Hello!
I am running Mandriva (kernel ver. 2.6.22.6 ) on IBM Thinkpad T41, using Atheros AR5212 abg card
As I understand, the card is detected by the kernel, but there is no connection.
lspci detects the card as ethernet controller
ls /sys/class/net/ only shows eth0 which is the other ethernet connection.
iwconfig says there is no wireless extensions

what should i do?

thanks in advance

You need to install/activate madwifi for the card to work. I don't know much about this on Mandriva, but here's a guide to start you off: http://madwifi.org/wiki/UserDocs/Distro/Mandrake

is it because there is no CONFIG_NET_RADIO option in kernel and madwifi will add it?

can you please explain to me what happens in the OS? the kernel has drivers in it, and the tools to configure wireless connection, but the driver isn't assosiated with a connection. why? what makes the system be able to use the card if not the driver?

thank you very much for the help, i'll be installing the madwifi.

madwifi is the actual driver for atheros card, but as far as i understand i already have driver in the kernel. or i don't?

lsmod to see if the MadWiFi module is loaded.

You should see auth_pci if it is.

If not, you may need to install it as noted above. I don't know if Mandriva includes the MadWiFi stuff or not.

thanks everyone, problem solved

Care to share?

The next person Goggling along will be happy you did.

sure,
i followed a guide posted here http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=38972

which is

1. start up a root console

2.type: iwconfig ( this will give you your card info and network /wireless info)

3. type: iwconfig ath0 channel 6 ( substitute channel 6 for whichever channel your router is transmitting on)

4. Type: iwlist scan ( this may take a minute, this will give you your routers wireless settings.)

5. Type: iwconfig ath0 essid xxxxxx ( replace xxxxxx with your routers essid)

6. Type: iwconfig ath0 ap xx xx xx xx xx xx( this is the six double digit mac address required and is listed in your iwlist scan message as above.)

7. Type: iwconfig ath0 key XXXXXXXXXX ( replace XXXXXXXX with your own hex wep key )

8. type: dhclient ( this gets your dhcp sorted ) you should now be up and running.

All of the information you need is right on the screen, although you will need to make a note of your wep key from your routers settings, as the output above may list it only as a ******** output .