make config/menuconfig not there --noob

[n644dc]

Im fairly new to linux and this is my first time compiling a kernal other than on a debian system and im trying to utilize the 2.6.11.7 base and this is as far as i get

-i bzip it to /usr/src
- I # cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7
-then when i goto do make mrproper i get ..
make: gcc: Command not found
/usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7/scripts/gcc-version.sh: line 11: gcc: command not found
/usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7/scripts/gcc-version.sh: line 12: gcc: command not found
make: gcc: Command not found
make: gcc: Command not found
etc....
-then i try make menuconfig and i get...
make: gcc: Command not found
/usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7/scripts/gcc-version.sh: line 11: gcc: command not found
/usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7/scripts/gcc-version.sh: line 12: gcc: command not found
make: gcc: Command not found
HOSTCC scripts/basic/fixdep
/bin/sh: gcc: command not found
make[1]: *** [scripts/basic/fixdep] Error 127
make: *** [scripts_basic] Error 2

i did yum install ncurses-devel but i still get the same errors
any thoughts on what im doing wrong would be very helpful
Im sorry if this solution is posted somewhere else but i couldnt find it

[tashirosgt]

Do you have gcc installed? Do
rpm -q gcc
and see if it reports anything. My machine reports
gcc-3.4.2-6.fc3