Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection help for FC8.

[ProRathack]

Hi guys,
I'm willing to install Fedora Core 8 on my laptop which is Dell Inspiron 630m.

I bilieve that I saw many posts about my wireless card not getting installed automatic, and I'm really newbie to anything Linux related.

Before I install my Fedora Core I searched for help sites to get my Wireless Card installed which is Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection Problem, but sadly, I didn't understand what to do because like I said to you I still real newbie.

http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/ I know many people will just tell me that site, but guys TRUST ME, I don't understand anything from that INSTALL help file.



1) Get the source and firmware.
D0NE.
2) Check for certain capabilities in your kernel, and rebuild the kernel
if necessary.
I think I won't find problems on that because it's only commads in Terminal which is quite simple.
3) Remove any old ieee80211 subsystem or Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
Network Connection driver for Linux, and remove any kernel configurations
relating to them.
H000OO0OW?
4) Build and install the current ieee80211 module.
L0LZ DUDE1!! HOW?
5) Build and install the current Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network
Connection driver for Linux module (uses files from ieee80211 subsystem).
BOTHER EXPLAINING HOW?

6) Download and install current firmware for your Intel PRO/Wireless
2915ABG Network Connection driver for Linux.
H0W THE HECK?

So please, I recomend from someone to write me the exact steps(1, 2, 3 etc..) to do because I'm really confused.

Thanks for your time and please spend some time telling me the steps ;)

[bbfuller]

Hello ProRathack

Wireless in Linux can be divided into two parts. Getting the drivers working for your card and getting connected to the access point.

This howto here:

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Fedora8#IPW2x00

should open in the area to do with your card.

As wireless is changing so fast in Linux, there is an awful lot of outdated information on the internet about it. The majority of what you need should be built into Fedora now and you should only need to download the firmware.

Be aware though that actually connecting with wireless has been a bit hit and miss for a lot of people in the latest Fedora. If you are able to get your machine connected to the internet by wire then it is always best to do a full update before you try the wireless as there have been a lot of changes to Fedora's wireless since it was released in October.

Have a look at the howto though and post back if there are any questions.

[glennzo]

Wouldn't NetworkManager do the trick for the ipw2200?

[bbfuller]

Hello ProRathack

It may be even simpler than I thought.

Following Glennzo's post I did some checking on my machines and it does appear as if the steps in the howto I listed are unnecessary.

I have an Intel wireless card and since the advent of Fedora 8 at least everything needed for my card to run (Intel 3945abg) is included in the Fedora installation.

It looks to me now like the installation also includes everything to run the Intel 2200 range and the 2100 range as well.

It could then be as simple (when you have installed Fedora 8) as just activating the card through NetworkManager. It was for my 3945.

NetworkManager, if you are installing from a DVD and using Gnome for your desktop should put an icon in the notification area on the top toolbar and left clicking on it should enable you to select from among local wireless networks.

One of two more hoops to jump through if you are using a live CD or KDE for the desktop, post back if you are doing that.

The NetworkManager that comes with the basic install of Fedora 8 has been updated since. If you can get to a wired connection and do a system update before trying to use the wireless it may make life easier.

There were a lot of unhappy users with the original NetworkManager, seemingly a lot less now.