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blixz
12-16-2007, 01:57 PM
Hi all,
I've just installed Fedora Core 8 in my desktop PC.
Everything seems to be fine except for the network...
I can't make the wireless netword card to work, I have a SMCWPCI-G wireless PCI card.
The first thing I tried to do was to try to configure the card (which I noticed wasn't detected during the instalation).
So I did (in the desktop): System->Administration->Network
Then I tried to add a new device.
-Fist I selected Wireless Connect
-Then on "Select Wireless Device" I noticed that the only available option was:
"Other Wireless Card"... so I went with it...
-Next screen, I had the chance to choose the Adapter and the Device
In the adapter part, there was no SMC card like mine, the closest (I think) was SMC Ultra, SMC EtherEZ ISA (I tried others too).
In the device part it had eth1 (I have a PCI ethernet card (eth0), which was detected OK, but since I don't use it since I have wireless, I really don't know if it's working or not...). I left it with eth1...
And in the end... it didn't work. I get this message:
"3c501 device eth1 does not seem to be present, delaying initialization." when I try to activate it... (and probably it really isn't present because my card probably isn't SMC Ultra or the others I had available to choose from...)
I read in another post here that you could "install"? madwifi. And I went to their site and saw that my wireless card was on their "green" list, meaning it was supported.
I donwloaded madwifi and, logged in as root, performed a "make" and then a "make install", but now I really don't know what to do next... card still doesn't work... and I have no idea of what I have to do to make it work...
Can anyone help?
Cheers,
blixz
nolimit974
12-16-2007, 06:43 PM
wireless support in fedora sucks trust me i know. If you try searching the forums you will come up with results that will show you how you might can fix it.
blixz
12-16-2007, 07:00 PM
Wich distro (with good wirelss support) do you recomend then?
Calipso
12-16-2007, 08:01 PM
here is a suggestion you might think is a little odd but maybe worth a try.
Try installing the live cd version of fedora 8.
I installed fedora 8 live cd rc2 and my wireless worked out of the box(its intel).
I then decided to do a fresh install using the final release of fedora 8 dvd and my wireless isn't working :mad:
I haven't had a chance to try the final release of the live cd install but I have a strange feeling it will work. :)
or you could always try Ubuntu or opensuse. I think they both have decent wireless support.
blixz
12-16-2007, 08:15 PM
here is a suggestion you might think is a little odd but maybe worth a try.
Try installing the live cd version of fedora 8.
I installed fedora 8 live cd rc2 and my wireless worked out of the box(its intel).
I then decided to do a fresh install using the final release of fedora 8 dvd and my wireless isn't working :mad:
I haven't had a chance to try the final release of the live cd install but I have a strange feeling it will work. :)
or you could always try Ubuntu or opensuse. I think they both have decent wireless support.
I can't even make the latest Ubuntu start installing in my system. It hangs before the instalation starts...
Regarding the live CD, even if it did work, it wouldn't solve the problem... I wanted to use an installed version of Linux, preferably the one I already have...
Is there such a big problem with wireless in Linux?... (I used to have an older version of Ubuntu, and it didn't work there either... actually that's why I tried to install a more recent version of Ubuntu (and that didn't go very well) and finally I tried Fedora Core 8, which isn't going so well either...).
gamblor01
12-16-2007, 09:35 PM
First, let's see what devices are connected to the PCI bus in the system. Furthermore, let's see what kernel modules are loaded. I've never messed with the wireless in Fedora 8, but please paste the output from the following 2 commands:
$ lspci
$ lsmod
phlipant
12-17-2007, 11:50 AM
wireless support in fedora sucks trust me i know. If you try searching the forums you will come up with results that will show you how you might can fix it.
I have wireless support in Fedora 8 and I think its great. In fact, on a dual boot system, Xp is more likely to fail that Fedora. All you need to do is use ndiswrapper with the drivers from Microsoft.
As far as moving to other distros, ALL DISTROS use the exact same software as Fedora. There is only one HAL, only one wpa_supplicant, etc.
