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I've been using Linux for a while, but I have never had to configure a wireless card. I'm currently trying to set up a DYNEX DX-WGNBC wireless card in slackware. I assigned it my essid, and it is recognized by the machine:
Code:
iwconfig
IEEE 802.11b/g ESSID:"honeypot" Nickname:"binaryloc"
Mod:Managed Access Point: Invalid
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Link Quality=0/100 Signal level=-256 dBm Noise level=-256 dBm
...
However, when I run kwifimanager, it tells me that it cannot find a network (I'm literally inches from the wireless router right now). I have a feeling that the card isn't configured properly, because in Ubuntu the card works find, and the link and power lights blink, whereas in slackware only the power button blinks.
I am running Slackware 12. My question is this: how do I get my wireless card to work? I don't necessarily need to be able to use kwifimanager, but it would be nice. And help would be AWESOME
I am running slackware 12
Last edited by fultron; 09-22-2007 at 11:30 AM.
Reason: added OS version
Distribution: Distribution: RHEL 5 with Pieces of this and that.
Kernel 2.6.23.1, KDE 3.5.8 and KDE 4.0 beta, Plu
Posts: 5,700
Rep:
Not knowing the true state of that card and its use with the bcm43xx module, it may not work with it. Many of the broadcom chipsets do not work with the kernels bcm43xx module. What most have to do is blacklist the bcm43xx module. There are post here on how to do that. And then install ndiswrapper and use the windows inf driver with it. Again many post on how to install and configure ndiswrapper. No sense in me writing it out again when there are probably 100,000 post on ndiswrapper here.
Also to elimante other issues make sure the router has no wep, wpa, ip or mac filtering enabled and enable the dhcp server portion of the router. You want to make it as simply as possible.
Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g]
Personally, i never had good luck with it. But if you google "bcm43xx linux" you will find a driver that does work (I never got the 'g' speeds, tho.
Your other option is ndiswrapper. Look at Alienbob's slackbuilds for it (Works great, plus lots of real neat other stuff in there).
Search the forum for best steps, and google is your friend, too.
Good luck
cwwilson:
I have a broadcom card built in, but I've more or less decided it's a lost cause, so I went out and bought a dynex card: it's atheros based. The last line:
"Ethernet controller: Atheros
Communications, Inc. AR5005G 802.11abg NIC (rev 01)"
I double checked the MAC of eth0 in ifconfig -a, and I'm not working with the broadcom card. In fact, I thought it was turned off in the BIOS. I'm baffled, because until I loaded slackware, I've never had any problems with this card, and even backtrack (which I think is slackware-based?) supports it no questions asked.
You are correct. There are TWO wireless cards in there...I was concentrating on the pccard one, tho, because it was what the OP was asking about.
But my BCM43xx card works in 'g' with ndiswrapper, and should now work with newest drivers in the bcm43xx drivers (But my lappy died, so I have no idea...lol)
Given a choice, I'd almost go with the atheros card. But using ndiswrapper works ok with the Broadcomm one.
BTW, the BCM43xx module is already loaded, but it's support programs are not.
You are correct. There are TWO wireless cards in there...I was concentrating on the pccard one, tho, because it was what the OP was asking about.
But my BCM43xx card works in 'g' with ndiswrapper, and should now work with newest drivers in the bcm43xx drivers (But my lappy died, so I have no idea...lol)
Given a choice, I'd almost go with the atheros card. But using ndiswrapper works ok with the Broadcomm one.
BTW, the BCM43xx module is already loaded, but it's support programs are not.
Which is what I intend to do, I've had such problems getting the broadcom one set up: it took me a week to do it, then my laptop died six months later, and I couldn't get it to work again. Frustrated, I went out and bought the Dynex atheros one.
I installed slackware 12 last night (got sick of ubuntu for several reasons, all of which slackware addresses) and my dynex atheros card doesn't work. Although, when I boot into, say, backtrack (which is slackware based?) no configuration is necessary, as with ubuntu. I don't mind configuring, but I have no idea as to how to go about doing it without ndiswrapper, which I would prefer not to use since I'm almost certain there's a faster, easier wa without it.
Distribution: Distribution: RHEL 5 with Pieces of this and that.
Kernel 2.6.23.1, KDE 3.5.8 and KDE 4.0 beta, Plu
Posts: 5,700
Rep:
Being Atheros based install madwifi. Again this subject is mentioned multiple times on installing and configuring. But remember to make the network connection as it can be.
Thanks, I tried this, but problems are persisting.
Confused, I decided to try and plug my laptop into my router. Something happened that has never happened: my wired connection doesn't work. Even when I boot into an old version of DSL, my wired connection works.
Try running 'netconfig' to configure the wired connection.
I did, and it's still not working.
I tried madwifi: it's installed now, but I get "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" when I try to enable it now. I know that I have to move the firmware, but I have no idea WHERE to move it.
I tried madwifi: it's installed now, but I get "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" when I try to enable it now. I know that I have to move the firmware, but I have no idea WHERE to move it.
The madwifi driver does not come with (nor does it need separately downloaded) firmware. There is nothing to copy anywhere.
How did you install the madwifi driver? And what are the outputs from the commands "ifconfig -a" and "iwconfig" as well as "iwlist ath0 scan" (the last command will only work if the card is working of course).
Otherwise try uninstalling your current compiled madwifi software and install my madwifi package from here: http://www.slackware.com/~alien/slac...wifi/pkg/12.0/
I use this madwifi package on 2 computers (a desktop and a laptop) all the time and it works (I also use WPA encryption but I guess you'll already be glad to get a working wireless at all).
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