PCLinuxOS - WiFi problem

I was booting live version of PCLinuxOS but the wifi is not working at all.
Is it there any way to solve this issue so I can install this distro on my AAO?
thank you so much in advance!

 

I think it is a kernel issue PCLinuxOS's default install is outdated (about a year). You might want to take a chance and see if it is resolved with a recent update (I think the more recent kernal has support for it because few people have complained about that when building a custom kernal). This can be done by installing and then pluging it into the internet with a wire! PCLinuxOS focuses on updates rather then releasing many separate Live-CD releases. They also focus on tried and true, stable software rather than experimenting.

They are supposed to release a new version of PCLinuxOS soon (don't ask me when they are a small team and "its done when it is done" I guess is there motto) so I would wait for that if you can.

 

thanks for you prompt reply, I will wait for it.
cheers

 

well... I tried every single live distro and NON recognise the wi-fi wilst they all do
in my other PC. this is clearly something wrong with the AAO !

 

Errm no, nothing's wrong with the AAO in that respect, save for Acer's decision to use a closed source card--probably has something to do with cost, as that card is popular in many low end machines.

It's an AR5007EG Atheros card. Although livna-testing (in Fedora supports it) and it will be supported by the ath5k module in the 2.6.27 kernel (though it seems you lose the sysctl options which get LED lights working) it's fairly easy to install and use.

I have a page on it at http://home.nyc.rr.com/computertaijutsu ... .html#5007 which goes through the steps to install the madwifi driver. I'm not sure how you'll do it on a live CD though.

The Mandriva 2008 one cd should see and support the card, however. PCLinux OS, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc., don't support that card.


So, that's why the CD's you're trying don't work with that card--one could also blame Atheros, for taking so long to come around.

Hope this helps.

 

thanks scottro !

i will install the distro and then follow your instructions. i'll let you know when is all up and running.

thanks

 

Have you tried getting the source code for the wireless card from Madwifi ?
http://madwifi.org/ticket/1192

http://snapshots.madwifi.org/madwifi-hal-0.10.5.6/
Get the latest and extract it, to its own folder.

Compile it at a root terminal, with...

make
make install
modprobe ath_pci

It should then work.

 

That's part of what is covered in my page.


It simply gives more specific instructions, aimed at the beginner.
I don't remember if I specifically cover PCLinuxOS, but it should pretty much work with the Fedora instructions. I don't remember if it came with the development tools (kernel headers, make, gcc and like) already installed or if I had to do it with their package manager.

 

i try to reinstall driver but Make don't work

[root@localhost madwifi-hal-0.10.5.6-r3861-20080903]# make
/bin/sh: line 0: cd: /lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/build: No such file or directory
Makefile.inc:66: *** /lib/modules/2.6.23.9lw/build is missing, please set KERNELPATH. Stop.
[root@localhost madwifi-hal-0.10.5.6-r3861-20080903]#

why?

 

Because you didn't listen to me.

Once again, follow the link that I gave you.