Calipso
12-17-2007, 12:27 PM
Regarding the live CD, even if it did work, it wouldn't solve the problem... I wanted to use an installed version of Linux, preferably the one I already have...
You can install to the harddrive from the live cd. There is an icon on the desktop that says Install, or something along those lines.
blixz
12-17-2007, 08:01 PM
First, let's see what devices are connected to the PCI bus in the system. Furthermore, let's see what kernel modules are loaded. I've never messed with the wireless in Fedora 8, but please paste the output from the following 2 commands:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS645DX Host & Memory & AGP Controller
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] Virtual PCI-to-PCI bridge (AGP)
00:02.0 ISA bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS961 [MuTIOL Media IO] (rev 10)
00:02.1 SMBus: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS961/2 SMBus Controller
00:02.2 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.0 Controller (rev 07)
00:02.3 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.0 Controller (rev 07)
00:02.5 IDE interface: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 5513 [IDE] (rev d0)
00:05.0 Multimedia audio controller: C-Media Electronics Inc CM8738 (rev 10)
00:09.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 50)
00:09.1 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (rev 50)
00:09.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 51)
00:0a.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8185 IEEE 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 20)
00:0b.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV350 AR [Radeon 9600]
01:00.1 Display controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV350 AR [Radeon 9600] (Secondary)
blixz
12-17-2007, 08:03 PM
I have wireless support in Fedora 8 and I think its great. In fact, on a dual boot system, Xp is more likely to fail that Fedora. All you need to do is use ndiswrapper with the drivers from Microsoft.
As far as moving to other distros, ALL DISTROS use the exact same software as Fedora. There is only one HAL, only one wpa_supplicant, etc.
Hi,
How do I make my Fedora use Ndiswrapper?
Cheers,
blixz
i845_
12-18-2007, 03:28 PM
This (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=175240) might help.
The guide is geared towards a different wireless card (which probably comes with a different chipset as well). Read through all the posts to get a basic idea as to what needs to be done. Then try using the same information to set up your card. If you get stumped somewhere down the line, ask here.
blixz
12-18-2007, 07:41 PM
This (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=175240) might help.
The guide is geared towards a different wireless card (which probably comes with a different chipset as well). Read through all the posts to get a basic idea as to what needs to be done. Then try using the same information to set up your card. If you get stumped somewhere down the line, ask here.
Hi,
I've tried to do what is told in those posts, and found some problems...
First, I can't use yum because I don't have internet in the PC that has Fedora (that's why I need the wireless card to work).
So I downloaded (in another pc, and then copied it to the pc with fedora through a usb pen drive) from http://livna-dl.reloumirrors.net/fedora/8/i386 the file named:
kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
because when I run the uname -r command it tells me that my kernel is:
2.6.23.1-42.fc8.
So far so good...
then, after using su and typing the super user password, I did:
rpm -ivh kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
to install the rpm...
And then this happened:
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]# rpm -ivh kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
warning: kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm: Header V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID a109b1ec
error: Failed dependencies:
kernel-i586 = 2.6.23.1-42.fc8 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586
ndiswrapper-kmod-common >= 1.48 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]# uname -r
2.6.23.1-42.fc8
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]#
And this is where I'm stuck. I don't know where to get ndiswrapper-kmod-common, and worse, I don't know if there's going to be aditional dependencies from ndiswrapper-kmod-common... (that would suck).
And also I don't understand why it says: "Failed dependencies:
kernel-i586 = 2.6.23.1-42.fc8 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586..."
My kernel is the right version, or is it not?
Cheers,
blixz
bwkaz
12-18-2007, 07:51 PM
Your kernel doesn't have a driver for this Realtek wireless card (the 8185 chipset). The not-yet-released 2.6.24 may have a native Linux driver for it (at least, there's a driver available in one of the -mm patches to 2.6.24-rcX), so eventually you won't have to use ndiswrapper (and a bunch of binary-only code that's doing who-the-heck-knows-what to your kernel).
