TheBigPhish]

ok, you appear to be attempting to install a kernel module / patch for a kernel that you are not running. What kernel are you running at this time? You are right, you can have more than one kernel on your system, but you can only have one loaded at one time...you might have 2 of them on there, but be running another one than you think.

post the results of "uname -a" plz...if you are running something other than 2.6.8-2-386, then it will likely not work...

if you are running something later than that, you might want to try a recompile with a patch for that hardware and it might work.

[showgun]

I am a newbie at linux so I hope I am doing this right.
looks like I am running vmlinuz-2.6.18-4-686

So if I understand you I can not run the file ltmodem-2.6.8-2-386_8.31a11_i386.deb
or is there a way

I am trying to get the modem going for faxing.

[IsaacKuo]

Doing a brief search for "ltmodem Debian", I think that you might be screwed. What little I found seems to be that for a recent kernel you might have to follow some detailed instructions to compile it from source. It's doable--but a daunting task for a Linux newbie.

Unfortunately, WinModems tend to have spotty support in non-Windows operating systems. If you just want something functional without much fuss, the most straightforward thing to do would be to buy a new modem (not a WinModem, obviously).

[TheBigPhish]

i would actually suggest against a "new" modem, per se...and push you off to find an old school external serial cable modem instead. This way, you can use standard comm ports and serial modem support that is well within the kernel as an established supported item, rather than these WinModem POSes that are floating around. I have a rather nice Practical Peripherals MC288MT II v.34 that i keep around, yeah it's one more thing on my desk, but it works flawlessly, is rather easy to repair should it break or this one finally die...but it's super easy to get working....

[showgun]

Switching to an external modem is in theory not a problem but there is still advantage to have internal modem or internal what ever hardware when ever possible desk spce and plugs <G>

Anyway I have two internal PCI modem one is a lucent and the other ESS which seem to be willing to get there <G>

I have started the install as recommende and here is what I get
debian:/home/rick/Desktop/Downloads/Modem/ess_2.6-v0.3# ./setup
checking for running kernel version...2.6.18
checking for gcc...4.1.2
checking for kernel gcc version...4.1.2
searching for kernel includes...** error
could not find any kernel sources in /usr/src
you have either not installed your kernel sources
or your kernel sources are installed in another place then
/usr/src/
please enter your correct kernel source tree, e.g. /usr/src/linux:

I have to assume the kernel is install or there would not be any OS working on my PC maybe that kernel is getting me confuse ?
Now when it is looking for the location kernel sources where should it be located? what is the file name?
any direction on this
THanks