How to install ATHEROS drivers for wireless card.

imdeemvp · #1 20th February 2005, 02:16 AM

I had success installing my airlink101 AWLC4030 Super G™ Wireless Cardbus Adapter. This device uses the atheros drivers which in linux are called the madwifi drivers and as you can see you can get these packages from atrpms. If you have this repository in your yum.conf you can install via yum and a dependency will be needed to install the drivers. The dependency is installed according to your kernel version. These drives are also available for AMD 64.

I would like to let people know that there is a distro that comes with all the browser plug-ins included and it is PCLinuxOS which is a great distro for newbies. It has 2 versions one for ATI and Nvidia drivers allready installed. It also includes limewire, amule, bittorrent and a lot of wireless support. So check it out!!

Go here for Intel ProWireless drivers intallation.

TIP: If you want to use the latest kernel after a fresh installation open terminal and run:

Code:

yum upgrade kernel

1.Please note that everytime you upgrade the kernel reinstallation of dependency is required.

2.To find out if your card uses the atheros drivers go here and do a seach. Or run: /sbin/lspci to see the chipset.

3. Cards supported by madwifi.

UPDATE: Let us begin by adding atrmps to your repo data base, if you already have it skip this step . Now open terminal and become root and run this command:

Code:

gedit /etc/yum.repos.d/atrpms.repo

and add this lines:

Quote:

[atrpms]
name=ATrpms for Fedora Core $releasever stable
baseurl=http://apt.atrpms.net/fedora/$releasever/en/$basearch/at-stable
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1

and click on SAVE , also root import the gpg key from the terminal: rpm --import http://atrpms.net/RPM-GPG-KEY.atrpms

This is an example of how I did:

Quote:

[imdeemvp@myfc3 ~]$ uname -r
2.6.11-1.14_FC3
[imdeemvp@myfc3 ~]$

MAJOR UPDATE: All you have to do NOW is run the yum install madwifi command as root and please note the following dependy will be needed which is according to the kernel version:

Code:

madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3.i686 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at

Code:

yum install madwifi

and this will be the result:

Quote:

[root@myfc3 imdeemvp]# yum install madwifi
Setting up Install Process
Setting up Repo: base
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
Setting up Repo: updates-released
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00
Setting up Repo: atrpms-stable
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00
Reading repository metadata in from local files
primary.xml.gz 100% |=========================| 797 kB 00:20
MD Read : ################################################## 2623/2623
base : ################################################## 2622/2622
primary.xml.gz 100% |=========================| 351 kB 00:09
MD Read : ################################################## 885/885
updates-re: ################################################## 885/885
primary.xml.gz 100% |=========================| 332 kB 00:08
MD Read : ################################################## 1060/1060
atrpms-sta: ################################################## 1060/1060
Resolving Dependencies
--> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait.
---> Downloading header for madwifi to pack into transaction set.
madwifi-0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3 100% |=========================| 1.9 kB 00:00
---> Package madwifi.i386 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at set to be installed
--> Running transaction check
--> Processing Dependency: madwifi-kmdl-0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at for package: madwifi
--> Restarting Dependency Resolution with new changes.
--> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait.
---> Downloading header for madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3 to pack into transaction set.
madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_ 100% |=========================| 4.2 kB 00:00
---> Package madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3.i686 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at set to be installed
--> Running transaction check

Dependencies Resolved
Transaction Listing:
Install: madwifi.i386 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at

Performing the following to resolve dependencies:
Install: madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3.i686 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
madwifi-0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3 100% |=========================| 2.4 kB 00:00
madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_ 100% |=========================| 165 kB 00:04
Running Transaction Test
Finished Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
Installing: madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3 100 % done 1/2
Installing: madwifi 100 % done 2/2

Installed: madwifi.i386 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at
Dependency Installed: madwifi-kmdl-2.6.11-1.14_FC3.i686 0:0.9.4.12-16.rhfc3.at
Complete!
[root@myfc3 imdeemvp]#

We are not done you have to go to system tools >internet configuration wizard and setup the wireless connection. You may also run into some issues like I did. My wireless was SLOW so I asked for help and this was the SOLUTION!

You may also need some extra tools to monitor your wireless connection and in this tutorial you can learn how to do it. I personally use gkrellm to monitor my wireless connection (=ath0). I am posting my wireless configuration:

Quote:

[imdeemvp@myfc3 ~]$ cat /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ath0
# Please read /usr/share/doc/initscripts-*/sysconfig.txt
# for the documentation of these parameters.
IPV6INIT=no
ONBOOT=yes
USERCTL=yes
PEERDNS=no
GATEWAY=
TYPE=Wireless
DEVICE=ath0
HWADDR=00:0f:ax:xb:xd:ax <<- this was modified before posting
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
NETMASK=
DHCP_HOSTNAME=
IPADDR=
DOMAIN=
ESSID=mybelxxx.xxx
CHANNEL=6
MODE=Managed
RATE=auto
[imdeemvp@myfc3 ~]$

PLEASE READ THE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE.