There are also some reports of a driver being available directly from Realtek, but generally, drivers from the manufacturer are worse than those available directly in the kernel. (At least, that's true for Linux. Vendor drivers are almost invariable (a) binary-only, and (b) really crappy. nvidia's video drivers are sort of an exception, in that they're binary-only, but not quite so crappy as most. They still have issues though.) Anyway, since your kernel seems to have nothing, those Realtek drivers may be worth a try too. :) (They're probably no worse than the windows drivers under ndiswrapper, but I don't know if they're any better.)
blixz
12-18-2007, 08:57 PM
Your kernel doesn't have a driver for this Realtek wireless card (the 8185 chipset). The not-yet-released 2.6.24 may have a native Linux driver for it (at least, there's a driver available in one of the -mm patches to 2.6.24-rcX), so eventually you won't have to use ndiswrapper (and a bunch of binary-only code that's doing who-the-heck-knows-what to your kernel).
There are also some reports of a driver being available directly from Realtek, but generally, drivers from the manufacturer are worse than those available directly in the kernel. (At least, that's true for Linux. Vendor drivers are almost invariable (a) binary-only, and (b) really crappy. nvidia's video drivers are sort of an exception, in that they're binary-only, but not quite so crappy as most. They still have issues though.) Anyway, since your kernel seems to have nothing, those Realtek drivers may be worth a try too. :) (They're probably no worse than the windows drivers under ndiswrapper, but I don't know if they're any better.)
So... what should I do?
I mean, can I use "...-mm patches to 2.6.24-rcX" (what's that?)
Should I try installing the drivers from Realtek? (how do I do that?)
Cheers,
blixz
i845_
12-19-2007, 01:15 AM
Your kernel version looks okay to me...
I'm not that good at kernel-related stuff, but it may be so that you are trying to install a package meant for an i586, on a kernel geared towards a different architecture (i386, x86-64, etc.)... (have never seen this happen, though... maybe one of our seniors could help here...). Or maybe you're missing the kernel headers... (unlikely... binary packages usually never ask for kernel headers...).
Could you post the output of uname -a ?
As regards the ndiswrapper-kmod-common package, you can find it here: (i386 (http://rpm.pbone.net/index.php3/stat/4/idpl/5318625/com/ndiswrapper-1.48-1.lvn8.i386.rpm.html)) (x86-64 (http://rpm.pbone.net/index.php3/stat/4/idpl/5318918/com/ndiswrapper-1.48-1.lvn8.x86_64.rpm.html)).
---------------
BTW, there are a few third-party drivers available for your chip. Here are a few links of interest: (1 (http://rtl818x.sourceforge.net/)) (2 (http://rtl8180-sa2400.sourceforge.net/)) (3 (http://rtl-wifi.sourceforge.net/wiki/Installing)) (4 (http://patchlog.com/linux/realtek-8180-on-kernel-2623/)).
Realtek provides drivers for your card here (http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=1&Level=6&Conn=5&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false&Downloads=true).
---------------
phlipant
12-19-2007, 08:02 AM
Hi,
I've tried to do what is told in those posts, and found some problems...
First, I can't use yum because I don't have internet in the PC that has Fedora (that's why I need the wireless card to work).
So I downloaded (in another pc, and then copied it to the pc with fedora through a usb pen drive) from http://livna-dl.reloumirrors.net/fedora/8/i386 the file named:
kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
because when I run the uname -r command it tells me that my kernel is:
2.6.23.1-42.fc8.
So far so good...
then, after using su and typing the super user password, I did:
rpm -ivh kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
to install the rpm...
And then this happened:
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]# rpm -ivh kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm
warning: kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586.rpm: Header V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID a109b1ec
error: Failed dependencies:
kernel-i586 = 2.6.23.1-42.fc8 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586
ndiswrapper-kmod-common >= 1.48 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]# uname -r
2.6.23.1-42.fc8
[root@localhost Ndiswrapper]#
And this is where I'm stuck. I don't know where to get ndiswrapper-kmod-common, and worse, I don't know if there's going to be aditional dependencies from ndiswrapper-kmod-common... (that would suck).
