Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

[SirDuncan]

I just got a Gigafast USB Wireless G for Christmas. I was hoping it would work with the built in ZD1211 driver, but it didn't. (Yes, it is using ZD1211, but I'm not sure whether it is ZD1211 or ZD1211b). I downloaded a dotpup called "zd1211-r83" and installed it. Still, it did not work. I even gave a go at compiling the driver that came with it, but I couldn't get that to work either (I simply couldn't get the settings right for it to compile properly, but I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to compiling). Nearly every link I found for a precompiled driver was dead. I can't even get the windows drivers to load in ndiswrapper. I would appreciate it if someone could repost the compiled drivers (both the original and b so I can try both) or help me get through the compiling process.
In case it matters, I am trying to use it on both puppylite w/zdrv 2.12 and regular puppy 2.12.

[tempestuous]

[SirDuncan]

I downloaded and installed the dotpup. I then tried to run the commands that kirk said made it work for him (on the same forum you linked me to). All I got was this:

sh-3.00# modprobe firmware_class

sh-3.00# modprobe ieee80211softmac
FATAL: Error inserting ieee80211softmac (/lib/modules/2.6.18.1/kernel/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

sh-3.00# modprobe zd1211rw
WARNING: Error inserting ieee80211softmac (/lib/modules/2.6.18.1/kernel/net/ieee80211/softmac/ieee80211softmac.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)
FATAL: Error inserting zd1211rw (/lib/modules/2.6.18.1/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/zd1211rw/zd1211rw.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

So, it is still not working. Am I possibly missing some dependency? Or is there some config file somewhere?

I haven't tried it on regular puppy, just puppylite, so if it is a dependency problem it may work on the full version. I'll let you know after I try it. Thank you for your help so far.

EDIT:
I tried it on regular puppy, and it doesn't work there either. I get the same error messages.

[tempestuous]

The ieee80211softmac is failing to load because it depends on the ieee80211 module. Do this -

modprobe firmware_class
modprobe ieee80211
modprobe ieee80211softmac
modprobe zd1211rw

Look at my later reply in that thread to mark2 for more detailed answer.

[barriew]

I got my ZD1211B adapter to work by compiling the Linux driver supplied with the adapter. If you didn't get this with yours, I can send it to you if you wish.

Barrie

[SirDuncan]

That sort of did the trick. I'm not getting error messages now, but as soon as I use "modprobe zd1211rw" the light on the adaptor goes out (meaning that the adaptor is not transmitting or recieving). I now have the network interface showing, but it can't talk to the adapter. So now I'm kind of stumped. The adapter definitely should be working at this point.

Barrie: I tried compiling it myself, but I really don't know what I'm doing. Thus, I failed. Thanks for the offer though.

[tempestuous]

After "modprobe zd1211rw" check "dmesg" for clues about what happened.
And I just remembered that the firmware might need to be shifted from /lib/firmware/zd1211 to /lib/firmware

[rarsa]

I can send you the driver when I get home. I have that exact USB adapter and it has always worked great with Puppy.

[amish]

this is great, and i'm about ready to purchase a usb wireless device. i can always/will check the hw subforum, but can anyone in this thread (who is obviously familiar) recommend a really GOOD / easy usb wireless device? i'll try to get the "best" one recommeneded by a puppyuser. the ones i've seen look like little thumbdrives, but i have no aversion to the little usb boxes with a "large" antenna on them- i just want to know what works well with puppy.

[rarsa]

Sorry that I didn't upload the driver today but I noticed that you are using 2.12 and I have it compiled for 2.02.

I will compile it for 2.12 tomorrow.

Cheers.

[SirDuncan]

Tempestuous: I will try that when I get back home (I don't have the adapter with me since it isn't working with linux yet).

Rarsa: Thanks, if I can't get Tempestuous' drivers to work, yours will be greatly appreciated.

[SirDuncan]

Well, I get it to connect to the router, but I cannot get out to the internet or scan the network. I tried both DHCP and static IP.
dmesg is giving me this:

//REMOVED due to taking up too much space.

I can't really see anything in that mess, but I don't know what to look for. The only line I see that looks like it might be an unexpected error is this 'ieee80211softmac: no version for "struct_module" found: kernel tainted.' I don't what it means or what to do about (or I would have done it, obviously), but maybe you (or Rarsa) do.

[rarsa]

If you get to connect to the router then it is not a driver or HW problem.

It may very well be a problem with the specification of the DNS.

Check your /etc/resolv.conf file to see if it is pointing to valid DNS servers.

In my case it contains my router's address as it does the proxy for the DNS it gets from the ISP

[tempestuous]

rarsa may be right about network config issues, but I have seen cases where wifi adaptors PARTIALLY worked after failing to load their firmware.
That's why I wanted you to check your dmesg. But I think your dmesg output is incomplete. The default line buffer in rxvt is not displaying enough lines. Launch rxvt with a larger line buffer, like this -

rxvt -sl 1000

Now run dmesg. Look for anything related to "softmac" and "firmware".

[rarsa]