Removing builtin modules in Linux

Question

I'm currently attempting to remove the usbserial module in order to install a new driver module. When I attempt to remove the module I get the following issue:

[root@localhost xr21v141x-lnx-3.0-pak]# modprobe -r usbserial
FATAL: Module usbserial is builtin

How can I remove the usbserial module?

Solution

That means the module was compiled into the kernel. If you want to be able to unload it, you will have to compile a new kernel and have it built as a dynamically (un)loadable module instead.

Comments

[sj755]

Does this mean it's impossible to install a new driver module which uses usbserial?

[goldilocks]

A module which uses usbserial will be fine. One which is intended to replace usbserial -- I guess you can try, but as a guess I would say probably not.