I am trying to use netgear ma401 with auditor(like knoppix) and I cannot get it into monitor mode. what can be the problem ?
I Use :
iwconfig wlan0 monitor mode

error message I get:
Error for wireless request "set mode" (8B06) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; operation not supported.

P.S. I am trying to crack my own wep.

thanx in advance.

If you are using ndiswrapper as your driver, you are out of luck. Windows drivers don't suppport monitor mode.
I know you haven't descended to any unacceptable levels here, but LQ REALLY frowns on any sort of cracking discussions, even if it is your own gear.

how can I get proper drivers while using auditor??
Ok I wont crack my on wep.

From what I can tell by a little Googling, that card has a Prism chipset, which is one of the better supported chipsets in Linux. If the orinoco_cs driver (usually included as a kernel module in most distros) doesn't work, you might check out using the linux-wlan-ng drivers. That site explicitly says it supports the ma401.

....but i am using knoppix which is on a cd. How do I add drivers to something that is on a cd.

Knoppix includes a number of native linux drivers. In fact, you've never said if you were using ndiswrapper or if you were just using whatever driver Knoppix happened to use. With a live distro like Knoppix, you're really going to be limited to the drivers it includes.

Auditor includes the patched orinoco_cs drivers needed for putting your card into monitor mode. Try:

This assumes that Auditor is loading the wlan_ng instead of the patched orinocos. lsmod will tell you for sure.

Tried that. It says module wlan_ng not found. It loads hostap and orinoco_cs but not wlan_ng. I know ma401 goes with wlan_ng driver.

Any way to make wlan_ng module work.

Don't know. I only use patched or RC2 orinoco drivers for monitor mode.

If loading the orinoco module succeeds, does monitor mode work?

nope. I did modprobe orinoco_cs and still does not work.

Whats another inexpensive wireless pcmia card that I can use so it will go into monitor mode ?

I just tried it with my Prism2.5 card, orinoco_cs RC2 and it works.

Maybe it's your syntax. In your first post, you show this command:
iwconfig wlan0 monitor mode

Try iwconfig wlan0 mode monitor

Also, make sure that the interface is really wlan0. For the orinoco drivers, it's normally ethx. Try bringing the interface up: ifconfig wlan0 up, then put it into monitor mode.

'iwconfig wlan0 mode monitor'?

Simple typo thats all....

tried ifconfig wlan0 up and then monitor mode still does not work. ... and yes that was a typo.
I dont see why I cant find the wlan_ng drivers.
It might be my card.
Which card is good for wardriving. can u give me a few specifics cause I shall buy it off ebay. Thanx for u r help. I really appreciate it.

I use a Prism2.5 - ZyXEL B-101. It's a rebadged Zcomax XI-325H. I have no idea if it's still around. 802.11B, 100mw, great sensitivity and a detachable antenna. I use a cheap magnetic roof mount antenna and plug it into the card.

The ORiNOCO Gold Classic card is also a great one - also 802.11B with an external antenna jack.

edit: the SMC2532W-B is a 200mw version of the first card I mentioned (also Prism 2.5 and a rebadged Zcomax XI-325HP).

Senao makes similar cards, but either in external or internal antenna versions - no detachable ones. They are very common.