I created this little how to in my laptop as I was wireless connected! I am also posting some screenshot to give you an idea how your setting should look like. ONE quick tip I make the NetworkMangerInfo start during my login by adding it to session >startup program

IF YOU HAVE CONNECTION PROBLEMS DO THE FOLLOWING: You can try to download the kernel http://atrpms.net/dist/fc3/kernel/ burn in a cd, copy to hard drive and install it and do same for madwifi drivers and make sure you are VERY careful in the kernel you choose. OR if you have a pen flash drive save it there and transfer it to you fc3 box! Also note the that drivers are supported from kernel 2.6.10-737 and higher. For more repos read this how-to. superbner thanks for telling me which drivers to use!

If you encounter any issues with AR5212 see it this helps: http://linux.seindal.dk/item23.html

ALSO same concent applies to INTEL PRO wireless as you can see. Which uses the ipw2200 wireless linux drivers.

Atheros.com

raffe · #2 27th February 2005, 10:37 PM

Hi!

I have a D-Link DWL-G650, an athros compatible i think.

I did this:
[root@localhost ~]# uname -r
2.6.10-1.766_FC3

I check for the file name here: http://atrpms.net/dist/fc3/madwifi/

So I try:
[root@localhost ~]# yum install madwifi-kmdl-2.6.10-1.766_FC3-0.9.4.12-15.rhfc3.at.i686.rpm
Setting up Install Process
Setting up Repo: base
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
Setting up Repo: updates-released
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00
Reading repository metadata in from local files
base : ################################################## 2622/2622
updates-re: ################################################## 722/722
No Match for argument madwifi-kmdl-2.6.10-1.766_FC3-0.9.4.12-15.rhfc3.at.i686.rpm
Nothing to do

I try:
[root@localhost ~]# yum install madwifi-kmdl-2.6.10-1.766_FC3-0.9.4.12-15.rhfc3.at.i686
Setting up Install Process
Setting up Repo: base
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
Setting up Repo: updates-released
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00
Reading repository metadata in from local files
base : ################################################## 2622/2622
updates-re: ################################################## 722/722
No Match for argument madwifi-kmdl-2.6.10-1.766_FC3-0.9.4.12-15.rhfc3.at.i686
Nothing to do

I try:
[root@localhost ~]# yum install madwifi
Setting up Install Process
Setting up Repo: base
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
Setting up Repo: updates-released
http://fedora-mirror.dkuug.dk/linux/...ta/repomd.xml: [Errno 4] IOError: HTTP Error 404: Not Found
Trying other mirror.
repomd.xml 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00
Reading repository metadata in from local files
base : ################################################## 2622/2622
updates-re: ################################################## 722/722
No Match for argument madwifi
Nothing to do

What do I do wrong, have I missed something?

imdeemvp · #3 27th February 2005, 10:43 PM

Are you using atrmps as a repository? if not just add it to your repos. First open terminal become root and run:

Code:

gedit /etc/yum.repos.d/atrpms.repo

and add this lines

Quote:

[atrpms-stable]
name=ATrpms for Fedora Core $releasever stable
baseurl=http://apt.atrpms.net/fedora/$releasever/en/$basearch/at-stable
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1

and import the key: rpm --import http://atrpms.net/RPM-GPG-KEY.atrpms

Or here is another SOLUTION if you dont have repos setup: In your user home directory create folder and name it madwifi and download each package needed and install from terminal. Open terminal, become root and:

[imdeemvp@myfc3 ~]$ cd madwifi/
[imdeemvp@myfc3 madwifi]$ su
Password:
[root@myfc3 madwifi]# rpm -ivh * <<-- this command will install everything at the same time.

raffe · #4 28th February 2005, 09:49 PM

Hi!

I did "gedit /etc/yum.repos.d/atrpms.repo", put in your magic text and imported the key, and after that the yum things worked well. Thanks

Now you would think that I'm happy and networking with my wireless card, but don't know how to "start" it. You probably understand by now that I'm new to Linux

, but I really though I could do this. I have tested this (from http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3452):
4) edit your /etc/modprobe.conf, add the line "alias ath0 ath_pci"
5) create a file named ifcfg-ath0 in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts
STARTMODE=hotplug
DEVICE=ath0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
WIRELESS=yes
MODE=Managed
ESSID=any
IPV6INIT=no
onBOOT=yes
USERCTL=no
PEERDNS=no
6) ifconfig ath0 up
atho: unknown interface: No such device
7) ifup ath0
shell-init: error retrieving current directory: getcwd: cannot access parent directories: No such file or directory
chdir: error retrieving current directory: getcwd: cannot access parent directories: No such file or directory
ath_pci device ath0 does not seem to be present, delaying initialization.

