make -C <path to kernel source> M=<module directory> is a command I know. The thing is, when I tried this (the kernel source was already linked via the build directory to /usr/src/kernel/2.6.31.6-145.fc12.i686 -- again, kinda odd and not what I'm used to, but was acceptable. In fact, the module I attempted expected this type of structure and attempted to link to that location. The problem is always the same:
make: No rule to make "missing-syscalls". A google search reveals that this is a corrupt kernel tree. So, I attempted to get the kernel-devel package. yum reports that this package is installed and is up to date. So, I start hacking. I get all the packages required (downloaded from the Mirror a Ga Tech) for the kernel-devel, and I force the reinstall using rpm. Same thing. Lather, rinse, repeat (as my wife likes to say).