Unable to connect Wireless WG511 pcmcia card
 

I have got a netgear wireless PC Card WG511 made in Taiwan (not china). I have intalled it in windows w/acouple of ver. Settling on v1. I am first generation pc. maybe toold for Linux? I can't even figure out how to post in the Dam Small Linux website. But have read most of the posts in linuxquestions.
So here's my setup and the following nightmare:

ndiswrapper WG511v.1 netgear wireless PC card Problems
Gateway solo 500mhz 256mb
DSL linux 2.4.31 on i686
HD install w/windows installed first.hda1=windows hda2=swap hda3=/root

Copied win files and installed windows drivers in
/mnt/hda3/driver/
netwg511.cat
netwg511.inf
wg511dcb.arm
wg511.icb.sys
Run DSL Control Panel. Choose ndiswrapper
inf file: /mnt/hda3/driver/netwg511.inf
device: Wlan0 (also tried eth0)
sid: blablabla
wep: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
Results: no conection
root@box:~# ndiswrapper -i netwg511.inf
netwg511 is already installed. Use -e to remove it
root@box:~#
Installed drivers:
isl3890 invalid driver!
netcard invalid driver!
netwg511 invalid driver!
program invalid driver!
root@box:~#
--------------------------------------------------------------
root@box:~# lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX Host bridge (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX AGP bridge (rev 03)
00:07.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ISA (rev 02)
00:07.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE (rev 01)
00:07.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 USB (rev 01)
00:07.3 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI (rev 03)
00:08.0 Multimedia audio controller: ESS Technology ES1978 Maestro 2E (rev 10)
00:0b.0 Communication controller: Agere Systems WinModem 56k (rev 01)
00:0c.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1451 PC card Cardbus Controller
00:0c.1 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1451 PC card Cardbus Controller
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Rage Mobility P/M AGP 2x (rev 64)
02:00.0 Network controller: Intersil Corporation ISL3890 [Prism GT/Prism Duette]/ISL3886 [Prism Javelin/Prism Xbow] (rev 01)
root@box:~#
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
root@box:~# ndiswrapper -l
root@box:~# ndiswrapper -l
Installed drivers:
isl3890 invalid driver!
netcard invalid driver!
netwg511 invalid driver!
program invalid driver!
root@box:~#
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<7>eth0: uploading firmware...
<3>prism54: request_firmware() failed for 'isl3890'
<3>eth0: could not upload firmware ('isl3890')
<3>eth0: islpci_reset: failure
<6>apm: BIOS version 1.2 Flags 0x03 (Driver version 1.16)
<4>i8253 count too high! resetting..
<4>i8253 count too high! resetting..
<4>i8253 count too high! resetting..
<4>i8253 count too high! resetting..
<7>eth0: resetting device...
<7>eth0: uploading firmware...
<3>prism54: request_firmware() failed for 'isl3890'
<3>eth0: could not upload firmware ('isl3890')
<3>eth0: islpci_reset: failure
<6>ndiswrapper version 1.14 loaded (preempt=no,smp=yes)
<7>eth0: hot unplug detected
<7>eth0: removing device
<6>cs: cb_free(bus 2)
<6>cs: cb_alloc(bus 6): vendor 0x1260, device 0x3890
<4>PCI: Enabling device 06:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
<7>eth0: hot unplug detected
<7>eth0: removing device
<6>cs: cb_free(bus 6)
<6>cs: cb_alloc(bus 2): vendor 0x1260, device 0x3890
<4>PCI: Enabling device 02:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
<7>eth0: hot unplug detected
<7>eth0: removing device
<6>cs: cb_free(bus 2)
<6>cs: cb_alloc(bus 2): vendor 0x1260, device 0x3890
<4>PCI: Enabling device 02:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
<7>eth0: hot unplug detected
<7>eth0: removing device
<6>cs: cb_free(bus 2)
<6>cs: cb_alloc(bus 2): vendor 0x1260, device 0x3890
<4>PCI: Enabling device 02:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
<7>eth0: hot unplug detected
<7>eth0: removing device
<6>cs: cb_free(bus 2)
<6>cs: cb_alloc(bus 2): vendor 0x1260, device 0x3890
<4>PCI: Enabling device 02:00.0 (0000 -> 0002)
shawn@box:~$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
shawn@box:~$ lsmod
Module Size Used by Tainted: PF
ndiswrapper 171708 0
apm 9736 1 (autoclean)
mousedev 3832 0 (unused)
hid 22788 0 (unused)
input 3168 0 [mousedev hid]
shawn@box:~$ sudo -s
root@box:~# lsmod
Module Size Used by Tainted: PF
ndiswrapper 171708 0
apm 9736 1 (autoclean)
mousedev 3832 0 (unused)
hid 22788 0 (unused)
input 3168 0 [mousedev hid]
cloop 39364 0 (unused)
ltserial 24896 0 (unused)
ltmodem 493728 0 [ltserial]
af_packet 13608 0 (autoclean)
nls_iso8859-1 2844 0 (autoclean)
ntfs 50944 0 (autoclean)
msdos 4684 0 (autoclean)
agpgart 44388 0 (unused)
maestro 28648 0
soundcore 3428 2 [maestro]
serial 52196 0 (autoclean)
ieee1394 183300 0
usb-uhci 21708 0 (unused)
usbcore 58240 1 [ndiswrapper hid usb-uhci]
prism54 40536 0
firmware_class 3388 0 [prism54]
ds 6536 2
yenta_socket 9700 2
pcmcia_core 39840 0 [ds yenta_socket]
ide-cd 28768 0
ide-scsi 9264 0
rtc 7004 0 (autoclean)
root@box:~#
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also tried puting files
netwg511.cat
netwg511.inf
wg511dcb.arm
wg511.icb.sys
in /usr/lib/hotplug/firmware/
tried rename wg5ll.cdb.arm to isl3890, isl3890.bin, isl3890.bin-2.4.31-i686

