how to configure realtek 8180 wireless card
 

I'm new to linux. I just installed fedora and i want to know how to configure my realtek 8180 wireless pcmcia card. i already downloaded the drivers from the manufacturer's website but i have not a clue what to do with them. can someone help me please?? i'm desperate

First, if that's not done, you have to install PCMCIA package, then you compile your driver. you'll probably have to do the 3 classical steps i.e. :
./configure
make
make install
Check that your kernel is compiled with WLAN support
To configure your wireless card, have a look at /etc/pcmcia/wireless.opts or network.opts files
At last insert your driver via commands like insmod, modprobe...

I've got a Netgear MA521 which uses the realtek 8180 card. The drivers from Realtek are compiled for certain kernels, nothing newer than 2.4.20.

I've been using Linuxant's DriverLoader, which is an NDIS wrapper. Install it, point it to the newest windows driver for that chipset, and it works. Granted, after a 30 day trial, it's $20. And I couldn't get it to work successfully with 2.6.2-1.

i just installed those drivers for my own card, everything seems find but i cant find any wireless networks (iwlist wlan0 scan, iwevent, iwlist wlan0 freq, iptraf wlan0, etc) (i went to a hotspot), and the card doesnt seem to listen to me when i "iwconfig wlan0 essid "tmobile"" .. think the drivers are two steps off or is the card bad?