diff --git a/jdk/make/common/Defs-linux.gmk b/jdk/make/common/Defs-linux.gmk
index 28d58376fe2..9ecdd4d7156 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/Defs-linux.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/Defs-linux.gmk
@@ -116,6 +116,14 @@ LDFLAGS_COMMON_sparc    += -m32 -mcpu=v9
 CFLAGS_REQUIRED         =  $(CFLAGS_REQUIRED_$(ARCH))
 LDFLAGS_COMMON          += $(LDFLAGS_COMMON_$(ARCH))
 
+# If this is a --hash-style=gnu system, use --hash-style=both
+#   The gnu .hash section won't work on some Linux systems like SuSE 10.
+_HAS_HASH_STYLE_GNU:=$(shell $(CC) -dumpspecs | $(GREP) -- '--hash-style=gnu')
+ifneq ($(_HAS_HASH_STYLE_GNU),)
+  LDFLAGS_HASH_STYLE = -Wl,--hash-style=both
+endif
+LDFLAGS_COMMON          += $(LDFLAGS_HASH_STYLE)
+
 #
 # Selection of warning messages
 #
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-gcc.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-gcc.gmk
index 27501956368..13feb4cf98c 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-gcc.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-gcc.gmk
@@ -68,24 +68,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), linux)
   else
     CXX            = $(COMPILER_PATH)g++
   endif
-  ifneq ("$(findstring sparc,$(ARCH))", "")
-    # sparc or sparcv9
-    REQUIRED_CC_VER = 4.0
-    REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 4.0.*
-  else
-    REQUIRED_CC_VER = 3.2
-    ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
-      REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 3.2.1*
-      REQUIRED_GCC_VER_INT = 3.2.1-7a
-    else
-      ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
-        REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 3.2.*
-      endif
-      ifeq ($(ARCH), ia64)
-        REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 2.9[56789].*
-      endif
-    endif
-  endif
   # Option used to create a shared library
   SHARED_LIBRARY_FLAG = -shared -mimpure-text
   SUN_COMP_VER := $(shell $(CC) --verbose 2>&1 )
@@ -98,18 +80,10 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
   CC             = $(COMPILER_PATH)gcc
   CPP            = $(COMPILER_PATH)gcc -E
   CXX            = $(COMPILER_PATH)g++
-  REQUIRED_CC_VER = 3.2
 
   # Option used to create a shared library
   SHARED_LIBRARY_FLAG = -G
-  # But gcc is still needed no matter what on 32bit
-  ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
-    REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 2.95
-    GCC =$(GCC_COMPILER_PATH)gcc
-    _GCC_VER :=$(shell $(GCC) -dumpversion 2>&1 )
-    GCC_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_GCC_VER)")
-  endif
-
+  
 endif
 
 # Get gcc version
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-msvc.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-msvc.gmk
index d23529f3935..4671366b5c3 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-msvc.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-msvc.gmk
@@ -41,8 +41,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   # Fill in unknown values
   COMPILER_NAME=Unknown MSVC Compiler
   COMPILER_VERSION=
-  REQUIRED_CC_VER=
-  REQUIRED_LINK_VER=
   
   # unset any GNU Make settings of MFLAGS and MAKEFLAGS which may mess up nmake
   NMAKE          = MFLAGS= MAKEFLAGS= $(COMPILER_PATH)nmake -nologo
@@ -56,8 +54,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     CC_MAJORVER :=$(call MajorVersion,$(CC_VER))
     ifeq ($(CC_MAJORVER), 13)
       # This should be: CC_VER=13.10.3077 LINK_VER=7.10.3077
-      REQUIRED_CC_VER = 13.10.3077
-      REQUIRED_LINK_VER = 7.10.3077
       COMPILER_NAME=Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional C++
       COMPILER_VERSION=VS2003
       REBASE     = $(COMPILER_PATH)../../Common7/Tools/Bin/rebase
@@ -67,9 +63,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
       endif
     endif
     ifeq ($(CC_MAJORVER), 14)
-      # This should be: CC_VER=14.00.50727.42 LINK_VER=8.00.50727.42
-      REQUIRED_CC_VER = 14.00.50727.42
-      REQUIRED_LINK_VER = 8.00.50727.42
       COMPILER_NAME=Visual Studio 8
       COMPILER_VERSION=VS2005
       REBASE     = $(COMPILER_PATH)../../Common8/Tools/Bin/rebase
@@ -80,9 +73,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
       endif
     endif
     ifeq ($(CC_MAJORVER), 15)
-      # This should be: CC_VER=15.00.21022.08 LINK_VER=9.00.21022.08
-      REQUIRED_CC_VER = 15.00.21022.08
-      REQUIRED_LINK_VER = 9.00.21022.08
       COMPILER_NAME=Visual Studio 9
       COMPILER_VERSION=VS2008
       #rebase and midl moved out of Visual Studio into the SDK:
@@ -99,14 +89,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     CC_MAJORVER :=$(call MajorVersion,$(CC_VER))
     CC_MINORVER :=$(call MinorVersion,$(CC_VER))
     CC_MICROVER :=$(call MicroVersion,$(CC_VER))
-    ifeq ($(ARCH), ia64)
-      REQUIRED_CC_VER = 13.00.9337.7
-      REQUIRED_LINK_VER = 7.00.9337.7
-    endif
-    ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
-      REQUIRED_CC_VER = 14.00.40310.41
-      REQUIRED_LINK_VER = 8.00.40310.39
-    endif
     ifeq ($(CC_MAJORVER), 13)
       ifeq ($(ARCH), ia64)
         # This should be: CC_VER=13.00.9337.7 LINK_VER=7.00.9337.7
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-sun.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-sun.gmk
index b3c4e2a90b1..a22196b34f0 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-sun.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Compiler-sun.gmk
@@ -32,27 +32,19 @@ COMPILER_NAME=Sun Studio
 # Sun Studio Compiler settings specific to Solaris
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
   COMPILER_VERSION=SS12
-  REQUIRED_CC_VER=5.9
   CC             = $(COMPILER_PATH)cc
   CPP            = $(COMPILER_PATH)cc -E
   CXX            = $(COMPILER_PATH)CC
   LINT           = $(COMPILER_PATH)lint
   # Option used to create a shared library
   SHARED_LIBRARY_FLAG = -G
-  # But gcc is still needed no matter what on 32bit
-  ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
-    REQUIRED_GCC_VER = 2.95
-    GCC =$(GCC_COMPILER_PATH)gcc
-    _GCC_VER :=$(shell $(GCC) -dumpversion 2>&1 )
-    GCC_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_GCC_VER)")
-  endif
+  GCC =$(GCC_COMPILER_PATH)gcc
 endif
 
