Networking :: Wireless PCMCIA card configure

I have a Compaq Armada E500 with 447 Ghz and 128mb Ram. I am trying to use a PCMCIA card 'Comtrend' which is Ralink 2500.

DSL recognises the card via Cardbus Hotplug so it is showing OK, but I cannot get it to work ( a green light comes on when I boot but for the rest of the time it is lifeless and the system does not find it.)
PC Card Control shows Function 6 - Network.
wlcardconfig = 'no wireless network card found'

So I have searched foums etc and ended up downloaded a Ralink driver and something called RutilT to help set it up. From here: http://rt2x00.serialmonkey.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Now I'm beginning to get right out of my depth on these. Before I spend several more days getting nowhere or worse digging a deeper hole is there anyone who can steer me down a sensible path.

I run a wireless USB card on a Ubuntu desktop, but that came with excellent instructions.

Isn't this the one that requires either non-SMP kernel or ndiswrapper?

original here.