diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 91a0af0d6b..03c5e785f1 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 2001-01-22  Andreas Jaeger  <aj@suse.de>
 
+	* configure.in: Add test for new enough binutils version, move
+	compiler/binutils test up.
+
 	* Versions.def: Add version GLIBC_2.2.2.
 
 2001-01-21  Ulrich Drepper  <drepper@redhat.com>
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 99ae7ac548..4555abb2e2 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1665,24 +1665,9 @@ if test $ac_verc_fail = yes; then
 fi
 
 
-if test -n "$critic_missing"; then
-{ echo "configure: error: 
-*** Some critical program is missing or too old.
-*** Check the INSTALL file for required versions." 1>&2; exit 1; }
-fi
-
-test -n "$aux_missing" && echo "configure: warning: 
-*** An auxiliary program is missing or too old;
-*** some features will be disabled.
-*** Check the INSTALL file for required versions." 1>&2
-
-# glibcbug.in wants to know the compiler version.
-CCVERSION=`$CC -v 2>&1 | sed -n 's/gcc version //p'`
-
-
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) works""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1686: checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) works" >&5
+echo "configure:1671: checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) works" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_cc_works'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1696,12 +1681,12 @@ cross_compiling=$ac_cv_prog_cc_cross
 
 cat > conftest.$ac_ext << EOF
 
-#line 1700 "configure"
+#line 1685 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 
 main(){return(0);}
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:1705: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
+if { (eval echo configure:1690: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
   ac_cv_prog_cc_works=yes
   # If we can't run a trivial program, we are probably using a cross compiler.
   if (./conftest; exit) 2>/dev/null; then
@@ -1732,7 +1717,7 @@ else
  cross_linkable=yes
 fi
 echo $ac_n "checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) is a cross-compiler""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1736: checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) is a cross-compiler" >&5
+echo "configure:1721: checking whether the C compiler ($CC $CFLAGS $LDFLAGS) is a cross-compiler" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_cc_cross'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1744,7 +1729,7 @@ echo "$ac_t""$ac_cv_prog_cc_cross" 1>&6
 cross_compiling=$ac_cv_prog_cc_cross
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether we are using GNU C""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1748: checking whether we are using GNU C" >&5
+echo "configure:1733: checking whether we are using GNU C" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_gcc'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1753,7 +1738,7 @@ else
   yes;
 #endif
 EOF
-if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -E conftest.c'; { (eval echo configure:1757: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; } | egrep yes >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -E conftest.c'; { (eval echo configure:1742: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; } | egrep yes >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   ac_cv_prog_gcc=yes
 else
   ac_cv_prog_gcc=no
@@ -1766,7 +1751,7 @@ if test $ac_cv_prog_gcc != yes; then
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking build system type""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1770: checking build system type" >&5
+echo "configure:1755: checking build system type" >&5
 
