New to Linux - cannot get wireless to work - HP Probook Laptop 4710S, Debian5
 

New to Linux, just managed to install Debian5 on my HP Probook 4710s Laptop.
Problem is that ethernet connected seamlessly, but cannot get wireless to connect. Wireless detail: PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection. This is an internal system on the Laptop.
Looking at debian device manager there is recognition of the wireless facility when I look at Computer\PCI Bridge\Network Controller, the data starting with:
Info Parent:/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/pci_8086_2942
Info Product:PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection.

I have tried using KWIFIManager but get notice that there is no interface, and the wireless message is "disabled".
I have tried RutilT WLAN Manager and get a "critical error: can't find any wireless network interface" message - error code -3 "
Just not sure where I go from here - your assistance would be most gratefully received.
For your information, wireless works just fine using the MS stuff.

Hi,

please try to follow the instructions here:

http://wiki.debian.org/iwlagn

Report back to lets us know how you get on.

Cheers,

Evo2.

Clearly I don't have a clue as to what I have to do.
 

Thank you evo2.
I am sorry but I really am having a struggle. Went to the wiki page, and felt a bit lost. Tried to paste the first line of instruction to \etc\apt\sources.list .
"# Backported packages for Debian Lenny
deb http://www.backports.org/debian lenny-backports main contrib non-free"
Got error message that I did not have permission or there was an error in the info inserted. Well, moved the #part of the instruction to between the # signs at the top, tried to save again - same error message.
Well, OK let's really show how little I know - I then tried to sign in as root, and get the message that system administrator is not permitted to sign in at this screen. Umm, hair loss is not solving this one. I need to find out how and where to sign in as root, so I can (I assume) get on with the rest of the exercise.
If you aren't too frustrated by my complete lack of knowledge I would appreciate assistance. Shall look into the OS forums for clues, and will check the "help" files.
First things first seems to be the order of what to do.
Thanks again for your interest and your help so far
Regards
Ken

ps. Found the root login secret - had to set a permission to allow login ... just knew it had to be something simple. Will now have a crack at the next task - \sources.list

Hi Ken,

Open a terminal and then type:
It'll ask for your password and after typing that will open a text editor.

Put in the lines as stated in the wiki and type CTRL-O followed by <enter> to save the file, next CTRL-X to exit the editor. Then continue with the commands in the wiki, remembering that if the system tells you that you don't have permissions you can put sudo in front of the command.

Kind regards,

Eric