aatheros wifi

[neilmaclennan]

i downloaded madwifi0.9.4 because my laptop has an atheros wifi card sadly i am new to linux so do not understand how to build a driver and just downloaded the software add-on windows wireless drivers but could not find an inf file then i see i have to build the thing myself from the kernel. well i am a win7 user wanting desperately to only have to use windows for playing games and do all my work on something more secure and would like to be able to use my laptop in a coffee shop etc... can someone please post a walkthrough on how i can achieve building a driver and installing it? so i can have wifi thanks

[rokytnji]

Howdy and Welcome. Take a deep breath.

What version of Ubuntu?

I have a atheros card that works in my Ubuntu 8.10 without installing ANY drivers or using ndiswrapper (gathering that from this statement)

just downloaded the software add-on windows wireless drivers but could not find an inf file

To get the best bresults to your question. First follow the instructions from
[BHERE[/B] before opening a new thread HERE

Be clear and concise in your question. Give details on Distro and Hardware like Laptop make and model or same with desktop. Use paragraphs for easy reading. (your post os hard to read all jammed up)

Like I said. Howdy and Welcome and Happy Trails, Rok

[rokytnji]

To show my setup

~$ inxi -F
System:  Kernel 2.6.27-8-eeepc i686 (32 bit) Distro Ubuntu 8.10 intrepid
CPU:       Single core Intel Atom N270 (UP) cache 512 KB flags (sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips 3191.95 
           Clock Speeds: (1) 800.00 MHz (2) 800.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card Intel Mobile 945GME Express Integrated Graphics Controller X.Org 1.5.2 Res: 1024x600@60.0hz 
           GLX Renderer Mesa DRI Intel 945GME 20061102 x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version 1.4 Mesa 7.2 Direct Rendering Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller driver HDA Intel BusID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Version 1.0.22.1
Network:   Card-1 Realtek RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller driver r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI at port 3000 BusID: 02:00.0
           Card-2 Atheros AR242x 802.11abg Wireless PCI Express Adapter driver ath5k_pci BusID: 03:00.0
Disks:     HDD Total Size: 160.0GB (2.6% used) 1: /dev/sda WDC_WD1600BEVT 160.0GB 
Partition: ID:/ size: 38G used: 4.0G (11%) fs: ext3 ID:swap-1 size: 0.26GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
           ID:swap-2 size: 1.81GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
Info:      Processes 119 Uptime 1:54 Memory 316.0/997.8MB Runlevel 2 Client Shell inxi 1.4.8

[ima5k]

Is your wireless device working? Because i see that ath5k driver (for atheros devices) is there.
It should be working.

try

lsmod | grep ath5k

and if you get no result type:

sudo modprobe ath5k

*(ath5k is "next" version of madwifi)

[neilmaclennan]

I'm using ubuntu9.10 and have it completely up to date with all the recommended updates installed.

I am soooo new to linux that i need a walkthrough and short explanation on what i am doing in the walkthrough. i don't know how to bnuild drivers as with windows that is already done you just double click and follow the prompts. it seems to be different for linux unless you guys know of a driver i can do that with. thanks i appreciate all the help

oh and by the way i am not responsible for the double underlined advetisements i guess linux forums does that automatically.

[ima5k]

OK. Open a terminal (you can find it at the Menu) and the following.

Is your wireless device working? Because i see that ath5k driver (for atheros devices) is there.
It should be working.

try (type at the terminal)
*You can copy-paste these commands toy your terminal

lsmod | grep ath5k

and if you get no result type:

sudo modprobe ath5k

**(ath5k is the "next" version of madwifi)

The first command lsmod gives you the list of loaded modules(drivers)
If you get no result from this, it means that ath5k is not loaded sto try the second command which loads the module ath5k.
Now, if you get result from the first command (this should be ath5k) means that the driver is loaded and your wireless card is working

[rokytnji]

Howdy Ima5k.

Because i see that ath5k driver (for atheros devices) is there

I posted that so the OP could see what linux wireless driver I am using for my Atheros card and it comes with the kernel already in Ubuntu 8.10.

So he/she probably has the driver already loaded. Just does not know it is all. Since 9.10 is a newer kernel than mine. I gave him/her links on how he/she should gather info on what is going on with his/her wireless. It is up to him/her to pick up on what I have given him/her. Your advice is also good.

I am soooo new to linux

@neilmaclennan : you are going to have to try and learn new things on how to run Linux. Just be patient. Follow instructions. You'll probably get connected if you follow the forums advice. Happy Trails, Rok