[SOLVED] NetGear WNA1100 usb WiFi not working

[sqlpython]

As the Subject says:
La' Ordinator is a Dell c4600 dimension box. 2gb mem, 300gb HDrive.. The current Hardwire NIC is a LinkSys N USB (usb 10/100)
The computer is a Dual Boot WinXP and the WNA1100 works fine there.
I have tried ndiswrapper, no luck. I have used ndiswrapper for years with the bcm43xx series wifi so the procedure is quite familiar to me.....

sudo ndiswrapper -l (check loaded drivers)

sudo ndiswrapper -e bcmwl5 (unload as precaution possible installed same driver)

sudo ndiswrapper -l ( check again)

sudo ndiswrapper -i /home/yourUser/.wireless/bcmwl5.inf ( install driver)

sudo ndiswrapper -m (writes an alias for wlan0 )

sudo modprobe ndiswrapper (add ndiswrapper module)
ReBoot OR restart Networking

When the Driver is installed netathurx.inf the system lets you know that the alternative driver is ath9k_htc.. If we check with

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lsusb

the chip is identified as Atheros AR9271
The Wna1100 as above can be gotten to work in Debian as here http://wiki.debian.org/ath9k_htc
That simple...
Slackware seems to want the hard road...
BTW...
once I

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 modprobe ath9k_htc

then a ....
su
i

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fconfig wlan0 up

will momentarily make the USB wna1100 flash..momentarily.. but that is all.. no connection..

Further an

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Ifconfig -a

...will show the HRDWR address of the wna1100 attached to wlan0 ..
..and I have

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iwconfig wlan0 essid Myrouter

which then will list the router linked to wlan0 in a

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iwconfig

So in conclusion... No luck with ndiswrapper and the netathurx.inf Nor without ndiswrapper using modprobe ath9k

Old Linux Geezer open to suggestions regarding the Slackware Solution..

[gapan]

According to that debian page, you need the firmware for that device, which is non-free. If you get that ath3k-1.fw firmware file and put it in /lib/firmware, I guess it will work with the ath9k_htc module. The output of dmesg, when you plug it in would have been helpful.

[sqlpython]

According to that debian page, you need the firmware for that device, which is non-free.

Yes, I did note that.........
I must make known that this really an issue on my son's Slackware/Vector 7 install..
However, I thought I would pick the collective brains of these Resident Slackware experts as well.
In Vector 7 the ath9k_htc already resides as module in /modules/drivers/wireless...
Yet does not exist in /lib/firmware... but it does modprobe in nicely..

So, I am attempting to get all any help regarding this issue
THanks

[Shador]

In Vector 7 the ath9k_htc already resides as module in /modules/drivers/wireless...
Yet does not exist in /lib/firmware... but it does modprobe in nicely..

So, I am attempting to get all any help regarding this issue

So what? What about gapan's suggestion?

[sqlpython]

So what?

Ow!
Nothing like a friendly opening to garner attention...
but none the less I will answer courteously...
1. I never said I was not/would not attempt the firmware suggestion from gapan..
2. You will note the "Thanks" rather then the "So What" at the end of my reply..
3. My note of the fact that the Module ath9k_htc existing was for further consideration. (may be important & prompt other responses)

In pursuing computer science solutions for over 30 years I have learned to look and consider 360 degrees rather then in a linear fashion.
I was once told that Knowledge isn't knowing all the answers but knowing where to find them. I consider this forum a good resource.

Anyway, thanks for the thought, Andy.

[Shador]

3. My note of the fact that the Module ath9k_htc existing was for further consideration. (may be important & prompt other responses)

Yes, and that's what my so what was targeted at. I couldn't make proper sense of that statement nor could I see what problem your were suggesting if at all. So this was a "So what?" as in elaborate.

1. I never said I was not/would not attempt the firmware suggestion from gapan..

That's the point. It was absolutely unclear whether you were going to try it or whether you straightly ditched this. So I just asked.

Nothing like a friendly opening to garner attention...

As I said, I was just asking you to elaborate. I don't need attention, I offered you some attention of mine.
Sorry, if the "so what" appeared rude to you. But from my point of view it isn't (as I explained) and while it's not the most polite choice it was not meant rude at all either. I think it's natural that you are not necessarily that polite anymore in certain situations when it's late and you're tired after a very long and exhausting day. Nevertheless I tried not to become rude - I think that's the least - and as far as I can tell didn't.

[sqlpython]

while it's not the most polite choice it was not meant rude at all either.

I understand and Thank You for the explanation....
Sorry for the misread.
You have to take into account that you are dealing with a Geezer here..
And I have to remember that 20 somethings Deal with subjects in Sudden Dispatch. "Get Right to the Point"
I should know as I have a 28 year old son..

So, misunderstanding understood! Thank You..

Now if You or anyone else can shed or "Shador Some Light" on the wifi issue I would be gratified.

Meanwhile I will attempt the direct non-free Firmware install as per gapan's suggestion this weekend..
This same opening post and thread is at Vector and although viewed not an attempt to solve.

[sqlpython]

...Ok, I can mark this thread as Surprised and Solved on my Son's Vector 7 install.

As pe my first post I was baffled (but then I am baffled quite often)..as I had
Modprobed thefirmware driver.,
ifconfig wlan0 up
iwconfig wlan0 essid myrouterName

..As I had noted Vector did include ath9k_htc with the install..apparently that was the firmware and Driver need.
However WICD continued to indicate No Wireless connections in the neighborhood.
The ifconfig continued to indicate the wlan0 attached to the USB's wifi hardware address.
The iwconfig continued to indicate that wlan0 was linked to myrouterName.
.....But the Netgear USB WiFi dongle did not light up..
I knew I had a line to it as every
ifconfig wlan0 up
..would momentarily Flash the USB's lights.

...I rebooted and or restarted Networking countless times but to no avail....
Finally, I quit WICD from the panel and restarted then checked checked and scanned again...Nothing..
The Wifi properties of WICD were set to wlan0..
So, I shut down the computer with WICD quit and off..

.....When I restarted Vector 7 WICD restarted as an app in the Panel. I opened WICD in the Desktop to have it once again Scan for Wireless routers..
AND.. Voila! We are scanning and finding Wifi Networks in the neighborhood as well as ours.
The Dongle is lite... I love it..
..............Lesson learned " Turn Off WICD and Shutdown. Restart to give WICD a chance to reconfigure from Scratch..
Apparently, this does make a difference that a Simple Shutdown with WICD does not...