NetGear WG511 Wireless Card on Yoper v2

NOTE: if you read the tutorial and are still experiencing difficulties and would like help, you are asked to start a new topic on the forums. Please do NOT reply to this thread to ask a technical question. Replies to THIS thread should be corrections and enhancements on the tutorial/howto only. Thanks in advance for your co-operation. LinuxForums.org ------------------------------------------ One problem with Linux is its lack of native drivers for the latest and greatest network cards. And when there is one out there, it is often an esoteric, chewing-gum solution. It took me two months to get this wireless card (NetGear WG511) to work, and its taken me to hell and back. Many sites will tell you to go with the Linuxant DriverLoader solution, using the native Windows drivers, but this has a couple major downsides: 1)It requires a license, which isn't a real problem in it of itself, because they offer you a free license, but: 2)The Linuxant program binds the driver to an MAC address, so you can only use one physical card per license, so if this card breaks and you get another type of card, then: buh-bye 3)Using the Native Windows drivers can have a slight reduction in speed, but they don't tell you that (hehe) My major problem was that the site just hung, and would crash my computer. So I said $#%^ this, and looked for another solution: Use the native linux driver. To do this you go have to patch the kernel to support the chipset used by the WG511, which is the Prism GT/Prism Duette. This is the solution that I finally got to work, and hopefully it will work for you... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TUTORIAL: INSTALLING THE NETGEAR WG511 First, I'll give the specs on the target computer: Toshiba Portege 7020CT Intel Pentium II Mobile@137Mhz 192MB SDRAM Yoper v.2 Kernel 2.6.8.1-3 *---------------------------------------------------------------------------------* PLEASE NOTE: RECENT VERSIONS OF YOPER HAVE SHIPPED WITH PRISM54 SUPPORT. IT IS ONLY NECESSARY TO INSTALL THE FIRMWARE. IF YOU USE YOPER V.2.1, THEN SKIP TO THE SECOND SECTION. *----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Okay, now to the nitty-gritty: 1)Open up Mozilla, Konqueror, Internet Explorer(yikes!) or whatever your favorite browser is 2)Go to http://prism54.org 3)Download the Latest Tarball 4)Extract the patch:   Code: tar xvfj tarball.tar.bz2 5) Code: cd tarball Now's where you can't just go by the README anymore! You need some information first! To patch the kernel to support Prism54 Wireless (well, actually, to patch the kernel anytime), you need to have the kernel source installed! If you don't have it, then: 6) (a) 1. Code: apt-get install kernel-source or if you have Red Hat: 2. Code: yum install kernel-source or for Gentoo: 3. Code: emerge kernel-source or something similar, replacing "kernel-source" with the appropriate name for the kernel source package. (b)After you have the kernel source installed, you need to find out where it is installed to. Once you have this information, proceed to Step 7. 7)(a)Make sure that you are logged in as root. If you are not, then:   Code: su - (b)In the directory where the tarball was extracted to, enter the following into the command shell:   Code: make KDIR=/path/to/kernel/source/here clean modules After that, you will want to copy the file prism54.ko into the tarball directory, because whenever I did make install, it said file not found:   Code: cp /lib/modules/kernelversion/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/prism54/prism54.ko /path/to/extracted/tarball/ksrc which for me was:   Code: cp /lib/modules/2.6.8.1-3/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/prism54/prism54.ko ~/prism54-1.1/ksrc Then do:   Code: make KDIR=/path/to/kernel/source/here install It shouldn't return with any errors, and it installs pretty quickly. Then:   Code: depmod -a Whew! We're half-way there. We've installed the kernel patch, and now we need to install the firmware! (Disregard the README at this point, because it gives you an invalid URL) In order to get the firmware to work, you must create a place for it reside where the Kernel looks for it by default. This is done by:   Code: mkdir -p /usr/lib/hotplug/firmware Then change directories to it, so the firmware will install to there when downloaded:   Code: cd /usr/lib/hotplug/firmware And then, finally, to install it:   Code: wget http://prism54.org/~mcgrof/firmware/isl3890 9)To make sure the firmware was installed correctly:   Code: ifconfig eth0 replacing eth0 with the device number for your wireless card (i.e.eth1, wlan1, etc) 10)Activate it!   Code: ifconfig eth0 up iwconfig eth0 mode managed #this is for Infrastructure mode, i.e. using an access point or for Ad-Hoc (Peer-to-Peer):   Code: ifconfig eth0 up iwconfig eth0 mode ad-hoc#this is for ad-hoc mode, i.e. sharing a connection with another laptop/PC This should be enough. You should be able to then do something like:   Code: root@yos prism54-1.1 # ping google.com PING google.com (216.239.39.99): 56 data bytes 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=0 ttl=241 time=241.603 ms 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=1 ttl=241 time=191.558 ms 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=2 ttl=241 time=171.591 ms 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=3 ttl=241 time=241.988 ms 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=4 ttl=241 time=190.428 ms 64 bytes from 216.239.39.99: icmp_seq=5 ttl=241 time=145.057 ms --- google.com ping statistics --- 6 packets transmitted, 6 packets received, 0% packet loss round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 145.057/197.038/241.988/35.190 ms You should be able to. However for me, it was something more like:   Code: root@yos prism54-1.1 # ping google.com PING google.com Unknown Host 11)Make sure the problem isn't local:   Code: ping 216.239.39.99 if that works, then you don't have your DNS server set up correctly   Code: ping 192.168.0.1 replacing 192.168.0.1 with the local IP of your router If this works, but not the previous step, then your problem has to do with the router not connecting to the internet If neither of these work, then you aren't connected correctly 12)Make sure that your computer is using DHCP:   Code: yoperconf Select "Netcard Config" from the Menu, and when it asks whether to use DHCP, select "Yes" 13)Then, select the Yoper Menu from the bottom panel (or the RedHat for RH/Fedora, etc, submenus vary for different distros) and select: Yoper Menu => Internet => More Applications => KWifiManager 14)Select the desired mode (ad-hoc/peer-to-peer or infrastructure), and make sure to input the correct WEP encryption key, if you use one. Select "Activate configuration when KDE starts up", and click on apply. Within a minute or so, your router should give you a valid IP address, and you'll be good to go. One peculiarity to note, however, is that whenever I had my wired ethernet plugged in, Linux would recognize the card, but not get a valid IP. I have that working now though. Happy Surfing! -lakerdonald *note:I have now tried this NIC with four major Linux Distributions: Fedora Core 1, Gentoo, Knoppix 3.6, and Yoper v2.1. This wireless card works out of the box with Knoppix 3.6. I got it working somewhat with Fedora Core 1, and of course it works with Yoper. The only real problem I've had is with Gentoo. I recompiled the kernel to support it, I installed the drivers and the firmware. Though here is a tutorial that some people have had success with: Forums.Gentoo.org