 build_alias=$build
 case "$build_alias" in
@@ -1789,7 +1774,7 @@ do
 # Extract the first word of "$ac_prog", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy $ac_prog; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1793: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:1778: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_BUILD_CC'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1821,7 +1806,7 @@ done
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking how to run the C preprocessor""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1825: checking how to run the C preprocessor" >&5
+echo "configure:1810: checking how to run the C preprocessor" >&5
 # On Suns, sometimes $CPP names a directory.
 if test -n "$CPP" && test -d "$CPP"; then
   CPP=
@@ -1836,13 +1821,13 @@ else
   # On the NeXT, cc -E runs the code through the compiler's parser,
   # not just through cpp.
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 1840 "configure"
+#line 1825 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 Syntax Error
 EOF
 ac_try="$ac_cpp conftest.$ac_ext >/dev/null 2>conftest.out"
-{ (eval echo configure:1846: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
+{ (eval echo configure:1831: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
 ac_err=`grep -v '^ *+' conftest.out | grep -v "^conftest.${ac_ext}\$"`
 if test -z "$ac_err"; then
   :
@@ -1853,13 +1838,13 @@ else
   rm -rf conftest*
   CPP="${CC-cc} -E -traditional-cpp"
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 1857 "configure"
+#line 1842 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 Syntax Error
 EOF
 ac_try="$ac_cpp conftest.$ac_ext >/dev/null 2>conftest.out"
-{ (eval echo configure:1863: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
+{ (eval echo configure:1848: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
 ac_err=`grep -v '^ *+' conftest.out | grep -v "^conftest.${ac_ext}\$"`
 if test -z "$ac_err"; then
   :
@@ -1870,13 +1855,13 @@ else
   rm -rf conftest*
   CPP="${CC-cc} -nologo -E"
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 1874 "configure"
+#line 1859 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 Syntax Error
 EOF
 ac_try="$ac_cpp conftest.$ac_ext >/dev/null 2>conftest.out"
-{ (eval echo configure:1880: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
+{ (eval echo configure:1865: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }
 ac_err=`grep -v '^ *+' conftest.out | grep -v "^conftest.${ac_ext}\$"`
 if test -z "$ac_err"; then
   :
@@ -1919,7 +1904,7 @@ if test $RANLIB = ranlib; then
 # Extract the first word of "${ac_tool_prefix}ranlib", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy ${ac_tool_prefix}ranlib; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1923: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:1908: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_RANLIB'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1951,7 +1936,7 @@ if test -n "$ac_tool_prefix"; then
   # Extract the first word of "ranlib", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy ranlib; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1955: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:1940: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_RANLIB'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -1988,7 +1973,7 @@ fi
 
 # Determine whether we are using GNU binutils.
 echo $ac_n "checking whether $AS is GNU as""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:1992: checking whether $AS is GNU as" >&5
+echo "configure:1977: checking whether $AS is GNU as" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_prog_as_gnu'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2007,7 +1992,7 @@ rm -f a.out
 gnu_as=$libc_cv_prog_as_gnu
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether $LD is GNU ld""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2011: checking whether $LD is GNU ld" >&5
+echo "configure:1996: checking whether $LD is GNU ld" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_prog_ld_gnu'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2027,7 +2012,7 @@ gnu_ld=$libc_cv_prog_ld_gnu
 # Extract the first word of "${ac_tool_prefix}mig", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy ${ac_tool_prefix}mig; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2031: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2016: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_MIG'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2057,6 +2042,77 @@ fi
 
 
 
+# Accept binutils 2.10.1 or newer (and also any ia64 2.9 version)
+for ac_prog in $AS
+do
+# Extract the first word of "$ac_prog", so it can be a program name with args.
+set dummy $ac_prog; ac_word=$2
+echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
+echo "configure:2052: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_AS'+set}'`\" = set"; then
+  echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
+else
+  if test -n "$AS"; then
+  ac_cv_prog_AS="$AS" # Let the user override the test.
+else
+  IFS="${IFS= 	}"; ac_save_ifs="$IFS"; IFS=":"
+  ac_dummy="$PATH"
+  for ac_dir in $ac_dummy; do
+    test -z "$ac_dir" && ac_dir=.
+    if test -f $ac_dir/$ac_word; then
+      ac_cv_prog_AS="$ac_prog"
+      break
+    fi
+  done
+  IFS="$ac_save_ifs"
+fi
+fi
+AS="$ac_cv_prog_AS"
+if test -n "$AS"; then
+  echo "$ac_t""$AS" 1>&6
+else
+  echo "$ac_t""no" 1>&6
+fi
+
+test -n "$AS" && break
+done
+
+if test -z "$AS"; then
+  ac_verc_fail=yes
+else
+  # Found it, now check the version.
+  echo $ac_n "checking version of $AS""... $ac_c" 1>&6
+echo "configure:2086: checking version of $AS" >&5
+  ac_prog_version=`$AS --version 2>&1 | sed -n 's/^.*GNU assembler.* \([0-9]*\.[0-9.]*\(-ia64-[0-9]*\)*\).*$/\1/p'`
+  case $ac_prog_version in
+    '') ac_prog_version="v. ?.??, bad"; ac_verc_fail=yes;;
+    2.10.[1-9]* | 2.1[1-9]* | 2.9-ia64-*)
+       ac_prog_version="$ac_prog_version, ok"; ac_verc_fail=no;;
+    *) ac_prog_version="$ac_prog_version, bad"; ac_verc_fail=yes;;
+
+  esac
+  echo "$ac_t""$ac_prog_version" 1>&6
+fi
+if test $ac_verc_fail = yes; then
+  AS=: critic_missing=t
+fi
+
+
+if test -n "$critic_missing"; then
+{ echo "configure: error: 
+*** Some critical program is missing or too old.
+*** Check the INSTALL file for required versions." 1>&2; exit 1; }
+fi
+
+test -n "$aux_missing" && echo "configure: warning: 
+*** An auxiliary program is missing or too old;
+*** some features will be disabled.
+*** Check the INSTALL file for required versions." 1>&2
+
+# glibcbug.in wants to know the compiler version.
+CCVERSION=`$CC -v 2>&1 | sed -n 's/gcc version //p'`
+
+
 # if using special system headers, find out the compiler's sekrit
 # header directory and add that to the list.  NOTE: Only does the right
 # thing on a system that doesn't need fixincludes.  (Not presently a problem.)
@@ -2068,7 +2124,7 @@ fi
 
