Alright - I am posting as a last resort kind of thing. I have been all over the net and I found the problem places with fixes - fixes which none has worked for me. Basically I am trying to install my Netgear WG511 Card which has a Prism GT (prism54g) chip set. I have copied the firmware for it into the respective location (/proc/firmware/isl3890 && /proc/hotplug/firmware/isl3890) to no avail. I have even commented out an entry in the kernel and compiled (which by the way made my other NIC not work, congression). I cannot use ndiswrapper (application doesnt support it). I have heard everywhere that this card works in like every computer ever - supporting everything....

user@osiris:/lib$ sudo ifconfig eth2 up
Password:
SIOCSIFFLAGS: Timer expired

It works in windows so I know that the card/socket is OK... help!

Oh, and iwconfig shows it as "NOT READY!"
I am able to use it in windows

I do not have your card, so that I can make guess only.

Did you check http://prism54.org ?

Thanks for the question but I figured it out. When the Netgear 511 card was switched from being made in taiwan to china, they also changed some hardware features in the card switching it to SoftMAC, which basically doesn't work... so beware anyone who is trying to buy a Netgear WG511 Card: IF IT SAYS MADE IN CHINA ON IT, DO NOT BUY IT!!!
So I am purchased a Proxim ORiNOCO GOLD Combocard with an external antenna jack off of ebay for like $40 < It is the wondercard!

Alright good night, and good luck!