Ubuntu Multimedia HOWTO

NOTE: if you read the tutorial and are still experiencing difficulties and would like help, you are asked to start a new topic on the forums. Please do NOT reply to this thread to ask a technical question. Replies to THIS thread should be corrections and enhancements on the tutorial/howto only. Thanks in advance for your co-operation. LinuxForums.org ------------------------------------------ Ubuntu Multimedia HOWTO Introduction ------------ "Will Warty Warthog / Ubuntu include complete multimedia support?" Ubuntu Linux [1] is a Debian-based, desktop Linux distribution whose name means "humanity to others." The philosophy behind this GNU/Linux distribution and the great selection of packages make you feel good that you're using it. The lack of multimedia support, however, leaves your digital media desires unsated. "We're still working out some of the difficult legal / policy issues involved with multimedia support. Warty Warthog will include some multimedia support, we just need to find out what we can safely and freely do." This HOWTO details the installation and configuration of applications essential to your media enjoyment on Ubuntu. Update It --------- If you've installed Ubuntu, and you should have a fresh install for this HOWTO, then you're already familiar with its default use of sudo. You'll be using sudo a lot. The first step towards an Ubuntu multimedia powerhouse is to make sure your box is up-to-date [2]. $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get upgrade $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade MPlayer ------- It's time to grab all of the packages needed to install MPlayer. MPlayer is the most versatile media player available for GNU/Linux - video, audio, X, no X - it very well may be the only player you'll need. Let's start with gcc/g++ and other dependencies, and then grab the MPlayer source. $ sudo apt-get install manpages-dev $ sudo apt-get install autoconf $ sudo apt-get install automake $ sudo apt-get install libtool $ sudo apt-get install flex $ sudo apt-get install bison $ sudo apt-get install gcc-doc $ sudo apt-get install g++ $ sudo apt-get install x-window-system-dev $ sudo apt-get install libgtk1.2-dev $ sudo apt-get install libpng-dev Have your Warty Warthog CD handy and accept any extra packages, e.g. the libtool install will also install gcc. We'll use a US mirror for the MPlayer packages and assume you're working in your home directory. Download MPlayer, codecs, English fonts and the default blue skin. Internationalization and slick graphics are up to you. $ wget http://ftp3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/rel....0pre5.tar.bz2 $ wget http://ftp3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/rel...040922.tar.bz2 $ wget http://ftp3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/rel...8859-1.tar.bz2 $ wget http://ftp3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/Skin/Blue-1.4.tar.bz2 Using the README from mplayerhq.hu [3] as a baseline, install the codecs with the following commands. $ tar -xjf essential-20040922.tar.bz2 $ sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/lib/codecs $ sudo cp essential-20040922/* /usr/local/lib/codecs/ Time to compile MPlayer. Issue these commands. $ tar -xjf MPlayer-1.0pre5.tar.bz2 $ cd MPlayer-1.0pre5 $ ./configure --enable-gui $ make $ sudo make install Now install the fonts and skin. $ cd $ tar -xjf font-arial-iso-8859-1.tar.bz2 $ sudo cp font-arial-iso-8859-1/font-arial-14-iso-8859-1/* /usr/local/share/mplayer/font/ $ tar -xjf Blue-1.4.tar.bz2 $ sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/share/mplayer/Skin/default $ sudo cp -r Blue/* /usr/local/share/mplayer/Skin/default/ Finally, copy over the included conf files. $ sudo cp