 # Sun Studio Compiler settings specific to Linux
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), linux)
   # This has not been tested
   COMPILER_VERSION=SS12
-  REQUIRED_CC_VER=5.9
   CC             = $(COMPILER_PATH)cc
   CPP            = $(COMPILER_PATH)cc -E
   CXX            = $(COMPILER_PATH)CC
@@ -73,7 +65,7 @@ endif
 # Get compiler version
 _CC_VER :=$(shell $(CC) -V 2>&1 | $(HEAD) -n 1)
 CC_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_CC_VER)")
-
+  
 # Arch specific settings (determines type of .o files and instruction set)
 #  Starting in SS12 (5.9), the arch options changed.
 #  The assembler /usr/ccs/bin/as wants older SS11 (5.8) style options.
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-versions.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-versions.gmk
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..007c08fd6bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-versions.gmk
@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+#
+# Copyright 2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
+# DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+#
+# This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+# published by the Free Software Foundation.  Sun designates this
+# particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
+# by Sun in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
+#
+# This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+# ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+# version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+# accompanied this code).
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
+# 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+# Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+#
+# Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
+# CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
+# have any questions.
+#
+
+#
+# WARNING: This file is shared with other workspaces.
+#
+
+# This file needs these set: CC_VERSION, PLATFORM, ARCH_FAMILY, and ARCH_DATA_MODEL.
+
+##########################################################################
+#
+# List of JDK official minimum, expected, or required versions:
+#
+# REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION
+#   Linux only: The ALSA sound library version expected.
+#
+# REQUIRED_ANT_VER
+#   The minimum 'ant' version.
+#
+# REQUIRED_BOOT_VER
+#   The minimum boot jdk version.
+#
+# REQUIRED_CC_VER
+#   The primary C compiler version expected.
+#
+# REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER
+#   Windows only: If CYGWIN is used, the minimum CYGWIN version.
+#
+# REQUIRED_DXSDK_VER
+#   Windows only: The version of DirectX SDK expected.
+#
+# REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE
+#   The minimum disk space needed as determined by running 'du -sk' on a fully
+#   built workspace.
+#
+# REQUIRED_FREETYPE_VERSION
+#   If we are using freetype, the freetype version expected.
+#
+# REQUIRED_GCC_VER
+#   Solaris and Linux only. The required version of gcc/g++ for the plugin.
+#
+# REQUIRED_LINK_VER
+#   Windows only: The version of link.exe expected.
+#
+# REQUIRED_MAKE_VER
+#   The minimum version of GNU make.
+#
+# REQUIRED_MKS_VER
+#   Windows only: If MKS used instead of CYGWIN, the minimum version of MKS.
+#
+# REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME
+#   The OS variation name required.
+#     Solaris: Solaris or OpenSolaris
+#     Windows: Windows2000, WindowsXP, Windows2003, etc.
+#     Linux: Fedora, RedHat, SuSE, Ubuntu, etc.
+#
+# REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION
+#   The version number associated with the above OS variant name.
+#     Solaris: output of uname -r
+#     Windows: 5.0 for Windows2000, 5.1 for WindowsXP, 5.2 for Windows2003, etc.
+#     Linux: number for the variant, e.g. 9 for Fedora 9
+#
+# REQUIRED_OS_VERSION
+#   The formal OS version number.
+#     Solaris & Windows: same as REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION
+#     Linux: the kernel version, or output of uname -r
+#
+# REQUIRED_UNZIP_VER
+#   The minimum version of unzip.
+#
+# REQUIRED_ZIP_VER
+#   The minimum version of unzip.
+#
+###########
+#
+# Differences in the build platform from these versions may trigger warnings
+#   messages during the sanity checking when building the JDK.
+#
+# When building the OpenJDK most of these required or expected  versions are 
+#  ignored or allowed to vary widely to accomodate the many build situations
+#  of the OpenJDK.
+#
+##########################################################################
+
+# Solaris specific
+ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
+  REQUIRED_OS_VERSION         = 5.10
+  REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME    = Solaris
+  REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION = $(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION)
+  ifeq ($(ARCH_FAMILY), sparc)
+    REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE       = 1300000
+  else
+    REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE       = 1040000
+  endif
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),sun)
+    REQUIRED_CC_VER           = 5.9
+  endif
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),gcc)
+    REQUIRED_CC_VER           = 3.4.3
+  endif
+  REQUIRED_GCC_VER            = 2.95.2
+endif
+
+# Linux specific
+ifeq ($(PLATFORM), linux)
+  REQUIRED_OS_VERSION         = 2.6
+  REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME    = Fedora
+  REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION = 9
+  REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE         = 1460000
+  REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION       = 0.9.1
+  REQUIRED_GCC_VER            = 2.95
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),gcc)
+    REQUIRED_CC_VER           = 4.3.0
+  endif
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),sun)
+    REQUIRED_CC_VER           = 5.9
+  endif
+endif
+
+# Windows specific
+ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
+  ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL),64)
+    REQUIRED_OS_VERSION       = 5.2
+    REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME  = Windows2003
+  else
+    REQUIRED_OS_VERSION       = 5.1
+    REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME  = WindowsXP
+  endif
+  REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION = $(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION)
+  REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER         = 4.0
+  REQUIRED_MKS_VER            = 6.1
+  REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE         = 500000
+  REQUIRED_DXSDK_VER          = 0x0900
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),msvc)
+    ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
+      REQUIRED_CC_VER         = 15.00.21022.08
+      REQUIRED_LINK_VER       = 9.00.21022.08
+    else
+      ifeq ($(ARCH), ia64)
+        REQUIRED_CC_VER       = 13.00.9337.7
+        REQUIRED_LINK_VER     = 7.00.9337.7
+      endif
+      ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
+        REQUIRED_CC_VER       = 14.00.40310.41
+        REQUIRED_LINK_VER     = 8.00.40310.39
+      endif
+    endif
+  endif
+  ifeq ($(CC_VERSION),gcc)
+    REQUIRED_CC_VER           = 3.4.3
+  endif
+endif
+
+# Generic
+REQUIRED_ANT_VER          = 1.6.3
+REQUIRED_BOOT_VER         = 1.5
+REQUIRED_FREETYPE_VERSION = 2.3.0
+REQUIRED_MAKE_VER         = 3.78
+REQUIRED_UNZIP_VER        = 5.12
+REQUIRED_ZIP_VER          = 2.2
+
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-windows.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-windows.gmk
index 1ceb017b2f9..a7caa194893 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-windows.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs-windows.gmk
@@ -136,10 +136,7 @@ endif
 UNIXCOMMAND_PATH:=$(call AltCheckSpaces,UNIXCOMMAND_PATH)
 
