LinuxQuestions.org - 2200BG wireless adapter and Fedora Core 4

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2200BG wireless adapter and Fedora Core 4 - Need help, total noob!

Hello there everyone. First, I'd like to say these boards look like a great place. I have done a little browsing and it seems like everyone here is very helpful - something which I am going to need.

I will preface this by saying that I have always been a Windows guy. Recently a friend and I got into some talk and he convinced me to try out Linux. I have never used anything linux related before, therefore I am about as noob as they come. However, I most definitely know my way around a computer and with a little TLC I think we'll get along just fine.

I set up a dual boot last night on my laptop using Windows XP and Fedora Core 4. The laptop uses Centrino technology and has the 2200BG wireless adapter built in. I have already come across a few threads on this topic, but many of them refer to commands and instructions that I know absolutely nothing about.

From what I can see, Fedora Core 4 has drivers for this device, but still needs the firmware, IEEE80211 update of some variety, and maybe wireless tools? I really don't know what I am talking about, that's just kind of the idea I got.

So, I guess, what I am looking for is a TOTAL idiot's guide to getting this wireless adapter to work so I can connect to my wireless network with it. In case it matters, my network is secured with WPA, and the SSID is being broadcast.

If any of you could steer me in the right direction, I would be very very appreciative. I'm hoping to learn a little bit about Linux during this lesson too. Thanks everyone

-Erich

Well, the first thing to do is get a console. If you are using KDE, just right click on the empty desktop and there will be a "konsole" option in the context menu. If you are using gnome, the option should be "Open Terminal". From the terminal, type "/sbin/iwconfig" and then "/sbin/ifconfig" and paste the output in these forums.

"/sbin/iwconfig" returns:

Code:

lo      no wireless extensions

eth0    no wireless extensions

sit0    no wireless extensions

"/sbin/ifconfig" returns:

Code:

lo      Link encap:Local Loopback

        inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask 255.0.0.0

        inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host

        UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1

        RX packets:1447 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0

        TX packets:1447 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0

        collisions:0 txqueuelen:0

        RX bytes:1528414 (1.4 MiB) TX bytes:1528414 (1.4 MiB)

Hmmm, to make this to work under Fedora, I am afraid you might need to recompile your kernel ( at least I think). First, make sure you have the kernel source. The ieee80211 version in the kernel in conflicting with the one the ipw2200 driver need, so you need to find and install that version (links there : http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/ ). Then, it will change/patch/comment out the buggy stop in the kernel (that why you need the source) and you might need to recompile you kernel then (not quite sure, maybe it will be fine without the recompilation part).
Once it is done, download the ipw2200 driver (or use try with yum?) and install it (using rpm or source). If the ieee80211 subsystem is correctly installed it should be easy. The driver come with firmware, so you shouldn't need to care about the firmware. as you have "iwconfig" you already have wireless-tools installed, so you should be fine with that.

I hope this help.