New Linux/Ubuntu user: Problems with INTEL PRO/Wireless 3945ABG

[gizbug]

Just installed linux for the first time. Have a dual boot with windows xp on my ASUS V6J laptop. I do not have the network working in ubuntu. How can I get my wireless network working, the card is listed in the topic?

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by gizbug

Just installed linux for the first time. Have a dual boot with windows xp on my ASUS V6J laptop. I do not have the network working in ubuntu. How can I get my wireless network working, the card is listed in the topic?

If Ubuntu doesnt recognize it initially, then that means support for it isnt included in the standard kernel.

That means you would have to compile in the particular module into the kernel (not sure about your abilities since your new) or check if you can use the ndiswrapper software with your windows driver.

Best thing is to check the ubuntu forums for similar issues, as there might Ubuntu specific solutions.

[darktiger]

http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net/

[gizbug]

Thanks, seems complex

[TedJ]

Originally Posted by gizbug

Thanks, seems complex

Unfortunately, getting all your hardware working on the latest laptops can be fiddly... at least until the drivers are rolled into the various distros next release.

Perhaps someone in the Ubuntu community has packaged the ipw3945 driver already?

[prasys]

you could get ndiswrapper to work with . it would use windows drivers instead

[darktiger]

What version of Ubuntu are you using? 5 or 6? 6 is just coming out or will be coming out very soon...

[CalebSchmerge]

Is there much speculation (or knowledge I suppose, I don't think they would keep this a secret) on what all will be added to the new Ubuntu 6? I plan to try it, my two big things are getting wireless and sound to work on my V6j. Does anyone know?

[dthurston]

Wireless is unlikely to work without recompilation in the upcoming version of Ubuntu. The driver for the new Intel chip uses a binary, closed-source user-space daemon, and it will not be merged into the standard kernel in that state. I think Ubuntu will follow that policy, as well. But it's really not so hard to compile the kernel, and there are plenty of other benefits.
Sound might be a different story, and might not be a kernel problem at all. It also might be better in the newer release.

[gizbug]

I noticed after installing beta 2 of 6.06 dapper, that the wired network no longer works on my v6j. Am I incorrect in assuming that the network card should automatically be configured during install, so when I first run it, my wired network should work?