Help installing module for Netgear FA311

[teiresias]

I've read quite a few of the horror stories about trying to get this card to work under Linux. I'm a complete newbie to Linux using Mandrake 7.2 (can't get 8.0 to install at all).

Anyway, I downloaded the required files from www.scyld.com (http://www.scyld.com) to compile the modules. I compiled pci-scan.c and natsemi.o. Then I followed the instruction to install the modules to the /lib/modules/KERNEL-VERSION/net/ directory. I can see the .o files in the directory, but the OS still doesn't see the card on boot-up and the natsemi driver isn't available in the Networking configuration list of drivers.

Can someone tell me what I need to do at this point since I'm completely lost? Thanks alot.

[bdg1983]

Have you loaded these modules using insmod or modproble? Or did you add these modules to one of your startup file?

lsmod (will tell you if these modules have been loaded)

[teiresias]

I did "insmod natsemi.o" and "insmod pci-scan.o" but it didn't seem to do anything. Should I get some kind of message afterwards when I do that, because all it did was bring up a new prompt with no kind of message.

[bdg1983]

If you didn't receive any error messages, then it worked.

lsmod

will show you the list of modules that are loaded.

[teiresias]

lsmod just gives me a "no such command" error (or whatever it says).

[bdg1983]

Are you doing this as either logged on as root or 'su'?

If you don't know what su is then have a look at the su manpage. man su

lsmod is in /sbin, so to check if /sbin is in your PATH.

echo $PATH

I'm going out in a few minutes and will not be back until 6:30. Hopefully someone else can assist you. I'll check back later.

[ 16 September 2001: Message edited by: mdwatts the 3rd ]

[teiresias]

Oops, I wasn't signed in as root. I signed in, did the lsmod and it lists a bunch of stuff, but the natsemi module nor the pci-scan were listed. So what do I need to do to get them in there?

[bdg1983]

Try insmod again on both the modules and see if you get any error messages. lsmod to verify.

[teiresias]

redid insmod and it didn't give me an error, and then I did lsmod and pci-scan.o and natsemi.o now show up, so I guess it's verified. But they still don't show up in the menu in netconfig for me to choose natsemi for my networking device.

[TheMightyNewbie]

you won't find it on the pull down list, just type it in there instead. if your driver is netsemi.o, just type in netsemi

[teiresias]

OK, typed it in and everything, but still no luck. Maybe I just need to buy a book or something!! Hehe :)

[bdg1983]

If you're still having problems, then I would suggest you try some of the suggestions from David (DMR) in this thread (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=022988).

I'll check back after I get home from work. The one week vacation was nice though not nearly enough.

[DMR]

Oh, no...not THAT thread!
:D

[teiresias]

Well, the natsemi and pci-scan modules won't stay installed. I can insmod them both and then do lsmod and see them both there, but the next time I boot up they won't be listed when I do lsmod!! Ugh, this is annoying, it might be easier just to buy a card that's more easily detected -- of course it might also be my AMD setup.

[bdg1983]

Originally posted by DMR:
<STRONG>Oh, no...not THAT thread!
:D</STRONG>

Yeah you've messed that up pretty good. ;)

teiresias - You can add those 2 modules to /etc/modules/.default so they startup during boot.

7. You can then manually bring up the NIC by typing "ifconfig eth0 xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx up", where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your IP address.

8. Last, type "alias eth0 &lt;your_module's_name&gt;" to associate eth0 with the proper module in /etc/modules.conf

You may also need to do those 2 steps.

Anyone know what file you need to add 'ifconfig eth0 xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx up' to in Mandrake 7.2?

[teiresias]

But I don't have a static IP. I'm connected to a Linksys router that is connected to a cable modem. The Linksys is running DHCP. Do I need to be in a particular path to use ifconfig or just make sure I'm logged in as root?

[TheMightyNewbie]

if you feel like giving up, install Mandrake 8.0. I have the same card and Mandrake 8.0 detected it and I'm a surfing madman

[TheMightyNewbie]

oh yeah, you can't install Mandrake 8.0 :(

Sounds like you're having the same problem that I did. I finally found out that I had to give my cable provider my new NIC's address so they could allow it to work. Guessing that might be your problem too.

My thread is linked to from here a few post up

[bdg1983]

I also have a Linksys router that uses dhcp though I assign static addresses for all my internal pc's and servers.

i.e. PC-1

ip 192.168.1.5
mask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.1 (same as the Linksys router)

All works fine.

[teiresias]

First let me make sure I get the simple stuff right first. Since I'm on my Linksys router what would my host name + domain be?

[bdg1983]

Why not contact me privately so we can spend a little more time to get this working. I'll be signing off shortly (time to make dinner), but I will reply early in the morning and can continue during the day tomorrow to help you with this. Check my profile.

All I ask is you include whatever information I may need to help.