MPlayer-1.0pre5/etc/* /usr/local/etc/mplayer/ Test your install by launching the graphical version of MPlayer. $ gmplayer QuickTime, WindowsMedia, MPEG, avi - you should be able to play just about anything. Give yourself quick access to MPlayer by adding a launcher to the top GNOME panel. Right click on the panel and click Add to Panel... Select Custom Application Launcher and click Add. Use the following information and click OK. Name: MPlayer Command: /usr/local/bin/gmplayer Icon: /usr/local/share/mplayer/Skin/default/icons/32x32.png Playing DVDs ------------ The Ubuntu Wiki discusses restricted formats [4], which includes CSS and DVD playback. To add DVD playback capability to Ubuntu, use the Synaptics Howto [5] to add ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat to your sources list (unstable, main). Then sync your package index. $ sudo apt-get update Grab the infamous DeCSS. $ sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2 Add a dvd link and enjoy DVDs with MPlayer and Ubuntu. $ sudo ln -s /media/cdrom0 /dev/dvd XMMS ---- With your video needs taken care of, we can move on the audio portion of our show by installing XMMS. $ sudo apt-get install libmikmod2 $ sudo apt-get install xmms Logging out and logging back in will find XMMS already in the Applications/ Multimedia menu. And there it is - instant Ogg/mp3/jukebox/streaming audio goodness. A Little Perl ------------- For streaming internet radio, you can of course use XMMS. Set your preference in Firefox and you're good to go. I listen to a few stations regularly, and I always have a gnome-term open. With those things in mind, I've found it much more convenient to write a Perl script that uses MPlayer to stream my favorite music. #!/usr/bin/perl -w # mplay.pl - # command line streaming of your fav stations # usage: mplay <channel> use strict; help() unless defined(my $chan = shift); if ($chan =~ /bass/) { system("mplayer http://us-dc1.streams.bassdrive.com:8012"); } elsif ($chan =~ /cryo/) { system("mplayer http://207.200.96.225:8022"); } elsif ($chan =~ /di/) { system("mplayer http://205.188.234.68:8006"); } elsif ($chan =~ /ind/) { system("mplayer http://130.240.207.88:9090"); } elsif ($chan =~ /talk/) { system("mplayer http://broadcast.rantradio.com:9010"); } else { help(); } sub help { print <<EOF; Usage: mplay <channel> Channels: bass - BassDrive cryo - Cryosleep di - Digitally Imported ind - RantRadio Industrial talk - RantRadio Talk EOF exit; } "mplay rant" plays RantRadio's 128-bit industrial stream quickly and without a browser. If you need your terminal, "q" stops the stream, do your deed, and up arrow gets the stream right back (or of course Ctrl+ Shift+T for a new tab in gnome-terminal). Conclusion ---------- Ubuntu Linux is an impressive distribution. Even more impressive is the conviction of the developers. "The most important thing about Ubuntu is not that it is available free of charge, but that it confers rights of software freedom on the people who install and use it." They put their money where their apt is. So as a GNU/Linux user, the tasks detailed above are trivial compared to the decisions made not to include such support. Please support free software developers. Continue to use Ubuntu. Contribute to the Ubuntu Linux community. And watch Batman: Dead End while you're doing it [6]. References ---------- [1] http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ [2] I could not intuitively get Rhythmbox to play one simple Ogg file. So my first step in setting up multimedia on Ubuntu is to sudo apt-get remove rhythmbox. [3] http://www.mplayerhq.hu/DOCS/README [4] http://wiki.ubuntu.com/RestrictedFormats [5] http://wiki.ubuntu.com/SynapticHowto [6] http://www.theforce.net/theater/shor...atman_deadend/

How to mount usb flash drives in linux.