 # check if ranlib is necessary
 echo $ac_n "checking whether ranlib is necessary""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2072: checking whether ranlib is necessary" >&5
+echo "configure:2128: checking whether ranlib is necessary" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_ranlib_necessary'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2102,7 +2158,7 @@ fi
 # - two terminals occur directly after each other
 # - the path contains an element with a dot in it
 echo $ac_n "checking LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2106: checking LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable" >&5
+echo "configure:2162: checking LD_LIBRARY_PATH variable" >&5
 case ${LD_LIBRARY_PATH} in
   [:\;]* | *[:\;] | *[:\;][:\;]* |  *[:\;]. | .[:\;]*| . | *[:\;].[:\;]* )
     ld_library_path_setting="contains current directory"
@@ -2122,7 +2178,7 @@ fi
 # Extract the first word of "bash", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy bash; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2126: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2182: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_path_BASH'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2168,7 +2224,7 @@ if test "$BASH" = no; then
   # Extract the first word of "ksh", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy ksh; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2172: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2228: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_path_KSH'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2218,7 +2274,7 @@ do
 # Extract the first word of "$ac_prog", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy $ac_prog; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2222: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2278: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_prog_AWK'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2250,7 +2306,7 @@ done
 # Extract the first word of "perl", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy perl; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2254: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2310: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_path_PERL'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2290,7 +2346,7 @@ fi
 # Extract the first word of "install-info", so it can be a program name with args.
 set dummy install-info; ac_word=$2
 echo $ac_n "checking for $ac_word""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2294: checking for $ac_word" >&5
+echo "configure:2350: checking for $ac_word" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_path_INSTALL_INFO'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2325,7 +2381,7 @@ fi
 
 if test "$INSTALL_INFO" != "no"; then
 echo $ac_n "checking for old Debian install-info""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2329: checking for old Debian install-info" >&5
+echo "configure:2385: checking for old Debian install-info" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_old_debian_install_info'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2358,7 +2414,7 @@ fi
 