I also try this:
service network restart
shell-init: error retrieving current directory: getcwd: cannot access parent directories: No such file or directory
chdir: error retrieving current directory: getcwd: cannot access parent directories: No such file or directory
Shutting down interface eth0: [ OK ]
Shutting down loopback interface: [ OK ]
Setting network parameters: [ OK ]
Bringing up loopback interface: [ OK ]
Bringing up interface eth0: [ OK ]

How do I get ath0 to wake up?

imdeemvp · #5 1st March 2005, 12:09 AM

Go to system tools> internet connection wizard >wireless and set it up...

raffe · #6 1st March 2005, 07:00 AM

When I go to "system tools> internet connection wizard >wireless" I can't find "Atheros" or "Madwifi" in the drivers selection (even if I did I'm not sure what to write in the textboxes).

When I boot the computer it says it have found new hardware. Is that a good way to go?

imdeemvp · #7 1st March 2005, 10:10 AM

Yes, and select that one that says Do Nothing (i believe) but it should be that one that says you will no be prompted at boot anymore. If your drivers were installed properly it should show under the wizard.

raffe · #8 1st March 2005, 08:34 PM

Sorry, here again... Hmm, don't see the athros in the "system tools> internet connection wizard >wireless". I have tried to "ignore", "do nothing" and "configure" at boot. The last give me an eth1 that don't work at all (can't activate).

I looked here: http://madwifiwiki.thewebhost.de/wik...cC54COnRedHat9 and tested the "tail -f /var/log/messages". When I take out the D-link G650 I get nothing at all. When I put it in I get:
Mar 1 21:13:21 localhost kernel: PCI: Enabling device 0000:0b:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
Mar 1 21:13:21 localhost kernel: ACPI: PCI interrupt 0000:0b:00.0[A]: no GSI - using IRQ 0
Mar 1 21:13:21 localhost kernel: ath%d: request_irq failed

On the same site I can read "RedHat 8.0 with D-Link DWL-G650 Rev C --2004/02/01 07:54 CET This worked perfectly for my D-Link DWL-G650 Rev C 168c:0013 (rev 01) on RedHat". It's almost the same that I have, but I have H/W Ver.

2.

So I seem to have two problems:
1. The madwifi drivers don't show up
2. The card can't get a irq

imdeemvp · #9 1st March 2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

The last give me an eth1 that don't work at all (can't activate).

I think you are doing something wrong....eth1 is for a regular nic and ath0 should be for your wireless re read the how to and reinstall drivers. Why dont you start a thread....

raffe · #10 2nd March 2005, 07:10 AM

Hi! OK, I will try to reinstall. Some last questions:

1. How do I "uninstall" the automatically detected hardware (eth1 that don't work), so I can try this all from the beginning? By the way, I now remember to write that when It was detected at boot and I selected "configure" it sayd "atheros communications" (or something similar).

2. When I replyed to this howto, I directly thought "ow, I'm so stupid, nowbody will reply me here, I should have started a thread in the normal forums

", so I started a thread in "Laptos" http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11 There I have no replys at all. You are the only one who have tried to help me. Is there a better sub forum for this?

Sorry for bothering you

dvdz · #11 4th May 2005, 12:17 AM

i get the exact same errors on a toshiba satellite a75-s231 laptop. I have a different network card but the madwifi had my chipset browser...ANy way same exact thing, doesnt show up in the internet setup....Any ideas/alternatives?

oshman · #12 4th May 2005, 02:56 AM

No Atheros cards listed in internet setup. What to do?

imdeemvp · #13 4th May 2005, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshman

No Atheros cards listed in internet setup. What to do?

You need to specify the exact card you are using....atheros is the chipset not the card.

raffe · #14 4th May 2005, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvdz

i get the exact same errors on a toshiba satellite a75-s231 laptop. I have a different network card but the madwifi had my chipset browser...ANy way same exact thing, doesnt show up in the internet setup....Any ideas/alternatives?

Hi dvdz!

I had two problems:
1. ACPI stopped my card from starting up. See here http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44954 how "I" (others did the real solving

) solved it.

2. The card had conflicts with io-ports and/or io-memory. See here http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=47596 how "I" solved that one.

/Raffe

imdeemvp · #15 4th May 2005, 07:14 AM

Awesome raffe!.....my installation was hassle free so I did not have to do a lot of research as you did. But great info you have provided for those with a toshiba lopbox.