Problem with wireless network

seberian · 02-18-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi,

I have problems making my wireless work, i just installed linux 2 days ago so i don't know a thing about it (yet).

I have an Acer Aspire 1640 Z
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection Adapter(i have downloaded the linux drivers)
Installed Debian 4.0 but it won't recognize my wireless card

can someone help me with this please

Micro420 · 02-18-2008, 02:18 PM

Type ifconfig. What do you get? If you see something like iwlan, then your wireless card is already recognized. Or type lsmod. That will show the modules loaded for your hardwares.

Not sure about Debian 4.0, but I guarantee that most of the other recent Linux distros have that driver built-in. Try another distro - Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, CentOS

Otherwise, you will have to download the kernel source file and build the modules against the kernel source with the Intel drivers you downloaded. It's a little over your head for a newbie

MoonMind · 02-18-2008, 02:36 PM

You're probably missing the firmware - while the drivers themselves (the "shells", if you will) come with many distributions, not all have the firmware installed. If I recall right, you'll have to enable "non-free" in Debian repositories to get hold of those. If you're adventurous, try Zenwalk - it comes with the drivers and firmware ready to go, including proper licensing (well, it's non-free for the firmware, but it works).

M.

seberian · 02-18-2008, 03:33 PM

Ok thanx i'm downloading ubuntu desktop 7.04 CD Gutsy Gibbon

does it matter that i have a laptop ?