Any help would be appreciated. I have read < = > threads, I could possibly find to prior to posting. I'd amazed if anyone even read it this far..
I am like so embarssed. I can't install a wireless card ;<( this is an old laptop and would be like usable if I get the *&^%$ wireless working. In fact, does anyone have a wireless card working with
Dam Small Linux? I have the book but, it's not been much help. Other that telling me to add nodhcp in the boot startup. That didn't help either. I have learned alot through this misery of the wireless nic. But OMG? Oh I do have opensus on a newer laptop, no problems.
I can put a wired pcmci card in, thats how I am sending this post.
-Shawn aka toold

So you're trying to use ndiswrapper for this card ? Why not use the prism54 driver. I see that it is loaded in 'lsmod' so it should work, except:

That means you need that firmware installed, maybe see:
http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/p54

To H_TexMeX_H
 

H_TeXMeX_H,
Thank you for So= reply. I think I am trying install ndiswrapper and load the firmware at the same time. So I need to stop ndiswrapper.
Here are the arm files I have.
WG511DCB.arm - this from the manufacture, and no small challenge to find it.
2.7.0.0.arm -From the same site you suggested
2.13.12.0.arm -same site
p54pci_1.0.4.3.arm -read on this site to use this and change name to isl3890
prsim54-fw -just found this one before I flamed out...
I read, on this forum, to change the arm file name to isl3890
or isl3890.bin
or isl3890.bin-kernel#-i686 (processor).
Seriously, need to have a step-by-step. Unload the ndiswrapper. How to just load the firmware. What to name the firmware? then what....next?
THank you shawn

Well, I don't have the card so I can't give you step by step with a great degree of accuracy, but I'll try:

1) Rename '2.13.12.0.arm' (it's probably this one, if not try another) to 'isl3890' and it copy to '/lib/firmware/isl3890/', so its final location will be '/lib/firmware/isl3890/isl3890'.

2) Disable ndiswrapper, so maybe run 'rmmod ndiswrapper', hopefully it won't crash.