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for signed size_t type""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2362: checking for signed size_t type" >&5
+echo "configure:2418: checking for signed size_t type" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_signed_size_t'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2382,12 +2438,12 @@ EOF
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for libc-friendly stddef.h""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2386: checking for libc-friendly stddef.h" >&5
+echo "configure:2442: checking for libc-friendly stddef.h" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_friendly_stddef'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 2391 "configure"
+#line 2447 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #define __need_size_t
 #define __need_wchar_t
@@ -2402,7 +2458,7 @@ size_t size; wchar_t wchar;
 if (&size == NULL || &wchar == NULL) abort ();
 ; return 0; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:2406: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
+if { (eval echo configure:2462: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
   rm -rf conftest*
   libc_cv_friendly_stddef=yes
 else
@@ -2421,7 +2477,7 @@ override stddef.h = # The installed <stddef.h> seems to be libc-friendly."
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether we need to use -P to assemble .S files""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2425: checking whether we need to use -P to assemble .S files" >&5
+echo "configure:2481: checking whether we need to use -P to assemble .S files" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_need_minus_P'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2444,7 +2500,7 @@ asm-CPPFLAGS = -P # The assembler can't grok cpp's # line directives."
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether .text pseudo-op must be used""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2448: checking whether .text pseudo-op must be used" >&5
+echo "configure:2504: checking whether .text pseudo-op must be used" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_dot_text'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2465,7 +2521,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for assembler global-symbol directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2469: checking for assembler global-symbol directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2525: checking for assembler global-symbol directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_global_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2495,7 +2551,7 @@ EOF
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for .set assembler directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2499: checking for .set assembler directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2555: checking for .set assembler directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_set_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2538,7 +2594,7 @@ EOF
 esac
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for .symver assembler directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2542: checking for .symver assembler directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2598: checking for .symver assembler directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_symver_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2557,7 +2613,7 @@ fi
 
 echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_asm_symver_directive" 1>&6
 echo $ac_n "checking for ld --version-script""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2561: checking for ld --version-script" >&5
+echo "configure:2617: checking for ld --version-script" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_ld_version_script_option'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2580,7 +2636,7 @@ EOF
     if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS -shared -o conftest.so conftest.o
 					-nostartfiles -nostdlib
 					-Wl,--version-script,conftest.map
-		       1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2584: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; };
+		       1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2640: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; };
     then
       libc_cv_ld_version_script_option=yes
     else
@@ -2619,7 +2675,7 @@ if test $shared != no && test $VERSIONING = no; then
 fi
 if test $elf = yes; then
   echo $ac_n "checking for .previous assembler directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2623: checking for .previous assembler directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2679: checking for .previous assembler directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_previous_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2627,7 +2683,7 @@ else
 .section foo_section
 .previous
 EOF
-  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2631: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2687: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
     libc_cv_asm_previous_directive=yes
   else
     libc_cv_asm_previous_directive=no
@@ -2643,7 +2699,7 @@ EOF
 
   else
     echo $ac_n "checking for .popsection assembler directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2647: checking for .popsection assembler directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2703: checking for .popsection assembler directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_popsection_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2651,7 +2707,7 @@ else
 .pushsection foo_section
 .popsection
 EOF
-    if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2655: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+    if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2711: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
       libc_cv_asm_popsection_directive=yes
     else
       libc_cv_asm_popsection_directive=no
@@ -2668,7 +2724,7 @@ EOF
     fi
   fi
   echo $ac_n "checking for .protected and .hidden assembler directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2672: checking for .protected and .hidden assembler directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2728: checking for .protected and .hidden assembler directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_protected_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2678,7 +2734,7 @@ foo:
 .hidden bar
 bar:
 EOF
-  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2682: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2738: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
     libc_cv_asm_protected_directive=yes
   else
     libc_cv_asm_protected_directive=no
@@ -2690,14 +2746,14 @@ echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_asm_protected_directive" 1>&6
   
 
   echo $ac_n "checking for -z nodelete option""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2694: checking for -z nodelete option" >&5
+echo "configure:2750: checking for -z nodelete option" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_z_nodelete'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
     cat > conftest.c <<EOF
 int _start (void) { return 42; }
 EOF
-  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -shared -o conftest.so conftest.c -Wl,--enable-new-dtags,-z,nodelete 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2701: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }
+  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -shared -o conftest.so conftest.c -Wl,--enable-new-dtags,-z,nodelete 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2757: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }
   then
     libc_cv_z_nodelete=yes
   else
@@ -2710,14 +2766,14 @@ echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_z_nodelete" 1>&6
   