And also I don't understand why it says: "Failed dependencies:
kernel-i586 = 2.6.23.1-42.fc8 is needed by kmod-ndiswrapper-2.6.23.1-42.fc8-1.48-15.lvn8.i586..."
My kernel is the right version, or is it not?
Cheers,
blixz
You are tring to load a recent kmod package on an old kernel. The first thing you need to do is execute
yum update
that way you will be synchonized with livna.
second, you need to add livna to yum, so that you can install ndiswrapper with yum. you can find it here
http://rpm.livna.org/rlowiki/
click "Fedora 8 repository RPM" and open the file to install.
I also recommend you download and run yumex with
yum install yumex
yumex is a very nice way to peruse and install available packages.
Also, plugging a cable should work fine. have you activated NetworkManager and just tried a cable?
bwkaz
12-19-2007, 08:08 PM
can I use "...-mm patches to 2.6.24-rcX" (what's that?) The -mm series is a bunch of experimental new features. It's stuff that's going to go into a future kernel (which one isn't set in stone). The point of that was just to say that a future kernel would have a native driver, although no current one seems to. :)
Should I try installing the drivers from Realtek? (how do I do that?) Since lots of other people here seem to know what your distro needs to have happen for ndiswrapper, I'd try ndiswrapper first. But if it doesn't work, you'll also be able to try the Realtek drivers (via i845_'s link). :)
whitewater3505
12-27-2007, 11:31 AM
Ok I have the exact same wireless card in my laptop as you do. I tried the Linux driver off of Realtek's website and it would not even compile correctly. It had many errors. So I used the ndiswrapper with the XP driver and it works. Now I have to figure out how to get WPA to work.
Once you get ndiswrapper installed :rolleyes: download the XP driver from realteks website (if you have ethernet) and do a
I only can do WEP because I have not had enough time to mess with WPA.
bwkaz
12-28-2007, 08:32 PM
You mean WPA, not WAP, right? (I should note that WEP can be cracked in under 60 seconds now, so I'd recommend making some time to mess with WPA as soon as you can. wpa_supplicant is your friend when you're doing WPA. :))
whitewater3505
12-28-2007, 10:46 PM
O wow sorry thanks for the catch....
Ok so i couldn't get wpa_supplicant to work. How bad would it be if i had,
WEP 128 bit
MAC Filtering
Restricted access times
Wireless transmission power is lowered
Its the best I can do without WPA.
when i run the wpa_supplicant command it yells at me for the
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
line in /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
bwkaz
12-30-2007, 02:42 PM
How bad would it be if i had,
WEP 128 bit
MAC Filtering
Restricted access times
Wireless transmission power is lowered Not appreciably different from WEP only. MAC filters are useless because MAC addresses are transmitted in the clear in every packet anyway, so someone can just sniff a single (legitimate) packet and gain the ability to associate, by impersonating that device.
WEP-128 is, as you already know, crackable in under 60 seconds.
Restricted access times will help if someone decides to try to associate outside those times, but I doubt those times will be very restrictive, personally. That's just based on experience; it seems like that kind of thing is the first setting to get widened when someone complains.
Lowering the transmission power doesn't make a difference if an attacker has a Pringles-can amplifier. ;)
when i run the wpa_supplicant command it yells at me for the
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
line in /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf I'd try to figure this issue out -- what's the error you get? Actually, what's the full output, along with the full wpa_supplicant command line? (Also, which version does Fedora come with now?)
whitewater3505
12-31-2007, 11:17 PM
Haha got it working. I was running Fedora 8, but switched back to Ubuntu 7.10. After I retried the driver from realtek, and then re-installed wpa_supplicant, everything magically worked. Thank you for your help though.
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