 # Get version of MKS or CYGWIN
-ifdef USING_CYGWIN
-_CYGWIN_VER :=$(shell $(UNAME))
-CYGWIN_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,$(_CYGWIN_VER))
-else # MKS
+ifndef USING_CYGWIN
 _MKS_VER :=$(shell $(MKSINFO) 2>&1 | $(GREP) Release | $(TAIL) -1 | $(SED) -e 's@.*\(Release.*\)@\1@')
 MKS_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,$(_MKS_VER))
 # At this point, we can re-define FullPath to use DOSNAME_CMD
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs.gmk
index 638cd363696..c297bfa4d08 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Defs.gmk
@@ -116,9 +116,9 @@ $(shell \
   fi)
 endef
 
-# Given a line of text, get the major.minor version number from it
+# Given a line of text, get the version number from it
 define GetVersion
-$(shell echo $1 | sed -e 's@[^1-9]*\([1-9][0-9]*\.[0-9][0-9]*\).*@\1@' )
+$(shell echo $1 | sed -e 's@[^0-9]*\([0-9][0-9]*\.[0-9][.0-9]*\).*@\1@' )
 endef
 
 # Given a major.minor.micro version, return the major, minor, or micro number
@@ -133,26 +133,26 @@ $(if $(word 3, $(subst ., ,$1)),$(word 3, $(subst ., ,$1)),0)
 endef
 
 # Macro that returns missing, same, newer, or older $1=version $2=required
-#  (currently does not check the micro number)
 define CheckVersions
 $(shell \
   if [ "$1" = "" -o "$2" = "" ]; then \
     echo missing; \
+  elif [ "$1" = "$2" ]; then \
+    echo same; \
+  elif [ $(call MajorVersion,$1) -lt $(call MajorVersion,$2) ] ; then \
+    echo older; \
+  elif [ $(call MajorVersion,$1) -gt $(call MajorVersion,$2) ] ; then \
+    echo newer; \
+  elif [ $(call MinorVersion,$1) -lt $(call MinorVersion,$2) ]; then \
+    echo older; \
+  elif [ $(call MinorVersion,$1) -gt $(call MinorVersion,$2) ]; then \
+    echo newer; \
+  elif [ $(call MicroVersion,$1) -lt $(call MicroVersion,$2) ]; then \
+    echo older; \
+  elif [ $(call MicroVersion,$1) -gt $(call MicroVersion,$2) ]; then \
+    echo newer; \
   else \
-    if [ "$1" = "$2" ]; then \
-      echo same; \
-    else \
-      if [ $(call MajorVersion,$1) -lt $(call MajorVersion,$2) ] ; then \
-        echo older; \
-      else \
-	if [ $(call MajorVersion,$1) -eq $(call MajorVersion,$2) -a \
-	     $(call MinorVersion,$1) -lt $(call MinorVersion,$2) ]; then \
-          echo older; \
-        else \
-          echo newer; \
-        fi; \
-      fi; \
-    fi; \
+    echo same; \
   fi)
 endef
 
@@ -561,3 +561,6 @@ endif
 # Get shared compiler settings
 include $(JDK_MAKE_SHARED_DIR)/Compiler.gmk
 