 
   echo $ac_n "checking for -z nodlopen option""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2714: checking for -z nodlopen option" >&5
+echo "configure:2770: checking for -z nodlopen option" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_z_nodlopen'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
     cat > conftest.c <<EOF
 int _start (void) { return 42; }
 EOF
-  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -shared -o conftest.so conftest.c -Wl,--enable-new-dtags,-z,nodlopen 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2721: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }
+  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -shared -o conftest.so conftest.c -Wl,--enable-new-dtags,-z,nodlopen 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2777: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }
   then
     libc_cv_z_nodlopen=yes
   else
@@ -2732,12 +2788,12 @@ fi
 
 if test $elf != yes; then
   echo $ac_n "checking for .init and .fini sections""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2736: checking for .init and .fini sections" >&5
+echo "configure:2792: checking for .init and .fini sections" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_have_initfini'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 2741 "configure"
+#line 2797 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 
 int main() {
@@ -2746,7 +2802,7 @@ asm (".section .init");
 				    asm ("${libc_cv_dot_text}");
 ; return 0; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:2750: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
+if { (eval echo configure:2806: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
   rm -rf conftest*
   libc_cv_have_initfini=yes
 else
@@ -2769,7 +2825,7 @@ fi
 
 if test $elf = yes -a $gnu_ld = yes; then
   echo $ac_n "checking whether cc puts quotes around section names""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2773: checking whether cc puts quotes around section names" >&5
+echo "configure:2829: checking whether cc puts quotes around section names" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_have_section_quotes'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2806,19 +2862,19 @@ if test $elf = yes; then
 else
   if test $ac_cv_prog_cc_works = yes; then
     echo $ac_n "checking for _ prefix on C symbol names""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2810: checking for _ prefix on C symbol names" >&5
+echo "configure:2866: checking for _ prefix on C symbol names" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_underscores'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 2815 "configure"
+#line 2871 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 asm ("_glibc_foobar:");
 int main() {
 glibc_foobar ();
 ; return 0; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:2822: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
+if { (eval echo configure:2878: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
   rm -rf conftest*
   libc_cv_asm_underscores=yes
 else
@@ -2833,17 +2889,17 @@ fi
 echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_asm_underscores" 1>&6
   else
     echo $ac_n "checking for _ prefix on C symbol names""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2837: checking for _ prefix on C symbol names" >&5
+echo "configure:2893: checking for _ prefix on C symbol names" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_underscores'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 2842 "configure"
+#line 2898 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 void underscore_test(void) {
 return; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:2847: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
+if { (eval echo configure:2903: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
   if grep _underscore_test conftest* >/dev/null; then
     rm -f conftest*
     libc_cv_asm_underscores=yes
@@ -2875,7 +2931,7 @@ if test $elf = yes; then
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for assembler .weak directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2879: checking for assembler .weak directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2935: checking for assembler .weak directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_weak_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2898,7 +2954,7 @@ echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_asm_weak_directive" 1>&6
 
