Fresh FC3 Install -> PCMCIA WiFi not detected

BlackFrancis75 · #1 21st April 2005, 08:49 AM

Hi All,
Can someone help out a linux newbie?
I just installed Fedora Core 3 from scratch on my Dell Latitude Laptop and it's just about all working EXCEPT for my PCMCIA Netgear 802.11G card. I guess I just naively thought that it would get detected and installed as part of the install "just like on Windows". Can someone tell me what steps to take to get my card working?
Many thanks!

imdeemvp · #2 21st April 2005, 08:57 AM

Do you know which chipset it uses? i.e. my uses the atheros chipset and this is how I install the drivers.

griM · #3 21st April 2005, 09:08 AM

hi BlackFrancis75,
always a good solution is to use the ndiswrapper (http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/). ndiswrapper is able to use the windows card-driver with linux. i tried it and it worked fine.

greetings, grim

AndyGreen · #4 21st April 2005, 09:13 AM

lspci

will give a hint about the chipset used in the Wireless card. If it is natively supported in Linux then you're in luck, otherwise you are redused to the mutant hybridizing system mentioned by griM.

imdeemvp · #5 21st April 2005, 09:17 AM

Well, if you want to use the command let's use it correctly:

Code:

/sbin/lspci

BTW, thanks for the tip.

AndyGreen · #6 21st April 2005, 10:19 AM

Good job you are here to show me how to use the commands "correctly", imdeemvp.

griM · #7 21st April 2005, 12:03 PM

"mutant hybridizing system"- funny and correct

imdeemvp · #8 21st April 2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyGreen

Good job you are here to show me how to use the commands "correctly", imdeemvp.

Actually, you provided a good tip.....and you are right by using /sbin/lspic you get the device chipset. So the feeling as mutual.

BlackFrancis75 · #9 21st April 2005, 07:55 PM

Hi all,
Well thanks for your responses. I got as far as getting the files I need to use NDISwrapper onto my USB key. I'm using the USB key as a 'common disk' to transfer files from my Windows boot to my Linux boot. Unfortunately I'm having a little difficulty with the USB key under FC3. It shows up as "OTi Flash Disk" in "Computer" but when I double-click on it it says "Unable to mount volume, Volume probably in a format that cannot be mounted, Mount: Wrong FS type". The thing is, the key is formatted with FAT and I'm sure this should be ok under FC3? Key has no issues under Windows.
Then, in order to try to diagnose this I tried to run lspci from a Terminal but the program wasn't found - any ideas why?
Thanks for any help!
-----
George

BlackFrancis75 · #10 21st April 2005, 08:31 PM

Hey sorry, my USB disk is working now.
I still cant seem to find lspci though...

BlackFrancis75 · #11 21st April 2005, 09:03 PM

thanks for your replies!

OK so I've followed the instructions for instlaling ndiswrapper, I've gotten successfully to the stage where I run 'make install' and it does it's stuff. The problem is that even I dont get any error messages during 'make install', when i try to run 'ndiswrapper' from the Terminal I get 'ndiswrapper:command not found'!
I even created RPMs for ndiswrapper, installed these and I still get 'command not found' when trying to run it.
Please help!

deceptykhan · #12 21st April 2005, 10:36 PM

silly question, but is ndiswrapper in your $PATH?

Try:

Code:

echo $PATH

at a command line and make sure your ndiswrapper is, in fact, in one of the directories it lists. If it's not, depending on your preferences you can either permenently add the directory to the PATH environment variable in ~/.bash_profile, temporarily add it by entering

Code:

export PATH=$PATH:/add/path/to/particular/bin/directory/here

from a command line or call the binary using the /full/path/to/ndiswrapper.

Jus' sayin.

BlackFrancis75 · #13 22nd April 2005, 06:05 PM

Thanks - it was a PATH issue; I fixed it by executing 'bash -l' after sudoing to root.
Thanks for all your help - I am writing this message from my Fedora install {warm feeling of accomplishment}