+# Get the REQUIRED versions
+include $(JDK_MAKE_SHARED_DIR)/Defs-versions.gmk
+
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Platform.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Platform.gmk
index 8da23c83fc4..d343cdea1c3 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Platform.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Platform.gmk
@@ -51,9 +51,6 @@ PLATFORM_SHARED=done
 #     USER                        login name of user (minus blanks)
 #     PLATFORM                    windows, solaris, or linux
 #     VARIANT                     OPT or DBG, OPT is the default
-#     OS_NAME                     solaris, linux, or nt
-#     OS_VERSION                  specific version of os, 5.10, 2.4.9-e.3, etc.
-#     OS_VENDOR                   company name
 #     TEMP_DISK                   /tmp or C:/temp
 #     ARCH_DATA_MODEL             32 or 64
 #     ARCH                        sparc, sparcv9, i586, amd64, or ia64
@@ -72,29 +69,11 @@ PLATFORM_SHARED=done
 #     ISA_DIR                     solaris only: /sparcv9 or /amd64
 #     LIBARCH32                   solaris only: sparc or i386
 #     LIBARCH64                   solaris only: sparcv9 or amd64
-#     REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION    windows only: specific version of windows 
 #     USING_CYGWIN                windows only: true or false
-#     WINDOWS_NT_VERSION_STRING   windows only: long version name
-#     REQUIRED_OS_VERSION         required OS version, e.g. 5.10, 2.4
-#     REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE         minimum disk space needed for outputdir
 #     ISHIELD_TEMP_MIN            windows only: minimum disk space in temp area
-#     REQUIRED_ZIP_VER            required version of zip
-#     REQUIRED_UNZIP_VER          required version of unzip
-#     REQUIRED_DXSDK_VER          windows only: required version of DirectX
-#     LINUX_VERSION_INFO          linux only: location of linux release file
-#     REQUIRED_LINUX_VER          linux only: required version of linux
-#     REQUIRED_LINUX_FULLVER      linux only: required full version of linux
-#     REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION       linux only: required version of ALSA
-#     REQUIRED_FREETYPE_VERSION   openjdk only: required version of freetype 
 
 SYSTEM_UNAME := $(shell uname)
 
-# Normal boot jdk is previous release, but a hard requirement is a 1.5 boot
-REQUIRED_BOOT_VER = 1.5
-
-# If we are using freetype, this is the required version
-REQUIRED_FREETYPE_VERSION=2.3.0
-
 #
 # Prune out all known SCM (Source Code Management) directories
 # so they will not be included when copying directory trees
@@ -113,8 +92,6 @@ endif
 # Platform settings specific to Solaris
 ifeq ($(SYSTEM_UNAME), SunOS)
   PLATFORM = solaris
-  OS_NAME = solaris
-  OS_VERSION := $(shell uname -r)
   # Solaris sparc build can be either 32-bit or 64-bit.
   #   Default to 32, but allow explicit setting to 32 or 64.
   ifndef ARCH_DATA_MODEL
@@ -166,16 +143,6 @@ ifeq ($(SYSTEM_UNAME), SunOS)
   endif
   # Suffix for file bundles used in previous release
   BUNDLE_FILE_SUFFIX=.tar
-  OS_VENDOR = Sun Microsystems
-  # Required Solaris version
-  REQUIRED_OS_VERSION = 5.10
-  # Minimum disk space needed as determined by running 'du -sk' on 
-  #    a fully built workspace.
-  ifeq ($(ARCH_FAMILY), sparc)
-    REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE=1300000
-  else
-    REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE=1040000
-  endif
   # How much RAM does this machine have:
   MB_OF_MEMORY=$(shell /etc/prtconf | fgrep 'Memory size:' | expand | cut -d' ' -f3)
 endif
@@ -183,8 +150,6 @@ endif
 # Platform settings specific to Linux
 ifeq ($(SYSTEM_UNAME), Linux)
   PLATFORM = linux
-  OS_NAME = linux
-  OS_VERSION := $(shell uname -r)
   # Arch and OS name/version
   mach := $(shell uname -m)
   archExpr = case "$(mach)" in \
@@ -242,32 +207,6 @@ ifeq ($(SYSTEM_UNAME), Linux)
 
   # Suffix for file bundles used in previous release
   BUNDLE_FILE_SUFFIX=.tar.gz
-  # Minimum disk space needed as determined by running 'du -sk' on 
-  #    a fully built workspace.
-  REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE=1460000
-  LINUX_VERSION_INFO = /etc/redhat-release
-  OS_VENDOR = Red Hat
-  ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
-    REQUIRED_LINUX_VER = Advanced Server
-    REQUIRED_LINUX_FULLVER = Advanced Server release 2.1AS
-    REQUIRED_OS_VERSION = 2.4.9-e.3
-  else
-    ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
-      LINUX_VERSION_INFO = /etc/SuSE-release
-      OS_VENDOR = SuSE Enterprise
-      REQUIRED_LINUX_VER = 8.1
-      REQUIRED_LINUX_FULLVER = $(REQUIRED_LINUX_VER) SLSE AMD64
-      REQUIRED_OS_VERSION = 2.4.19-SMP
-    else
-      REQUIRED_LINUX_VER = Advanced Server
-      REQUIRED_LINUX_FULLVER = Advanced Server release 2.1AS 64 bit
-      REQUIRED_OS_VERSION = 2.4.19-SMP
-    endif
-  endif
-  ifneq ($(ARCH), ia64)
-    # ALSA 0.9.1 and above
-    REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION = ^((0[.]9[.][1-9])|(1[.]0[.][0-9]))[0-9]*
-  endif
   # How much RAM does this machine have:
   MB_OF_MEMORY := $(shell free -m | fgrep Mem: | awk '{print $$2;}' )
 endif
@@ -275,23 +214,15 @@ endif
 # Windows with and without CYGWIN will be slightly different
 ifeq ($(SYSTEM_UNAME), Windows_NT)
   PLATFORM = windows
-  OS_VERSION := $(shell uname -r)
-  WINDOWS_NT_VERSION_STRING=Windows_NT
-  REQUIRED_MKS_VER=6.1
 endif
 ifneq (,$(findstring CYGWIN,$(SYSTEM_UNAME)))
   PLATFORM = windows
-  OS_VERSION := 5
   USING_CYGWIN = true
   export USING_CYGWIN
-  WINDOWS_NT_VERSION_STRING=CYGWIN_NT
-  REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER=4.0
 endif
 
