Are you using DEL? What version? Create a new Uboot/Kernel/rootfs project ,go to kernel configuration screen and add gpio_test application. It will also add a gpio module for you. Do not change anything else. Build the kernel and rootfs, install, load. It will compile with no errors. Follow instructions in online help to create nodes for GPIOs in example, load gpio module and run gpio_test example. It runs fine, i've done it myself. Once al this is working for you you can start making changes to the example and the module.