[MLUG] stupid modules.conf trick #1037...

[Jonathan King <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Say, how many of you knew that a single syntax error in your modules.conf
file could wax your ability to use any of your kernel modules, including
those specified on lines not affected by the error?  So while trying to
get your cd-rw drive working, you mistype:

alias eth0 3c59x
# [correct stuff deleted...]
pre_install ide-scsi modprobe ide-cd

The error in the last line doesn't leap out at some people, yet one syntax
glitch in modules.conf is enough to wax your network interface.  Yes,
there are some (rapidly scrolling) modprobe error messages, but don't
expect to see them when you just do a "dmesg" after the reboot.  (To
be fair, mine were logged in /var/log/messages.)

Yes, if you were sufficiently clueless, you could end up spending a looong
time trying to get eth0 up while not realizing it was the lines concerning
the CD-RW drive you had temporarily given up on that you should have been
worrying about.

<sigh>

jking


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