 # Platform settings specific to Windows
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
-  OS_NAME = nt
-  REQUIRED_OS_VERSION=5
   # Windows builds default to the appropriate for the underlaying
   # architecture.
   # Temporary disk area
@@ -314,7 +245,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     # If the user wants to perform a cross compile build then they must
     # - set ARCH_DATA_MODEL=64 and either
     #      + set ARCH to ia64 or amd64, or
-    REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION=Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition
     ifeq ($(word 1, $(PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER)), AMD64)
       ARCH=amd64
     else
@@ -324,8 +254,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     # Value of Java os.arch property
     ARCHPROP=$(LIBARCH)
   else
-    REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION=2000 or Unknown
-    #REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION=XP Professional
     # LIBARCH is used to preserve the jre/lib/i386 directory name for 32-bit intel
     ARCH=i586
     LIBARCH=i386
@@ -364,14 +292,9 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   ARCH_VM_SUBDIR=jre/bin
   # Suffix for file bundles used in previous release
   BUNDLE_FILE_SUFFIX=.tar
-  # Minimum disk space needed as determined by running 'du -sk' on 
-  #    a fully built workspace.
-  REQUIRED_FREE_SPACE=500000
   # ISHIELD_TEMP_MIN is the difference of an empty C:\TEMP vs. one after a
   #     bundles build on windows.
   ISHIELD_TEMP_MIN=250000
-  REQUIRED_DXSDK_VER = 0x0900
-  OS_VENDOR = Microsoft
   # How much RAM does this machine have:
   ifeq ($(JDK_HAS_MEM_INFO),)
     ifeq ($(USING_CYGWIN),true)
@@ -410,10 +333,6 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   endif
 endif
 
-REQUIRED_ZIP_VER = 2.2
-REQUIRED_UNZIP_VER = 5.12
-REQUIRED_MAKE_VER = 3.78
-
 # Unix type settings (same for all unix platforms)
 ifneq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   # Temporary disk area
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity-Settings.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity-Settings.gmk
index f3ea2b35a79..54f1f5fc143 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity-Settings.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity-Settings.gmk
@@ -167,8 +167,6 @@ ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,ARCHPROP)
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM),windows)
   ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE)
   ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER)
-  ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,WINDOWS_VERSION)
-  ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,WINDOWS_NT_VERSION_STRING)
   ifdef USING_CYGWIN
     ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,USING_CYGWIN)
     ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredVersionSetting,CYGWIN_VER)
@@ -179,13 +177,11 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM),windows)
   endif
 endif
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM),linux)
-  ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,LINUX_VERSION)
-  ifneq ($(ARCH), ia64)
-    ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,ALSA_VERSION)
-  endif
+  ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,ALSA_VERSION)
 endif
 ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredVersionSetting,OS_VERSION)
-ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,OS_NAME)
+ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addOptionalSetting,OS_VARIANT_NAME)
+ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addOptionalSetting,OS_VARIANT_VERSION)
 ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,TEMP_FREE_SPACE)
 ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,FREE_SPACE)
 ALL_SETTINGS+=$(call addRequiredSetting,MB_OF_MEMORY)
diff --git a/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity.gmk b/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity.gmk
index 997e848904a..a3c421e74b3 100644
--- a/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity.gmk
+++ b/jdk/make/common/shared/Sanity.gmk
@@ -38,60 +38,106 @@
 SANITY_FILES =  $(ERROR_FILE) $(WARNING_FILE) $(MESSAGE_FILE)
 
 # How to say "The Release Engineering people use this"
-THE_OFFICIAL_USES=The official $(PLATFORM) builds use
+THE_OFFICIAL_USES=The official builds on $(PLATFORM) use
 
 # How to say "You are using:"
 YOU_ARE_USING=You appear to be using
 
+# Error message
+define SanityError
+$(ECHO) "ERROR: $1\n" >> $(ERROR_FILE)
+endef
+
+# Warning message
+define SanityWarning
+$(ECHO) "WARNING: $1\n" >> $(WARNING_FILE)
+endef
+
+# Official version error message: name version required_version
+define OfficialErrorMessage
+$(call SanityError,\
+$(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) $1 $3. Your $1 $(if $2,undefined,$2) will not work.)
+endef
+
+# Official version warning message: name version required_version
+define OfficialWarningMessage
+$(call SanityWarning,\
+$(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) $1 $3. $(YOU_ARE_USING) $1 $2.)
+endef
+
+
 # Settings and rules to validate the JDK build environment.
 