3) I would re-insert 'prism54' so 'rmmod prism54', then 'modprobe prism54', then try to configure the card.

To H-TeXmeX_H
 

Hey TexMex,
Again thank you. Maybe its the file location.
Followed your instruction
1) Rename '2.13.12.0.arm' (it's probably this one, if not try another) to 'isl3890' and it copy to '/lib/firmware/isl3890/', so its final location will be '/lib/firmware/isl3890/isl3890'
2) Disable ndiswrapper, so maybe run 'rmmod ndiswrapper', hopefully it won't crash.

3) I would re-insert 'prism54' so 'rmmod prism54', then 'modprobe prism54', then try to configure the card.

No crashes. infact said prism54 not loaded?
I mkdir dir you suggested but still dmesg:
Prism54: request_firmware() failed for 'isl3890'
eht0: could not upload firmware ('isl3890')
blabla islpci_reset failure...

But I don't want to keep bugging you. W/out setting here you've done about all you can. I do want to thank you. I going to let it set for a couple of days. Clear my head...RTFM and STFG this weekend.
My man thanks
-Shawn

Well, maybe see:
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wireless_Setup

So, maybe try putting the firmware in '/lib/firmware/isl3890' instead of '/lib/firmware/isl3890/isl3890'

TexMex
 

Hey!
That looks promising! It's like folks have been on this issue since 2005-6 same card, same problem. W/serveral different solutions. I run opensuse. But DSL is sooo light. I can bring many of my old laptops to life. Took a peek at your website. http://www.usshouston.net is mine. WWII Bridge over the river kwai, Death railroad infamous POW camps.
Take Care
-Shawn

I gave up!
 

Hey TexMex,
I gave up! Tried tinyme could not even boot to the liveCD. Three weekends...So I threw on puppy linux. Done.

Thoughts on Distros Puppy, DSL, TinyME
 

I have a gateway solo laptop 256 ram PIII 60g hd. Wg511T wireless and Dlink wired.


It's raining, I am bored, so it's cool. I have installed the top ten lite distros. Yep, from ubunto on down the line. So far the only one that works out of the box is Puppy Linux? Man, bingo finds the WIRELESS. Your up and running. But Puppy does not have the right "feel"? Does that make sense? 'Course, it just me.

Like wireless is a fundamental of a laptop. How can you not have wireless on a laptop? Why is it such a nightmare to load a wireless card? Yet, Puppy make it effortless. 'Course one sacrifices much for ease of use. Ok...enough. No wait!

Yes, I am a newbie, vintage 8088 . And for a newbie it's like rocket science to get a wireless card to work! TinyMe and DSL Linux are so promising. All those laptop could be recycled!

All that programming effort? And no wireless? Why Puppy? TOL: Hmmm, I wonder if I can load puppy and figure out what "drivers" they use. Copy them to other Linux versions? What say you?

Or I could wait for a Lite distro that works.
To Old for Linux? Or is to tired for linux?

You could try:

1) Use puppy (a good light distro) but customize it to the way you like it ... I very much doubt KDE or GNOME will run on a P3.

2) You can check the kernel config or even use the puppy kernel in another distro. Not guaranteed to work properly, but if you really want to...

What exactly do you want more out of puppy ?

More Out of Puppy
 

Hey TexMex!!
Puppy is Cool. Not a fast as tinyme or dsl. And n/g for a multi-user environment. But is's almost there.*

I have been lurking in the shadows with Linux-unix for years. I am old nwadmin, more a nwmechanicBut not a programmer. Sed and awk just kill me...Solaris...Linux...Novell... Windows is just so easy...

I have one office for unemployement & training services. W/no money in CA. Use opensuse for wksta's (runing Novell). But I have a bunch of old laptops. Rather than scrap them. *I thought I'd use a distro that the average person could use.

That being said Puppy is by far the most user friendly. I just don't think its there yet. And like I said its raining here. So why not play with all these tasty little distros!

I do appreciate the comments-commitment of the Linux comunity.
-Shawn