 if test $libc_cv_asm_weak_directive = no; then
   echo $ac_n "checking for assembler .weakext directive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2902: checking for assembler .weakext directive" >&5
+echo "configure:2958: checking for assembler .weakext directive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_weakext_directive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2938,14 +2994,14 @@ fi
 case "${host_cpu}-${host_os}" in
   hppa*linux*)
   echo $ac_n "checking for assembler line separator""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2942: checking for assembler line separator" >&5
+echo "configure:2998: checking for assembler line separator" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_asm_line_sep'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
     cat > conftest.s <<EOF
  nop ; is_old_puffin
 EOF
-  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2949: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+  if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -c $CFLAGS conftest.s 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:3005: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
     libc_cv_asm_line_sep='!'
   else
     if test -z "$enable_hacker_mode"; then
@@ -2967,7 +3023,7 @@ EOF
 esac
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for ld --no-whole-archive""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2971: checking for ld --no-whole-archive" >&5
+echo "configure:3027: checking for ld --no-whole-archive" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_ld_no_whole_archive'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -2978,7 +3034,7 @@ __throw () {}
 EOF
 if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS
 			    -nostdlib -nostartfiles -Wl,--no-whole-archive
-			    -o conftest conftest.c 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:2982: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			    -o conftest conftest.c 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:3038: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
   libc_cv_ld_no_whole_archive=yes
 else
   libc_cv_ld_no_whole_archive=no
@@ -2992,7 +3048,7 @@ if test $libc_cv_ld_no_whole_archive = yes; then
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for gcc -fexceptions""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:2996: checking for gcc -fexceptions" >&5
+echo "configure:3052: checking for gcc -fexceptions" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_gcc_exceptions'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -3003,7 +3059,7 @@ __throw () {}
 EOF
 if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS
 			    -nostdlib -nostartfiles -fexceptions
-			    -o conftest conftest.c 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:3007: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			    -o conftest conftest.c 1>&5'; { (eval echo configure:3063: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
   libc_cv_gcc_exceptions=yes
 else
   libc_cv_gcc_exceptions=no
@@ -3018,14 +3074,14 @@ fi
 
 if test "$base_machine" = alpha ; then
 echo $ac_n "checking for function ..ng prefix""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3022: checking for function ..ng prefix" >&5
+echo "configure:3078: checking for function ..ng prefix" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_gcc_alpha_ng_prefix'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.c <<\EOF
 foo () { }
 EOF
-if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -S conftest.c -o - | fgrep "\$foo..ng" > /dev/null'; { (eval echo configure:3029: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; };
+if { ac_try='${CC-cc} -S conftest.c -o - | fgrep "\$foo..ng" > /dev/null'; { (eval echo configure:3085: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; };
 then
   libc_cv_gcc_alpha_ng_prefix=yes
 else
@@ -3052,19 +3108,19 @@ if test "$host_cpu" = powerpc ; then
 # Check for a bug present in at least versions 2.8.x of GCC
 # and versions 1.0.x of EGCS.
 echo $ac_n "checking whether clobbering cr0 causes problems""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3056: checking whether clobbering cr0 causes problems" >&5
+echo "configure:3112: checking whether clobbering cr0 causes problems" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_c_asmcr0_bug'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 3061 "configure"
+#line 3117 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 int tester(int x) { asm ("" : : : "cc"); return x & 123; }
 int main() {
 
