Dell Inspiron 1525/ Fedora 9

[Neophyte]

Well, looking at what you did, I can tell you exactly why it wasn't working for me; when given the choice

1) installation
2) generate patch
3) exit
Choose your favorite installation method:

I typed "installation", not "1". This is what I mean when I say I'm a neophyte!

So I typed "1" this time, and I got exactly the results you described. What's my next step?

Thanks!

[waterhead]

After loading the module with the modprobe sk98lin command, and checking with lsmod to ensure that it loaded, you should configure it as a new network device.

In Fedora, open the Network program, found in the main menu(s). Click on the wireless and then select "Edit". I always use these settings:

Controlled by NetworkManager
Allow all users to enable and disable this device
Automatically obtain IP address settings with: dhcp
Automatically obtain DNS information from provider

In the "Wireless Settings" tab i use this:

Mode: Managed
Network Name (SSID): Auto

Click "OK". And you return to the Network section. Save the configuration in File-->Save, and exit,

Now find the NetworkManager icon in the system tray, and right click it. make sure that the Enable Wireless box is checked. now left click to connect to available networks.

You may need to reboot before the wireless device becomes available. The new sk98lin module may not load automatically, so check for it. If it didn't load, manually load it again.

Let me know how it works.

[Neophyte]

Okay, I found the Network Configuration tool and made the changes you listed. (I also rebooted.) But I can't find the "Network Manager" icon in the System tray. There's a "Network Device Control" icon under "Administration", but there are no devices listed in it.

So I'm stuck again!

[waterhead]

The system tray is the same in Linux as it is in Windows, it is a part of the taskbar. You usually find NetworkManager next to the date/time.

It is possible that you don't have it enabled. Then open up the "Services" GUI and enable NetworkManager and if available NetworkManagerDispatcher.

[Neophyte]

Okay, I continue to move along at a snail's pace here...

I've found the Network Manager, and yes, it was in the toolbar like you said it was.

But when I right click, here's what I get:
An "enable networking" box, which is checked
An "edit connections..." choice
And an "about" choice

When I left click, here's what I get:
"Wired Network" which is gray and can't be selected
"System eth0" which is gray and can't be selected
"VPN Connections" which can be selected

If I select "VPN Connections" I get:
"Configure VPN..." which can be selected
"Disconnect VPN" which is gray

If I select "Configure VPN" I get a dialog box that has tabs for:
Wired
Wireless
Mobile Broadband
VPN
and DSL

the only tab with any choice in it is the Wired tab, which has "System eth0" which is marked "never" in gray.

Thanks for your continued guidance!

[waterhead]

Try this. Go back into the "Network" GUI and click on the wireless connection and then the "Activate" button on top. If it is greyed out, edit the configuration and remove the "Controlled by NetworkManager" setting. Save the configuration, and you may need to reboot. Now try again to activate the wireless.

If you are successful, try this command (try it anyway).

iwlist scan

[Neophyte]

Okay, I went back to the Network Configuration GUI, I unchecked the "Controlled by Network Manager" box, I saved, and I rebooted. When I tried to click the "Activate" button, I got this message:

Device eth1 does not seem to be present, delaying initialization.

Here's the response I got to the "iwlist scan" command:

lo Interface doesn't support scanning.
eth0 Interface doesn't support scanning.
pan0 Interface doesn't support scanning.

[waterhead]

Have you checked to see if the sk98lin module is automatically loading at boot?

[Neophyte]

How do I check for that? I watched as I booted up and didn't see the word anywhere. Is there an icon I should be looking for? A command I should use in Terminal?

Thanks!

[waterhead]

How do I check for that? I watched as I booted up and didn't see the word anywhere. Is there an icon I should be looking for? A command I should use in Terminal?

Thanks!

Use this command:

lsmod