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
   FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) -b $(OUTPUTDIR) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$2;}')
   TEMP_FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) -b $(TEMP_DISK) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$2;}')
+  # What kind of system we are using (Variations are Solaris and OpenSolaris)
+  OS_VERSION := $(shell uname -r)
+  OS_VARIANT_NAME := $(strip $(shell head -1 /etc/release | awk '{print $$1;}') )
+  OS_VARIANT_VERSION := $(OS_VERSION)
   REQ_PATCH_LIST = $(JDK_TOPDIR)/make/PatchList.solaris
   ifeq ($(ARCH_FAMILY), sparc)
     PATCH_POSITION = $$4
   else
     PATCH_POSITION = $$6
   endif
+  ifndef OPENJDK
+    _GCC_VER :=$(shell $(GCC) -dumpversion 2>&1 )
+    GCC_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_GCC_VER)")
+  endif
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), linux)
   FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) --sync -kP $(OUTPUTDIR) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$4;}')
   TEMP_FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) --sync -kP $(TEMP_DISK) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$4;}')
-  ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
-    LINUX_VERSION := $(shell \
-        if [ -r "$(LINUX_VERSION_INFO)" ] ; then \
-          $(CAT) $(LINUX_VERSION_INFO) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{ print $$3; }';\
-        else \
-          $(ECHO) "Unknown linux"; \
-        fi )
-  else
-    LINUX_VERSION := $(shell \
-        if [ -r "$(LINUX_VERSION_INFO)" ] ; then \
-          $(NAWK) '{ print $$4" "$$5; }' $(LINUX_VERSION_INFO) ; \
-        else \
-          $(ECHO) "Unknown linux"; \
-        fi )
-  endif
-  ifneq ($(ARCH), ia64)
-    # dummy program that outputs ALSA's version (created in target sane-alsa-versioncheck)
-    ALSA_VERSION_CHECK = $(TEMPDIR)/alsaversioncheck
-    ALSA_VERSION = `if [ -f "$(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK)" ] ; then $(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK) ; fi`
-  endif
+  # What kind of system we are using (Variation is the Linux vendor)
+  OS_VERSION := $(shell uname -r)
+  OS_VARIANT_NAME := $(shell \
+    if [ -f /etc/fedora-release ] ; then \
+      echo "Fedora"; \
+    elif [ -f /etc/redhat-release ] ; then \
+      echo "RedHat"; \
+    elif [ -f /etc/SuSE-release ] ; then \
+      echo "SuSE"; \
+    else \
+      echo "Unknown"; \
+    fi)
+  OS_VARIANT_VERSION := $(shell \
+    if [ "$(OS_VARIANT_NAME)" = "Fedora" ] ; then \
+      $(CAT) /etc/fedora-release | $(HEAD) -1 | $(NAWK) '{ print $$3; }' ; \
+    fi)
+  ALSA_INCLUDE=/usr/include/alsa/version.h
+  ALSA_LIBRARY=/usr/lib/libasound.so
+  _ALSA_VERSION := $(shell $(EGREP) SND_LIB_VERSION_STR $(ALSA_INCLUDE) | \
+           $(SED) -e 's@.*\"\(.*\)\".*@\1@' )
+  ALSA_VERSION := $(call GetVersion,$(_ALSA_VERSION))
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) -kP $(OUTPUTDIR) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$4;}')
   TEMP_FREE_SPACE := $(shell $(DF) -kP $(TEMP_DISK) | $(TAIL) -1 | $(NAWK) '{print $$4;}')
-  # Localized systeminfo has localized labels, but not localized values.
-  _WINDOWS_VERSION := \
-    $(shell systeminfo 2> $(DEV_NULL) | grep 'Microsoft' | grep 'Windows' | \
-	 cut -d':' -f2)
-  ifeq ($(_WINDOWS_VERSION),)
-    _WINDOWS_VERSION := Windows 2000 or Unknown (no systeminfo utility)
+  # Windows 2000 is 5.0, Windows XP is 5.1, Windows 2003 is 5.2
+  #    Assume 5.0 (Windows 2000) if systeminfo does not help
+  WINDOWS_MAPPING-5.0 := Windows2000
+  WINDOWS_MAPPING-5.1 := WindowsXP
+  WINDOWS_MAPPING-5.2 := Windows2003
+  # What kind of system we are using (Variation is the common name)
+  _OS_VERSION := \
+    $(shell systeminfo 2> $(DEV_NULL) | \
+            egrep '^OS Version:' | \
+            awk '{print $$3;}' )
+  ifeq ($(_OS_VERSION),)
+    OS_VERSION = 5.0
+  else
+    OS_VERSION = $(_OS_VERSION)
+  endif
+  OS_VARIANT_NAME := $(WINDOWS_MAPPING-$(OS_VERSION))
+  OS_VARIANT_VERSION := $(OS_VERSION)
+  ifdef USING_CYGWIN
+    # CYGWIN version
+    _CYGWIN_VER := $(SYSTEM_UNAME)
+    CYGWIN_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,$(_CYGWIN_VER))
   endif
-  WINDOWS_VERSION := $(strip $(_WINDOWS_VERSION))
   DXSDK_VER := $(shell $(EGREP) DIRECT3D_VERSION $(DXSDK_INCLUDE_PATH)/d3d9.h 2>&1 | \
     $(EGREP) "\#define" | $(NAWK) '{print $$3}')
 endif
@@ -106,7 +152,6 @@ ZIP_VER    :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_ZIP_VER)")
 UNZIP_VER  :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_UNZIP_VER)")
 BOOT_VER   :=$(call GetVersion,"$(_BOOT_VER)")
 
-REQUIRED_ANT_VER := 1.6.3
 _ANT_VER:=$(shell $(ANT) -version 2>&1 )
 ANT_VER:=$(call GetVersion,"$(_ANT_VER)")
 