 ; return 0; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:3068: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
+if { (eval echo configure:3124: \"$ac_compile\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_compile) 2>&5; }; then
   rm -rf conftest*
   libc_cv_c_asmcr0_bug='no'
 else
@@ -3086,12 +3142,12 @@ fi
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for DWARF2 unwind info support""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3090: checking for DWARF2 unwind info support" >&5
+echo "configure:3146: checking for DWARF2 unwind info support" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.c <<EOF
-#line 3095 "configure"
+#line 3151 "configure"
 static char __EH_FRAME_BEGIN__;
 _start ()
 {
@@ -3118,7 +3174,7 @@ __bzero () {}
 EOF
 if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS -DCHECK__register_frame_info
 			    -nostdlib -nostartfiles
-			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3122: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3178: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
   libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info=static
 else
   libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info=no
@@ -3126,7 +3182,7 @@ fi
 if test $libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info = no; then
   if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS -DCHECK__register_frame
 			      -nostdlib -nostartfiles
-			      -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3130: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			      -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3186: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
     libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info=yes
   else
     libc_cv_gcc_dwarf2_unwind_info=no
@@ -3156,12 +3212,12 @@ EOF
 esac
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for __builtin_expect""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3160: checking for __builtin_expect" >&5
+echo "configure:3216: checking for __builtin_expect" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_gcc_builtin_expect'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.c <<EOF
-#line 3165 "configure"
+#line 3221 "configure"
 int foo (int a)
 {
   a = __builtin_expect (a, 10);
@@ -3169,7 +3225,7 @@ int foo (int a)
 }
 EOF
 if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS -nostdlib -nostartfiles
-			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3173: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3229: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
   libc_cv_gcc_builtin_expect=yes
 else
   libc_cv_gcc_builtin_expect=no
@@ -3186,12 +3242,12 @@ EOF
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for local label subtraction""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3190: checking for local label subtraction" >&5
+echo "configure:3246: checking for local label subtraction" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_gcc_subtract_local_labels'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
   cat > conftest.c <<EOF
-#line 3195 "configure"
+#line 3251 "configure"
 int foo (int a)
 {
   static const int ar[] = { &&l1 - &&l1, &&l2 - &&l1 };
@@ -3204,7 +3260,7 @@ int foo (int a)
 }
 EOF
 if { ac_try='${CC-cc} $CFLAGS -nostdlib -nostartfiles
-			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3208: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
+			    -o conftest conftest.c -lgcc >&5'; { (eval echo configure:3264: \"$ac_try\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_try) 2>&5; }; }; then
   libc_cv_gcc_subtract_local_labels=yes
 else
   libc_cv_gcc_subtract_local_labels=no
@@ -3221,7 +3277,7 @@ EOF
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking for libgd""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3225: checking for libgd" >&5
+echo "configure:3281: checking for libgd" >&5
 old_CFLAGS="$CFLAGS"
 CFLAGS="$CFLAGS $libgd_include"
 old_LDFLAGS="$LDFLAGS"
@@ -3229,14 +3285,14 @@ LDFLAGS="$LDFLAGS $libgd_ldflags"
 old_LIBS="$LIBS"
 LIBS="$LIBS -lgd -lpng -lz -lm"
 cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 3233 "configure"
+#line 3289 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #include <gd.h>
 int main() {
 gdImagePng (0, 0)
 ; return 0; }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:3240: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
+if { (eval echo configure:3296: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext}; then
   rm -rf conftest*
   LIBGD=yes
 else
@@ -3253,7 +3309,7 @@ echo "$ac_t""$LIBGD" 1>&6
 
 
 echo $ac_n "checking size of long double""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3257: checking size of long double" >&5
+echo "configure:3313: checking size of long double" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'ac_cv_sizeof_long_double'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -3261,7 +3317,7 @@ else
   ac_cv_sizeof_long_double=0
 else
   cat > conftest.$ac_ext <<EOF
-#line 3265 "configure"
+#line 3321 "configure"
 #include "confdefs.h"
 #include <stdio.h>
 main()
@@ -3272,7 +3328,7 @@ main()
   exit(0);
 }
 EOF
-if { (eval echo configure:3276: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext} && (./conftest; exit) 2>/dev/null
+if { (eval echo configure:3332: \"$ac_link\") 1>&5; (eval $ac_link) 2>&5; } && test -s conftest${ac_exeext} && (./conftest; exit) 2>/dev/null
 then
   ac_cv_sizeof_long_double=`cat conftestval`
 else
@@ -3340,7 +3396,7 @@ if test "$uname" = "sysdeps/generic"; then
   fi
 
   echo $ac_n "checking OS release for uname""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3344: checking OS release for uname" >&5
+echo "configure:3400: checking OS release for uname" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_uname_release'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -3362,7 +3418,7 @@ echo "$ac_t""$libc_cv_uname_release" 1>&6
   uname_release="$libc_cv_uname_release"
 
   echo $ac_n "checking OS version for uname""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3366: checking OS version for uname" >&5
+echo "configure:3422: checking OS version for uname" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'libc_cv_uname_version'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -3384,7 +3440,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking stdio selection""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3388: checking stdio selection" >&5
+echo "configure:3444: checking stdio selection" >&5
 
