Hello Everybody
this post is my humble attempt to have a Step-By-Step guide for the installation of Linksys WPC11 Ver.4 Wireless card. This guide is for Mandrake 10.1 release as of January 31st. 2005. Linux version: 2.6.8.1-12mdk
There are several posts out there but most of them seem to skip the ease of explanation expecially for a newbie. (Note: This might be too much info. post for the Guru's
... )
Step 1: Finding out if you have the ndiswrapper installed
This could be a very simple thing. Open the "Terminal"..(the command line) by clicking on the little "Black Terminal Icon with a cursor" in Taskbar.
Then once the Terminal is Open, type: su -l
This will prompt you for the "root" password. Enter the root password and hit enter.
Then type: ndiswrapper --help
If ndiswrapper is not installed it will say so immediately at the prompt.
OR:
Simply Type: rpm -q ndis
This will tell you if you have ndiswrapper installed or not.
You could also use: rpm -qa | grep ndis
This should tell you the precise name of the ndiswrapper RPM package on your system. Do not worry if you have version ndiswrapper-0.9-1mdk installed. You are in good shape and can simple skip the Next Step
If ndiswrapper is already installed with a different version type:
rpm -e <packagename> to erase it.
Step 2: Installing the ndiswrapper
There are several ways of doing this and lots of documentation available BUT let's try the simplest approach first to install the ndiswrapper.
Ok..here we go....Remember that the Mandrake 10.1 release downloaded on or around January 31st 2005 contained the following version of ndiswrapper on it's CD 3.
Version was: ndiswrapper-0.9-1mdk
This version seems to work
PERFECTLY with the Linksys WPC11 ver.4 wireless card.
Here's what you need to do:
At the command line type: urpmi ndiswrapper
This will prompt for the CD to be installed and within a minute it will install the ndiswrapper.
To check if it is installed simply type:
This: ndiswrapper --help
OR:
This: rpm -qa | grep ndis
Step 3: Download the WPC11 Driver
Now download the drivers for the WPC11, from their official site or (in case it moves) from this server. ftp site: 152.104.125.40/cn/wlan/rtl8180l/ndis5x-8180(173).zip
Then unzip the driver in whatever directory you prefer by just "right-click" on the zip file and choosing "extract here"
Step 4: Installing the Driver
Use the following command. REMEMBER THE PATH WHERE YOU EXTRACTED THE ZIP FILE AND TYPE THAT CORRECTLY TOO.
Simply Type: ndiswrapper -i NET8180.INF
OR
Simply Type: ndiswrapper -i /path to the INF file/NET8180.INF
example: ndiswrapper -i /home/admin/NET8180.INF
Remember to have your Wireless Card plugged in:
Check it installed OK..Type: ndiswrapper -l
This should produce output similar to following:
Installed ndis drivers:
net8180 hardware present
Step 5: Creating the ifcfg-wlan0 file
This is very simple. Click on the "Star Icon" for the Start Menu then click on:
Run Command --> Options -->Run As a Different User-->Type username as "root" and then the "root passowrd" ---->In the Command Type:Kwrite--->Then Click "Run"
This should open Kwrite with "root" access. In the Kwrite Screen Type The following Values:
DEVICE=wlan0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
ONBOOT=no
That's it. Now do as "Save As" to save this file in the following Location: /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/
Name the file as: ifcfg-wlan0
Close everything...You are done here with the main part
Step 6: Setting Up the Wireless Network Connection
Remember, there are several ways of doing this, but what I have realized that your Wireless card might not work if some packages are not installed. As a result, we follow the final step:
Click on the "Star Icon" for the Start Menu then click on: System -->Configuration-->Configure Your Computer-->Network & Internet---->New Connection---->Wilreless---->Choose wlan0--->Automatic IP----> choose Track Network card id and Start at boot
For the following I do not remember the exact sequence in which the Wizard aska the question...But following are the answers to the questions/settings:
-->Then in the computer name: Choose any name you like for your computer
--> Then the Wizard will say that you can enter "Gateway Ip Address" (Note:read everything carefully). Type your Gateway IP addres here. It is usually something like 192.168.something.something
You can find that using ipconfig /all on a windows machine
-->The the Wizard will ask for some other stuff...You DO NOT have to enter any of that. You Don't need it
(I think
....)
Just Click "Next"
Then finally the wizard will say that it needs to install packages. This could be some DHCP stuff. Put the CD in and the Wizard will do it's thing. After everything is complete It will say that You might wanna restart
.
So simply Restart...and You should be Surfing with fun
Thanks everybody...and Have a GREAT day