Wireless USB Lan Card

Drake88 · 10-31-2003, 10:15 AM

I recently purchased a TopCom Xplorer 3500 Wireless USB Card for my WinXP system. Now that I also have a Mandrake Linux 9.1 System set up (I'm a Linux-newbie, note), I want to use it there. But I can't. The system won't recognise the hardware (at least, I can't see it in HardDrake).

I have 4 USB ports and I don't know which one the device is plugged into. The TopCom company doesn't create Linux drivers, so I'm kinda screwed. And I looked at "linux-wlan.org". That didn't seem the least compatible with Mandrake (all that stuff about compiling kernels, I have no clue).

Could anyone help? I'm forced to live in this Win32-dominated hell-hole and I can't take it anymore! Spare me!

Micro420 · 10-31-2003, 11:15 AM

I can't help you, but I wish you would have asked or looked for supported hardwares before you bought that wireless card, assuming that it really will not work in linux.

Drake88 · 10-31-2003, 11:49 AM

Me too, but it's too late. That's 35$ out the window.

Micro420 · 10-31-2003, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake88
Me too, but it's too late. That's 35$ out the window.

Ouch! sorry to hear. I have a Netgear Wireless USB adapter MR101 (I think it's MR101) and it worked fine on my Mandrake. Just plugged it in, rebooted, and it worked for me. Sorry to hear yours didn't work.

Go get the Netgear llike the one I have. If you want, I can go home after work and double check for you so you can buy the right one!

In the meantime, go sell yours on eBay.

Drake88 · 10-31-2003, 03:20 PM

That's very interesting. If you would do that, I would be ever so greatful. I guess I can always use the XPlorer for a future Win32 comp. Thanks for the help

Micro420 · 10-31-2003, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake88
That's very interesting. If you would do that, I would be ever so greatful. I guess I can always use the XPlorer for a future Win32 comp. Thanks for the help

The model I have is a Netgear MA101 USB.

As I said earlier, it works like a charm for me and Mandrake 9.1 had no problems installing it automatically.

brew1brew · 11-01-2003, 06:05 AM

Man, I went through trying to setup a usb WIFI and gave up and purchased a couple of PCI cards, but I made sure it was compatable, it was a Netgear.

Drake88 · 11-01-2003, 06:27 AM

I might get a PCI card, depends on whether or not I can purchase the Netgear within my country, probably not. What are the strengths with PCI cards? I mean, considering I only have a 64/64Kb net connection through my router, would I feel any difference?

brew1brew · 11-03-2003, 06:08 AM

no, you won't see any difference, but the PCI card should have better range. Just make sure what ever card you get works with linux. search google to find the wirleless lan sites. http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_.../Wireless.html is a good start.