/etc/modules.conf on thinkpad a21m
Forum: Networking
Topic: /etc/modules.conf on thinkpad a21m
started by: linuxlizard
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,03:38
Hello all,I got my new/old laptop yesterday. It's an IBM thinkpad a21m with p3 700, 192 MB Ram and 3Com Mini PCI Ethernet on it. Everything I want seems to be working fine on it (don't care about the winmodem or wireless because I have non-wireless cablemodem) except for the ethernet.
I knew I was getting this laptop and it is the reason I became interested in DSL a couple weeks ago, though I've got to say, DSL rocks on my more up to speed desktop where I've been learning how to use DSL before I got the laptop.
Anyway, I need to get my cable modem working on this thing.
Before I proceed with explanation and question, be advised that although I've been using linux for a few years now, before DSL I used distros that automagically configured all my stuff. So, when it comes to networking and the current problem, I really only have a foggy notion of how everything is supposed to work. I've tried to fix that, but haven't found anything that explains things from square one for ignoramouses like myself, so am very grateful for any and all help getting this laptop online.
Here's what I know-
When DSL is booting, it says it sees an ethernet device or some such and then it says (backgrounding). Once I'm in fluxbox, I none of the net applications like firefox can connect.
I saw previous poster issued some commands for info, so I did the same and this is the output-
lspci -v
0000.00.03.0 Ethernet controller: 3Com Corporation 3c556B CardBus [Tornado] (rev 20)
Subsystem: 3Com Corporation: Unknown device 6356
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 80, IRQ 11
I/O ports at 1800 [size=256]
Memory at f4101400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128]
Memory at f4101000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128]
Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled] [size=128k]
Capabilities: <available only to root>
***side note***
I just noticed that every item that came up from that command had an IRQ of 11. That's probably not right? In my bios I noticed earlier that 4 or 5 things were all set to IRQ 11 so I changed to autoconfigure... hmmm...
modprobe ath_pci
/lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o: create_module: Operation not permitted
/lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o: insmod lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26/net/ath_hal.o: insmod ath_pci failed
*********
I have no idea what the first command does and only a vague idea about the second. That's the level I'm on. But I saw these in another post and hope the info might help someone help me.
Here's another probably big clue. I searched about this ethernet device on the net. I found a number of pages talking about how it is or isn't a problem.
This page is probably the most helpful:
< http://www.geocities.jp/fred_b_maciel/3c556/ethernet.html >
Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to follow the advice on the page because of the way dsl works. I'm working from a flash memory stick, but after I fix this I will install to the hard drive frugal so I can take advantage of the speed of everything being in RAM. I guess because of this, even as SU (beaver) I cannot write the line "alias eth0 3c59x" to my /etc/modules.conf , the easiest solution offered on that page. Because DSL won't let me (and warns against it anyway even if I could.
modules.conf told me to read the man page and look at some other files in the modules? I think, directory. I looked at the other files and couldn't write to any of those either, even if I knew which one to stick the command in, which I don't. And I couldn't get the man page to come up because I don't have a net connection and it isn't on there by default (which makes sense in DSL). I'm writing this from ubuntu on my other computer.
Will anyone give me a helping hand? I purchased the dsl book hoping for answers to stuff like the file permissions (some I see are read only and can't be changed even by su I guess?) and making my own mydsl packages and neither topic I bought the book for is covered inside! Ack! Bad luck. Still looks good though. have gone over the networking chapter trying to understand it a few times already, and has helped some.
Thank you.
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,03:41
Oh, I guess I should note that I'm trying to connect the laptop directly to a cable modem by connecting my wire to the ethernet port on one end and the modem on the other. Also, am curious, my cable modem comes with a usb port that I tried connecting directly to my laptop as well with similar or the same results of not being connected to the net. Is that another option in linux or a windows only kind of thing. And if it is an option, does DSL see that exactly the same as the ethernet card?Thank you again
Posted by roberts on Mar. 25 2006,06:19
Not sure why you chose ath_pci module.The website that you referenced shows 3c59x.o as the module that should work.
DSL has this module.Try
modprobe 3c59x.o
then try netcardconfig
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,16:55
---Not sure why you chose ath_pci module.Take it as a measure of how lost I am.
modprobe 3c59x.o
modprobe: Can't locate module 3c59x.o
on the other hand it didn't complain (or give any output at all) when I modprobe 3c59x without the .o
netcardconfig
yes to dhcp broadcast
Sending DHCP broadcast from device eth0
Operation failed.
Failed.
From the page:
If your kernel supports your adapter but it does not work, probably the installation program did not recognize and configure the adapter. So add the line "alias eth0 3c59x" to your /etc/conf.modules or /etc/modules.conf (whichever your distribution uses).
******
unfortunately that file is hands off in DSL. Is there another file I can modify or a way for me to add that line to that file somehow? Or just some other way since modprobe appears to have failed me?
Thank you much for your time and help with this.
Posted by roberts on Mar. 25 2006,17:06
After you modprobe 3c59x what does ifconfig display?Do you see any network device?
To gain write access to /etc/modules.conf do this:
# /etc/init.d/mkwriteable
# rm /etc/modules.conf
# cp /KNOPPIX/etc/modules.conf /etc/modules.conf
Then you can edit /etc/modules.conf
You would then need to add /etc/modules.conf to your backup .filetool.lst
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,17:10
modprobe 3c59xipconfig
bash: ipconfig: command not found
thank you
Posted by roberts on Mar. 25 2006,17:13
Opps, I can't belive I type ipconfig.I meant ifconfig
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,17:33
modprobe 3c59xifconfig
lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:2 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelan:0
RX bytes:100 (100.0 B) TX bytes:100 (100.0 B)
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 25 2006,18:16
hmmm...OK, I tried adding
alias eth0 3c59x to modules.conf
after following your instructions to make the file writeable/backupable
wasn't sure where to put the line so I put it at the end.
No luck with firefox, so I rebooted, thinking maybe it had to take effect on startup.
Came back fine- line still in the file.
But, still not connecting.
when I modprobe 3c59x now I also get the message:
Note: /etc/modules.conf is more recent than /lib/modules/2.4.26/modules.dep
So maybe I need to do something with that file?
or maybe I need to move my alias eth0 3c59x to another place in my modules.conf file?
or maybe there is a better way to make the necessary changes?
Thank you
Posted by roberts on Mar. 25 2006,19:42
A few more things to try..1. Make sure that plug-n-play setting in BIOS is turned off.
Many times this causes irq conflicts.
After doing that, try the modprobe and then the ifconfig to see if a device is there or netcardconfig.
If still no go, then, maybe you will need to specify the address and irq for this device.
For example:
modprobe 3c59x io=0x300 irq=8
Posted by cbagger01 on Mar. 26 2006,05:25
According to this thread:< http://lists.debian.org/debian-knoppix/2004/05/msg00128.html >
you should boot DSL with this command:
dsl acpi=off
and your network card will be autodetected and work fine.
Posted by linuxlizard on Mar. 30 2006,01:40
Thank you for all the time taken helping me with this problem. Nothing worked.But then I pressed f12 for a boot option menu when I started the laptop up. Options were things like boot from cd and one was network boot. I tried it and amazingly it seems to have enabled the ethernet card for good. I now normal boot and ethernet works with dsl out of the box. So I guess it was turned off before I did that or something. Anyway, all the time taken to help me is much appreciated.
Thank you kindly:)