Re: Suse 9.3 on a desktop replacement (WLAN pcmcia)

From: ac (aec_at_candt.demon.co.uk)
Date: 08/18/05 

Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 09:48:38 +0100

loki wrote:
> First off, ya-all rock. I was not expecting many comments, if any.
> With the amount I have received I think you have saved me some money,
> at the least a few head aches. I will try to comment on all that I
> can.
[...]
>> alanc
>> Is this a laptop? Integrated wireless drivers can be problematic
>> because some manufactureres do not cooperate with linux... dial up
>> modems...It is worth avoiding haste at this stage if you can. It is
>> useful to try live CDs. Suse has a live 9.3 dvd for example.
>> btw - drivers for new hardware take a time to produce for linux unless
>> the manufactureres have been linux aware, so the very latest things can
>> be more risky for a newbie particularly.

> Yes, this is a laptop. I also have an PCMCIA WLAN, if the internal
> fails, the integrated dial up modem, comes by default, I doubt I will
> ever use it. I am in a bit of a rush with this.

I had trouble obtaining a pcmcia wireless card recently because the
sales information virtually never indicated what the chip used was. And
to make things worse one manufacturer kept the same part number and used
a different chip!
my experience (use google search groups -
============
Thu, 24 Feb 2005
Subject: Netgear WG511v2 (Marvell chip) pcmcia - Problems recognising?
============
when I bought a WG511 - many good reports of this at the time on the
web. But, what was supplied had a v2 in small print on the box rear, and
was a completely different chip!

I eventually found a retailer who declared chips -
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-pcmcia.htm
(there may be others....)

suse 9.3 has yast online update options for
=================
firmware for ACX100 WLAN cards -
ftp://ftpdlink.com/Wireless/dwl520+Driver/dwl520+_drivers_307.zip 2.4 MB
[Post -Script]installacx100firmware.sh

firmware for ACX111 WLAN cards -
http://wwwsitecom.com/md_download.php?md_id=1607 5.0 MB
[Post Script] installacx111firmware.sh

firmware for PrismGT WLAN cards -
http://artem.de/content/artem000221/CC-54g_v1017.zip 1.5 MB
[Post Script] installintersilfirmware.sh
=================
I used the prism one with suse 9.2 and it was very easy indeed. YOU will
need to be (somehow) online of course.

The fall back internal dial up modem is unlikely to be any use unless
you are a real expert. A serial port connected external modem is the
real fall back, might be worth considering.

hth 

-- 
alanc