@@ -167,7 +212,6 @@ include $(JDK_MAKE_SHARED_DIR)/Sanity-Settings.gmk
 	sane-compiler \
 	sane-link \
 	sane-cacerts \
-	sane-alsa-versioncheck \
 	sane-alsa-headers \
 	sane-ant_version \
 	sane-zip_version \
@@ -239,35 +283,29 @@ sane-arch_data_model:
 #         generate a fatal sanity error, and a warning about the official
 #         build platform just becomes clutter.
 ######################################################
-OS_CHECK :=$(call CheckVersions,$(OS_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION))
+ifndef OPENJDK
+  OS_VERSION_CHECK := \
+    $(call CheckVersions,$(OS_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION))
+  ifeq ($(OS_VARIANT_NAME),$(REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME))
+    OS_VARIANT_VERSION_CHECK := \
+      $(call CheckVersions,$(OS_VARIANT_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION))
+  endif
+endif
 sane-os_version:: sane-arch_data_model sane-memory_check sane-locale sane-os_patch_level
 ifndef OPENJDK
-	@if [ "$(OS_CHECK)" = "missing" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The $(PLATFORM) OS version is undefined (Try: uname -r). \n" \
-	    "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-	@if [ "$(OS_CHECK)" != "same" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "WARNING: $(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) OS version $(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION). \n" \
-	    "        $(YOU_ARE_USING) OS version $(OS_VERSION). \n" \
-	    "" >> $(WARNING_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-  ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
-	@if [ "$(findstring $(REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION),$(WINDOWS_VERSION))" = "" ]; then \
-	    $(ECHO) "WARNING: $(YOU_ARE_USING) an unknown version of Windows. \n" \
-	      "        The required version is $(REQUIRED_WINDOWS_VERSION). \n" \
-	      "        $(YOU_ARE_USING) $(WINDOWS_VERSION) \n" \
-	      "" >> $(WARNING_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-  endif # windows
-  ifeq ($(PLATFORM), linux)
-	@if [ `$(ECHO) "$(LINUX_VERSION)" | $(EGREP) -c '$(REQUIRED_LINUX_VER)'` -ne 1 ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "WARNING: The build is being done on Linux $(LINUX_VERSION). \n" \
-	    "        $(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) Linux $(REQUIRED_LINUX_VER), \n" \
-	    "        specifically Linux $(REQUIRED_LINUX_FULLVER). \n" \
-	    "        The version found was '$(OS_VERSION)'. \n" \
-	    "" >> $(WARNING_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-  endif # linux
+  ifneq ($(OS_VARIANT_NAME),$(REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME))
+    ifeq ($(OS_VERSION_CHECK),missing)
+	@$(call OfficialErrorMessage,OS version,$(OS_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION))
+    endif
+    ifneq ($(OS_VERSION_CHECK),same)
+	@$(call OfficialWarningMessage,OS version,$(OS_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VERSION))
+    endif
+	@$(call OfficialWarningMessage,OS variant,$(OS_VARIANT_NAME),$(REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_NAME))
+  else
+    ifneq ($(OS_VARIANT_VERSION_CHECK),same)
+	@$(call OfficialWarningMessage,$(OS_VARIANT_NAME) version,$(OS_VARIANT_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_OS_VARIANT_VERSION))
+    endif
+  endif
 endif # OPENJDK
 
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
@@ -308,16 +346,12 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
   CYGWIN_CHECK :=$(call CheckVersions,$(CYGWIN_VER),$(REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER))
 sane-cygwin:
   ifdef USING_CYGWIN
-	@if [ "$(CYGWIN_CHECK)" = "missing" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The CYGWIN version is undefined. \n" \
-	    "      $(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) CYGWIN $(REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER). \n" \
-	    "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-	@if [ "$(CYGWIN_CHECK)" = "older" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The build cannot be done on CYGWIN $(CYGWIN_VER). \n" \
-	    "      Use CYGWIN $(REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER) or higher. \n" \
-	    "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
-	fi
+    ifeq ($(CYGWIN_CHECK),missing)
+	@$(call OfficialErrorMessage,CYGWIN version,$(CYGWIN_VER),$(REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER))
+    endif
+    ifeq ($(CYGWIN_CHECK),older)
+	@$(call OfficialWarningMessage,CYGWIN version,$(CYGWIN_VER),$(REQUIRED_CYGWIN_VER))
+    endif
   endif
 endif
 
@@ -345,16 +379,12 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     MKS_CHECK :=$(call CheckVersions,$(MKS_VER),$(REQUIRED_MKS_VER))
 sane-mks:
   ifndef USING_CYGWIN
-	@if [ "$(MKS_CHECK)" = "missing" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The MKS version is undefined. \n" \
-	    "      $(THE_OFFICIAL_USES) MKS $(REQUIRED_MKS_VER). \n" \
-	    "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
-	fi
-	@if [ "$(MKS_CHECK)" = "older" ]; then \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The build cannot be done on MKS $(MKS_VER). \n" \
-	    "      Use MKS $(REQUIRED_MKS_VER) or higher. \n" \
-	    "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
-	fi
+    ifeq ($(MKS_CHECK),missing)
+	@$(call OfficialErrorMessage,MKS version,$(MKS_VER),$(REQUIRED_MKS_VER))
+    endif
+    ifeq ($(MKS_CHECK),older)
+	@$(call OfficialErrorMessage,MKS version,$(MKS_VER),$(REQUIRED_MKS_VER))
+    endif
   endif
 endif
 
