FAQ: Why does make modules_install flag all symbols as missing?

[Keith Owens]

This FAQ should be a short term one, not worth adding to lkml faq.

Q.  Why does make modules_install flag all symbols as missing?
    
    make modules_install
    ...
    depmod -ae -F /boot/System.map-2.4.19 2.4.19

    All symbols are reported as missing.

A.  binutils 2.12.90.0.15 changed the format of the output from the nm
    command and broke modutils.  You need modutils >= 2.4.17 if you are
    running binutils >= 2.12.90.0.15.

For the curious, the symbol type for kstrtab and ksymtab in System.map
has been '?' since modules were added.  binutils 2.12.90.0.15 changed
the symbol type to 'R'.