NOTE: if you read the tutorial and are still experiencing difficulties and would like help, you are asked to start a new topic on the forums. Please do NOT reply to this thread to ask a technical question. Replies to THIS thread should be corrections and enhancements on the tutorial/howto only. Thank you in advance for your co-operation. LinuxForums.org ------------------------------------------ I hope this will help any one mount their usb flash key device, everything I did as “root”. Some devices will be supported and some are not. You can check on www.linuxhardware.net to see if device supported. First plug your usb card reader and to make sure your device was detected go to System Tools > Hardware Browser > enter root password and it will display your hardware information then go to > Hard Drives and it should be listed under /dev/sda. Open your favorite terminal....btw this works in gnome and kde. [imdeemvp@localhost imdeemvp]$ cd /mnt/ <-as user cd yourself to the mnt folder and become root to create directory [imdeemvp@localhost mnt]$ su Password: [root@localhost mnt]# mkdir usbflash <- this created a directory in the mnt folder [root@localhost mnt]# ls /mnt/ <-this command listed all my directories the mnt folder cdrom cdrom1 floppy usbflash [root@localhost mnt]# mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbflash <-this is the command to mount flash card reader [root@localhost mnt]# ls usbflash <-this listed all the info in my usb flash card and this was the output: bootex.log dns.bmp games and keys LinuxDocs01.21.04 pc's dns2.bmp Documents LinuxDistributions_eBay my pics programs then i just copied this to my home folder and i was done! [root@localhost mnt]# umount /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbflash <-this unmounted my usb flash card umount: /dev/sda1: not mounted [root@localhost mnt]# exit [imdeemvp@localhost mnt]$ THIS ALSO WORKED UNDER Mandrake 9.1, 9.2, and 10 official. in terminal type as root: gedit /etc/fstab and NOW YOU CAN ADD THIS LINE TO FSTAB to auto mount it: Code: /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbflash vfat noauto,users,rw,umask=0 0 0 Adding "rw" allows to read and write in the usb flash drive. HAVE FUN!! UPDATED 11.28.04 Please note that under FC3 it automounts in your desktop. It is plug and play.

Running X programs as root

NOTE: if you read the tutorial and are still experiencing difficulties and would like help, you are asked to start a new topic on the forums. Please do NOT reply to this thread to ask a technical question. Replies to THIS thread should be corrections and enhancements on the tutorial/howto only. Thanks in advance for your co-operation. LinuxForums.org ------------------------------------------ I am sure there are many who have this same problem. Not being able to run X programs as root because you don't have authority to use X server. There are always many suggestions regarding the xhost + commands but there is an easier way to get around this (works every time for me) Run the program as your normal user like so   Code: su "-c <program>" You then give root password and away you go

Editing the Menu on Fluxbox

Fluxbox is growing in popularity as a lightweight alternative window manager, and as such, many new users are switching to us. Many are turned off, however, by the fact that you have to edit your menus by hand. I can't tell you the number of times I've been interuppted from my game of frozen bubble to answer fluxbox menu editing questions on irc or here. So for the sake of my gaming, I decided to write a tutorial! Here is what you need to do: 1)Install Fluxbox (duh) 2)Either open up a shell (konsole, xterm, Eterm, etc.) and type:   Code: vi ~/.fluxbox/menu replacing vi with your favorite editor OR Open '~/.fluxbox/menu' with your favorite WYSIWYG editor 3)The file might seem a bit intimidating at first, but it's really not that bad! Fluxbox Menu files take this form:   Code: [Begin] (Fluxbox) [submenu] (Menu1) [exec] (item1) {item1 -a -b -c} [exec] (item2) {item2 --option} [end] [submenu] (Menu2) [exec] (item3) {item3} [end] [end] You can add and delete things as you please:   Code: [exec] [name] {command} and also add submenus:   Code: [submenu] (Name) [exec] (blah) {blah} [end] , just don't forget to close each new menu with a "[end]" 4)Then, to put your new menu into action, right click somewhere on the desktop. Then go to "fluxbox menu" (or something similar), and select "reload configuration" or "restart" If your menu becomes corrupt, just type from a terminal:   Code: fluxbox-generate_menu , which restores the menu to something sane

How to show your grub menu in FC3.

FC3 looks nice when the GRUB loads but pressing an extra key to show YOUR boot menu it can be annoying so this is how you can get rid of it. 1. open terminal and become root (type: su + password) 2. Edit the grub.conf file:   Code: gedit /etc/grub.conf Right below the splashimage line you will see a this phrase: hiddenmenu which is what you need to delete to see the grub options if you are doing a dual boot. When done, DONT FORGET TO CLICK ON SAVE.