I'm currently using an IBM ThinkPad 2621-A20 iSeries laptop.
I have tried a couple of different live CDs (all Knoppix variants) and I always have the same problem: my Linksys WPC11 Wireless PCMCIA card won't work. This precludes me from accessing the Internet or my network thus keeping me from being able to fully partake of Linux on my laptop.
I don't want to give up my Windows XP Pro setup as I am a graphics and video designer and I am very happy with the software I am currently using for my work, but I do want to learn more Linux and make use of it as much as I can.
What can I do to fix this problem?
Please note that I am very new at Linux so I ask that you please respond with simple, clear instructions. I learn quick, but I am just starting out at this.No one even knows what I'm talking about, eh?Truth be told,
those Linksys WPC11 cards a touch-and-go with linux. Depending on the version of the firmware inside your card your experience could range from just "plug-n-go", to loading special drivers, to out-of-luck.
You might be able to get the card to work in Linux using the MS Windows driver files and a program called ndiswrapper.
Try using the "Search" button at the top of this page and search for either "WPC11" or "ndiswrapper" and search ALL FORUMs FROM THE BEGINNING or NEWER.
Hope this helps.You know, I am getting pretty fed up with the whole Linux and open-source thing already. I have yet to find any distro of Linux that will work right with all of my hardware all at once without a ton of fixes and reverse engineering.
This is not to mention that none of the apps that I want to use are available on Linux without a bunch of emulation and other bloatware. The native Linux stuff that looks interesting has buglists a mile long and often hasn't been updated in a year or more.
And this whole attitude of "some stuff works, some stuff don't" is just plain BS. I want to sit at my computer and do my work, not sit and work at trying to get my computer to be useable.
It makes me want to just go out and send a nice thank you note to Bill Gates.
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It makes me want to just go out and send a nice thank you note to Bill Gates.
along with many hundreds of dollars of your cash..
and another several hundred of your dollars to vendors who create bloatware that require numerous patches, registration, EULA's , piggyback other programs, yearly upgrade fees, etc..
and several hundred more to other vendors that create other softwares that patch holes, stop macros, remove viruses, firewall your network, and also require frequent updates to fix bugs and broken functions..
If your truly into graphics/video production on Windows boxes, your very familiar with the Matrox's, Adobe's, Pinnacle's, Scenarist's, Macromedia's, Sonic's forever patching and updating their softwares to fix even the lamest of production challenges..
If your serious about Graphic design and Video/DVD production, get a mac. You'll pay even more bucks for hardware and software, but you'll get the job done ..
If you need to check your mail, browse the web, manage your servers securely, create business and professional documents, and communicate virus-free with the computing community at large, linux offers a wealth of advantages and a world of possibilities, without the need to empty your wallet or share your valuable personal information with any jr. high school script kiddie..
And I use a WPC11 wireless card without any difficulties in DSL .. Would you like some help?