 case $stdio in
 libio) cat >> confdefs.h <<\EOF
@@ -3398,7 +3454,7 @@ echo "$ac_t""$stdio" 1>&6
 # Test for old glibc 2.0.x headers so that they can be removed properly
 # Search only in includedir.
 echo $ac_n "checking for old glibc 2.0.x headers""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3402: checking for old glibc 2.0.x headers" >&5
+echo "configure:3458: checking for old glibc 2.0.x headers" >&5
 if eval test -f "${includedir}/elfclass.h" -a -f "${includedir}/fcntlbits.h"
 then
   old_glibc_headers=yes
@@ -3453,7 +3509,7 @@ if test $shared = default; then
 fi
 
 echo $ac_n "checking whether -fPIC is default""... $ac_c" 1>&6
-echo "configure:3457: checking whether -fPIC is default" >&5
+echo "configure:3513: checking whether -fPIC is default" >&5
 if eval "test \"`echo '$''{'pic_default'+set}'`\" = set"; then
   echo $ac_n "(cached) $ac_c" 1>&6
 else
@@ -3657,7 +3713,6 @@ s%@MAKE@%$MAKE%g
 s%@MSGFMT@%$MSGFMT%g
 s%@MAKEINFO@%$MAKEINFO%g
 s%@SED@%$SED%g
-s%@CCVERSION@%$CCVERSION%g
 s%@cross_linkable@%$cross_linkable%g
 s%@BUILD_CC@%$BUILD_CC%g
 s%@cross_compiling@%$cross_compiling%g
@@ -3665,6 +3720,8 @@ s%@CPP@%$CPP%g
 s%@AR@%$AR%g
 s%@RANLIB@%$RANLIB%g
 s%@MIG@%$MIG%g
+s%@AS@%$AS%g
+s%@CCVERSION@%$CCVERSION%g
 s%@SYSINCLUDES@%$SYSINCLUDES%g
 s%@BASH@%$BASH%g
 s%@libc_cv_have_bash2@%$libc_cv_have_bash2%g
diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index d3daf7debd..261a5e1b11 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -567,6 +567,21 @@ AC_CHECK_PROG_VER(SED, gsed sed, --version,
   [GNU sed version \([0-9]*\.[0-9.]*\)],
   [3.0[2-9]*|3.[1-9]*|[4-9]*], SED=: aux_missing=t)
 
+AC_PROG_CC_LOCAL
+AC_CANONICAL_BUILD
+if test $host != $build; then
+  AC_CHECK_PROGS(BUILD_CC, gcc cc)
+fi
+AC_SUBST(cross_compiling)
+AC_PROG_CPP
+LIBC_PROG_BINUTILS
+AC_CHECK_TOOL(MIG, mig)
+
+# Accept binutils 2.10.1 or newer (and also any ia64 2.9 version)
+AC_CHECK_PROG_VER(AS, $AS, --version,
+  [GNU assembler.* \([0-9]*\.[0-9.]*\(-ia64-[0-9]*\)*\)],
+  [2.10.[1-9]* | 2.1[1-9]* | 2.9-ia64-*], AS=: critic_missing=t)
+
 if test -n "$critic_missing"; then
 AC_MSG_ERROR([
 *** Some critical program is missing or too old.
@@ -582,16 +597,6 @@ test -n "$aux_missing" && AC_MSG_WARN([
 CCVERSION=`$CC -v 2>&1 | sed -n 's/gcc version //p'`
 AC_SUBST(CCVERSION)
 
-AC_PROG_CC_LOCAL
-AC_CANONICAL_BUILD
-if test $host != $build; then
-  AC_CHECK_PROGS(BUILD_CC, gcc cc)
-fi
-AC_SUBST(cross_compiling)
-AC_PROG_CPP
-LIBC_PROG_BINUTILS
-AC_CHECK_TOOL(MIG, mig)
-
 # if using special system headers, find out the compiler's sekrit
 # header directory and add that to the list.  NOTE: Only does the right
 # thing on a system that doesn't need fixincludes.  (Not presently a problem.)