Wireless network card using Fedora Core 2

haroldopaulino · 07-06-2004, 08:21 AM

I got a Linksys wireless network card, model WPC54G - a Broadcom card, and doesnt work in my Fedora Core 2. I tried some kind drivers but nothing sucessful.

The Linux detects the card, nut cannot use it, so...

Does anyone know how to make this card work?

Thanks.

Ice9 · 07-06-2004, 08:45 AM

Take a look at this thread

haroldopaulino · 07-06-2004, 05:28 PM

I tried that thread but didnt work, I tried using RPM file, installing the package on the system.

So...

Still dont work

Ice9 · 07-07-2004, 04:40 AM

You have actually installed another kernel and it still doesn't work?

haroldopaulino · 07-07-2004, 11:14 AM

The problem I had was all the drivers I tried to install before this, so the final solution I found was reinstall the whole operating system and install the new kernel "kernel-2.6.5-1.358.8kstacks.i686.rpm", using the own "Browse Filesystem". Its pretty easy, there no way to do this wrong.

After do this, the boot loader will change, because now there will be a new option, the one with the new kernel, and I just need to edit my boot loader to erase the old kernel and set the new one as default. As my router is already connected, the configuration a did set me wireless card was " obtain IP automatically...", this mean when the device screen appear you just do that automatic configuration, thats it!

Another detail, when I first start my new FC2, and was prompted for the new device, ignore the configuration, just let the configuration runs after the new kernel was installed, else, remove the previous card configuration before doing that. Look, I'm not sure about other ways this could work, but following this instructions you'll have you wireless card working pretty good, believe me!

By the way, I dont know how to edit my boot loader to reset the default operating system and rename, change, do what I want.

Ice9 · 07-08-2004, 02:15 AM

Just edit /boot/grub/grub.conf and on the first uncommented line

Code:

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE:  You have a /boot partition.  This means that
#          all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
#          root (hd0,0)
#          kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hda2
#          initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hda
default=1
timeout=5
splashimage=(hd0,0)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Fedora Core (2.6.6-1.435.2.3)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.6-1.435.2.3 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
	initrd /initrd-2.6.6-1.435.2.3.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.6-1.435)
	root (hd0,0)
	kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.6-1.435 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
	initrd /initrd-2.6.6-1.435.img

change default to 0, it will boot to whatever kernel is on top of the list.

1kyle · 07-08-2004, 07:33 AM

I'm on SUSE -- but I have the same Wireless card.

I think this is one case where spending a VERY SMALL amount of money on the LINUXANT driver system might be worth while. Your license is valid if you change distros as well. You can try the thing out for 30 days free.

It operates similarly to the Ndis project -- wrapping the Windows drivers.

Mine works perfectly -- did with SUSE 9.0 as well.

http://www.linuxant.com

I know buying software is against the spirit of Linux -- but in this case as there is so much proprietary code in these Wireless cards an exception should be made here. Eventually maybe the manufacturers should be persuaded to release Linux Drivers for their cards.

Incidentally if you DO have a network card as well I'd change the network parameter to start Manually for the network card and hotplug for the wireless card.

For SUSE ETH0 startmode="manual" default is onboot
WLAN0 startmode='hotplug" default is onboot.

I'm sure it's similar in fedora.

Then if you want to start your "Wired" connection type (as root) IFUP ETH0

or if you are using the wireless card type (again as root) IWCONFIG.

Set your ESSID and other parameters as pe Manual / windows / documentation.

This is one case where 19 USD was well spent considering the time its saved me

Reefcrazed · 07-12-2004, 06:08 PM

I actually had better luck with the NDIS Wrapper drivers for my laptop and absolutely refused giving anyone any money for drivers. The reason i have gotten away from Windows is how everyone always has there hand out wanting money for something. Not even knowing how long i will be using the wireless card or if i want to upgrade...etc....i will not pay anyone for a driver that they should just give away in the spirit of Linux.