ld does not recognize nasm output format

[Freanan]

I want to use a start-routine in assembler to set up idt and jump to the c-main-function.
I use

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nasmw -o start.o start.asm -f aout

to assemble the startup stuff (also tried -f obj instead of aout) and

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gcc -c -ffreestanding -o kernel.o kernel.c

to compile the main file.
Both things worked, but linking it together with

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ld -Ttext 0x1000 --oformat binary -o kernel.bin start.o kernel.o 

does not work, instead i get a message, that the format of start.o is not recognized.

But i remember that this worked back when i had a linux system...
What do i have to do to link my kernel?
Do i have to install linux again... or is there any possibility to link it under windows?
Thanks.

[pini]

I'm compiling asm code to elf with nasm, and ld never complained about that.

[K.J.]

nasmw -o start.o start.asm -f aout

Try:
nasmw -o start.o -f aout start.asm

K.J.

[Freanan]

nasmw -o start.o start.asm -f aout

Try:
nasmw -o start.o -f aout start.asm

K.J.

Tried it, but it did not make any diference.

Since i have a new DevC++ with new gcc and ld, i cannot even build .bins from gcc-only-kernel files!
I always get 'PE operation in non-PE file'.
So i can only code in assembler until i get linux again >:(!

[Therx]

I use NASM under windows with ld and it works but instead of:-

-f aout

I use:-

-f coff

Try that

Pete

[nwp]

I have the same problem. Here are some nasm options and the corresponding ld errors:
-f aout/rdf -> file format not recognized
-f coff/win32/win64 -> error: COFF format does not support any special symbol types
-f elf/elf32/elf64 -> cannot perform PE operations on non PE output file
-f obj -> error: OBJ supports no special symbol features for this symbol type
-f ieee -> error: unrecognised symbol type `function'
-f as86 -> error: as86 format does not support any special symbol types

Somehow I run out of nasm output formats.
The whole thing is supposed to run on Win7x64 using minGW.
Previously I used djgpp, which is a gcc port for Windows for DOS programs and therefore could read the coff format. Unfortunately it also consists of 16bit programs that do not run on 64bit Windows.

It would be nice if someone knows of a C/C++-Compiler with a Linker that can read some format that nasm can produce.

[Combuster]

Your exact error message is in the FAQ. Please search before posting.

[Solar]

The whole thing is supposed to run on Win7x64 using minGW.
Previously I used djgpp...

The Wiki on MinGW:

Really, you're advised not to use MinGW for OSDeving, but instead to use Cygwin.

The Wiki on DJGPP:

While DJGPP has been widely used for OS development in the past, it's close connection to MS-DOS and compatibility problems with Windows XP have caused most Windows users to shift to Cygwin or MinGW. DJGPP must be considered obsolete by now.

It would be nice if someone knows of a C/C++-Compiler with a Linker that can read some format that nasm can produce.

The Wiki knows, and it's called Cygwin and GCC Cross-Compiler.

A hint: Cygwin provides a very useful utility called 'file'. When your toolchain gives you problems, call 'file <filename>' to get information of what format a given file actually is in.