Linksys Wireless on Gentoo

**Varean** · 10-02-2005

This may not be in the right place, but I heard that most of the Gentoo WiFi install methods are different than other distros so I thought this belonged here.

I have a Linksys 802.11B wireless reciever for my wireless router in the other room that I would like to set up. Does anyone have an HOWTO or a tip guide for this? And secondly, do I have to use ndiswrapper or Madwifi?

**Cabhan** · 10-03-2005

The Linksys WMP54GS? That's what I have.

The answer is yes, you must use ndiswrapper.

As for doing the installation, the Gentoo installation apparently doesn't support wireless Internet. Therefore, and I recommend this to EVERYONE, even those with wired connections, use the Knoppix install:

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/altinstall.xml#doc_chap3

Knoppix has ndiswrapper, so just make sure that you have the Windows drivers available on a USB key or something. You will do the entire installation in a Terminal Window, but you can have Firefox open for looking at the docs, and Gaim to talk to friends.

It's a happy install this way

.

**Varean** · 10-04-2005

Dont know the exact Model, looks like a M41263215392.

Also, I know that ndiswrapper has a gentoo ebuild, I am just looking for a setup HOW-TO

**Cabhan** · 10-04-2005

Ah.

Well, you emerge ndiswrapper. Then, make sure that your .sys and .inf files (the Windows drivers) are in the same directory:

Code:

cd /path/to/directory
ndiswrapper -i <FILE_NAME_NO_INF>
ndiswrapper -l
modprobe ndiswrapper
iwconfig wlan0 essid <YOUR SSID HERE>
iwconfig wlan0 key <YOUR WEP KEY HERE>    <-- Only if you use WEP encryption
dhcpcd wlan0

<FILE_NAME_NO_INF> is the name of your .inf file, minus the extension. For example, my file is bcmwl5.inf, I would use "bcmwl5".

Also, after typing "ndiswrapper -l", you should see your hardware, and it should say "Hardware present, driver present" or something of that sort.

Hope that helps!

**Varean** · 10-05-2005

Originally Posted by Cabhan

Ah.

Well, you emerge ndiswrapper. Then, make sure that your .sys and .inf files (the Windows drivers) are in the same directory:

Code:

cd /path/to/directory
ndiswrapper -i <FILE_NAME_NO_INF>
ndiswrapper -l
modprobe ndiswrapper
iwconfig wlan0 essid <YOUR SSID HERE>
iwconfig wlan0 key <YOUR WEP KEY HERE>    <-- Only if you use WEP encryption
dhcpcd wlan0

<FILE_NAME_NO_INF> is the name of your .inf file, minus the extension. For example, my file is bcmwl5.inf, I would use "bcmwl5".

Also, after typing "ndiswrapper -l", you should see your hardware, and it should say "Hardware present, driver present" or something of that sort.

Hope that helps!

Thanks!

**Varean** · 10-07-2005

I finally got some free time and I took a look in my driver folder. I see the .sys file (prismusb) but I dont see any .inf files. Anyone know whats up?

**Varean** · 10-08-2005

Seem to be getting some errors. I type in ndiswrapper -i netusb (its the .inf file) and I get this:

Code:

tux varean # ndiswrapper -i netusb
netusb is already installed. Use -e to remove it

However, when I do ndiswrapper -l, I get:

Code:

tux varean # ndiswrapper -l
Installed ndis drivers&#58;
netusb  invalid driver!

I tried reinstalling it but I get the same message.

Here is my driver folder, which contains my wireless stuff:

Code:

tux WUSB1126 # cd /home/varean/Net/WUSB1126/Drivers
tux Drivers # ls
netusb.cat  netusb.sys    netusbxp.sys  vnetusba.sys   winxp
netusb.inf  netusb2k.cat  prismusb.sys  vnetusbxp.sys

**Cabhan** · 10-08-2005

Hrmm...

I assume that your card is the WUSB1126?

According to the ndiswrapper wiki, this is not a supported card.

One issue is: are you using a 2.6 or 2.4 kernel? If the latter, that may have to do with the problem.

**Varean** · 10-08-2005

2.6 kernel. Do you know what wireless driver works with my card?

**Cabhan** · 10-08-2005

Hrmm...

A Google search for "WUSB1126" reveals literally nothing.

Could your card have any other name?

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