Please note that unpacking the MAKEDEV-&makedev-version;.bz2 file doesn't create a directory for you to cd into, as the file contains one shell script. Install the MAKEDEV script: bzcat MAKEDEV-&makedev-version;.bz2 > /dev/MAKEDEV chmod 754 /dev/MAKEDEV Run the script to create the device files: cd /dev ./MAKEDEV -v generic-nopty If a device you need is missing, try running ./MAKEDEV -v <device>. Alternatively, you may create devices via the mknod program. Please refer to the man and info pages of mknod if you need more information.