Kernel version 2.3

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Kernel version 2.3
started by: warbucks

Posted by warbucks on April 10 2006,16:21

Hello all,

recently did a HD install of "2.3?", uname -r returns kernel 2.4.26, just downloaded and tried to install madwifi.dsl, error returned is that I need kernel V 2.4.31??.......

has 2.3rc1 or 2.3rc2 upgraded the kernel?, or I am sleepy and am actually running DSL 2.2??.......or is there a slightly older version of madwifi.dsl?.........a little confused here

TIA

Will

Posted by doobit on April 10 2006,17:02

DSL-2.3 has a kernel 2.4.26 which has older madwifi drivers already compiled into it. DSL-2.0 and 2.1B had the 2.4.31 for which the madwifi.dsl package was made. The DSL team decided, after DSL-2.1b, to go back to the 2.4.26 kernel because there is actually more hardware support with that kernel.
To use the precompiled madwifi, you just need to verify that it loaded up when you booted (run lsmod in a teminal) and then open the iwconfig dialog that's in the myDSL panel. Change wlan0 to ath0, put in your channel and network name. I would advise running an open network at first until you make the connection and then experiment with WEP and WAP.

Posted by warbucks on April 10 2006,17:28

Hello,

txs for the reply, modprobe "madwifi" returns cannot locate module?

lsmod does not show madwifi

running as root.......

Will

so if 2.3 / kernel 2.4.26 has a builtin madwifi I do not know how to start it if the command modprobe madwifi is wrong?

Posted by doobit on April 10 2006,17:35

If your hardware is recognized at boot, then the madwifi modules will load at boot. It's possible that your hardware is newer than the modules in the kernel, in which case you may be better off using DSL-2.1b with the madwifi.dsl package. Otherwise, the madwifi modules are found pretty deep in the kernel modules directory. I don't remember the path, but you can probably find it. It's something like /modules/net/2.4.26/madwifi. I think the module you want to probe is ath_pci.o

Posted by warbucks on April 10 2006,19:12

Txs again

modprobe ath_pci results in: "as root"

Warning: loading /lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o will taint the kernel..........
some more failed

insmod ath_pci failed

if this is the bultin why all the failures.?

Will

Posted by warbucks on April 10 2006,19:15

lspci shows the ATheros Com Inc, but it is not recognised........

Will

so it is not "loading" at boot

perhaps I will drop back 1 version and try the madfifi.dsl, this is getting to be a little pain in the butt to get this working

Posted by doobit on April 10 2006,19:33

so you did:
sudo su
modprobe ath_pci.o

Right?

There will be some errors since not all hardware supports all of the madwifi functions. My particular
PCMCIA card (At&T 6700G) works well on either set of madwifi drivers, but has more available functions on the newer ones, so I use DSL-2.1b with the madwifi.dsl package for that. There are instructions for using them here on the forum.
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....t=10389 >

Posted by doobit on April 11 2006,01:00

Quote (warbucks @ April 10 2006,15:12)

Txs again

modprobe ath_pci results in: "as root"

Warning: loading /lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o will taint the kernel..........
some more failed

insmod ath_pci failed

if this is the bultin why all the failures.?

Will

Because you need to do it as root. Type sudo su first.

Posted by warbucks on April 11 2006,14:32

Sorry,

thats was "as root", I logged in as root before doing any of the above.

Too many errors on the results of the lspci regarding ATheros, tainted kernel, 5 or 6 more errors,so I think I will drop back a version and see what happens.

Will

Posted by doobit on April 11 2006,14:53

It will always be "tainted Kernel" because it's not a GNU licensed package, but that's no problem.