@@ -1295,11 +1325,6 @@ endif
 # Check the compiler version(s)
 ######################################################
 CC_CHECK  :=$(call CheckVersions,$(CC_VER),$(REQUIRED_CC_VER))
-ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
-  ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 32)
-    GCC_CHECK :=$(call CheckVersions,$(GCC_VER),$(REQUIRED_GCC_VER))
-  endif
-endif
 sane-compiler: sane-link
 	@if [ "$(CC_CHECK)" = "missing" ]; then \
 	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: The Compiler version is undefined. \n" \
@@ -1314,16 +1339,6 @@ ifndef OPENJDK
 	      "          $(COMPILER_PATH) \n" \
 	      "" >> $(WARNING_FILE) ; \
          fi
-  ifdef GCC_CHECK
-	  @if [ "$(GCC_CHECK)" != "same" ]; then \
-	      $(ECHO) "WARNING: The $(PLATFORM) GCC compiler must be version $(REQUIRED_GCC_VER) \n" \
-	      "      $(YOU_ARE_USING) compiler version: $(GCC_VER) \n" \
-	      "      The compiler was obtained from the following location: \n" \
-	      "          $(GCC_COMPILER_PATH) \n" \
-	      "      Please change your compiler. \n" \
-	      "" >> $(WARNING_FILE) ; \
-	  fi
-  endif
   ifeq ($(PLATFORM), windows)
     ifeq ($(ARCH_DATA_MODEL), 64)
       ifneq ($(COMPILER_VERSION), VS2005)
@@ -1337,39 +1352,24 @@ endif
 ######################################################
 # Check that ALSA headers and libs are installed and 
 # that the header has the right version. We only
-# need /usr/include/alsa/*.h and /usr/lib/libasound.so
+# need /usr/include/alsa/version.h and /usr/lib/libasound.so
 ######################################################
 
-ifdef ALSA_VERSION_CHECK
-$(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK): $(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK).c
-	@$(prep-target)
-	@$(CC) -lasound -o $@ $<
-
-$(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK).c:
-	@$(prep-target)
-	@$(ECHO) "#include <alsa/asoundlib.h>\n" \
-		 "#include <stdio.h>\n" \
-		 "int main(int argc, char** argv) {\n" \
-		 "  printf(\"%s\", SND_LIB_VERSION_STR);\n" \
-		 "  return 0;\n" \
-		 "}\n" \
-                    > $@
+ifdef REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION
+  ALSA_CHECK := $(call CheckVersions,$(ALSA_VERSION),$(REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION))
 endif
-
-sane-alsa-versioncheck: $(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK)
-sane-alsa-headers: sane-alsa-versioncheck
-ifdef ALSA_VERSION_CHECK
-	@if [ -f "$(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK)" ]; then \
-	  if [ `$(ALSA_VERSION_CHECK) | $(EGREP) -c '$(REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION)'` -ne 1 ] ; then \
-	    $(ECHO) "ERROR: The ALSA version must be 0.9.1 or higher. \n" \
-	      "      You have the following ALSA version installed: $(ALSA_VERSION) \n" \
+sane-alsa-headers:
+ifdef REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION
+        if [ "$(ALSA_CHECK)" != "same" -a "$(ALSA_CHECK)" != "newer"  ] ; then \
+	    $(ECHO) "ERROR: The ALSA version must be $(REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION) or higher. \n" \
+	      "      You have the following ALSA version installed: $${alsa_version) \n" \
 	      "      Please reinstall ALSA (drivers and lib). You can download \n" \
 	      "      the source distribution from http://www.alsa-project.org \n" \
 	      "      or go to http://www.freshrpms.net/docs/alsa/ for precompiled RPM packages. \n" \
 	      "" >> $(ERROR_FILE) ; \
 	  fi \
 	else \
-	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: You seem to not have installed ALSA 0.9.1 or higher. \n" \
+	  $(ECHO) "ERROR: You seem to not have installed ALSA $(REQUIRED_ALSA_VERSION) or higher. \n" \
 	  "      Please install ALSA (drivers and lib). You can download the \n" \
 	  "      source distribution from http://www.alsa-project.org or go to \n" \
 	  "      http://www.freshrpms.net/docs/alsa/ for precompiled RPM packages. \n" \
@@ -1384,7 +1384,7 @@ $(SANITY_FILES):
 ######################################################
 # dump out the variable settings...
 ######################################################
-sane-settings:: sane-alsa-versioncheck
+sane-settings::
 	@$(ECHO)  >> $(MESSAGE_FILE)
 	@$(ECHO) $(ALL_SETTINGS)  >> $(MESSAGE_FILE)
 	@$(ECHO)  >> $(MESSAGE_FILE)
@@ -1453,8 +1453,8 @@ sane-gcc-compiler:
 ifeq ($(PLATFORM), solaris)
   ifndef OPENJDK
     @if [ -r $(GCC_COMPILER_PATH) ]; then \
-	  if [ ! "$(GCC_VER)" = 2.95.2 ]; then \
-	    $(ECHO) "ERROR: The Solaris GCC compiler version must be 2.95.2. \n" \
+	  if [ ! "$(GCC_VER)" = $(REQUIRED_GCC_VERSION) ]; then \
+	    $(ECHO) "ERROR: The Solaris GCC compiler version must be $(REQUIRED_GCC_VERSION). \n" \
 	      "      You are using the following compiler version: $(GCC_VER) \n" \
 	      "      The compiler was obtained from the following location: \n" \
 	      "          $(GCC_COMPILER_PATH) \n" \