topic title: Some wireless info
Posts: 1,520
eriefisher
Joined: 07 Oct 2007
#1
When I was running Kubuntu I used a Netgear WG111v2 wireless usb adapter. I started to look for a replacement for Kubuntu and checked out Mepis pre7, Sabayon as well as others. Support for this adapter was sporatic and beause of some other reasons I wired the box.

I just plugged it into my AntiX box and went to the network tools and it started right up under dhcp. The adapter uses the rtl8187 driver.

I just wanted to post this for anyone looking for an adapter to use and how it worked. If I remember right I paid about $20 for this adapter as compared to $50-60 for other choices. Just FYI.

eriefisher
Posts: 253
mariel77
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
#2
Thanks for posting this, eriefisher; I've been looking at these, but didn't know if they would work with antiX.
anticapitalista
Posts: 5,955
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
#3
Thanks from me too eriefisher

BTW I moved the post to hardware section. It's probably best put in there.
Posts: 1,520
eriefisher
Joined: 07 Oct 2007
#4
anticapitalista wrote:Thanks from me too eriefisher

BTW I moved the post to hardware section. It's probably best put in there.
Thanks Anti, I didn't realize i put it in the wrong spot. I have heard that there are 2 versions of the v2 and the other will not work natively. I will try to find the info again.

eriefisher
Posts: 253
dieselbenz
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
#5
eriefisher wrote:I have heard that there are 2 versions of the v2 and the other will not work natively. I will try to find the info again.

eriefisher
Not sure about the one you have, but the Netgear WG 511 v2 (PCMCIA card) comes with two possible chipsets. The one made in China is not Linux friendly but the other one (non-China) is Linux friendly.

The China-chip ones like mine do work with Linux using NDISWrapper, however.
Posts: 1,520
eriefisher
Joined: 07 Oct 2007
#6
I think the other is the Broadcom chip which is flakey at best. I'll try to find it.

eriefisher
Posts: 2
sciencegeek
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
#7
I have also had good luck using Realtek 8187 based wireless dongles and AntiX M7. The configuration process was a bit obscure, but if you play with Admin/Tools-Mepis Admin-Network, and select manual configuration on the General Tab, disable win drivers, and set other items appropriately, you should be able to re/start and see the completion of the configuration in the pop-up terminal window as"done". Then you can start the network and surf using IceWeasel, Dillo, etc... I did all this from the LiveCD. Later I will try to install to a 1GB flash drive for a portable system and retest.

I write that the configuration was a bit obscure, as it required a trial and error approach to which tabs of the network configuration window should be filled in first. Keep trying and it should work, (maybe starting right to left is better.) On the other hand, I didn't have to supply any info about the interface hardware. AntiX checked first on eth0 and then looked on wlan0 and then configured the interface.

I was able to use DHCP for DNS, and enter SSID and WPA fields as needed without trouble. The USB adapters I used were Encore ENUWI-G2 and Airlink AWLL3028. These are cheap and available. (I paid $5USD to $14USDfor mine.) These also seem to work well with other distros and ndiswrapper, so maybe they are worth a shot.

happy surfing and thanks anti

SG
Posts: 2
sciencegeek
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
#8
I did write that the configuration process was a bit obscure, but I should have noticed something before my last posting. My rtl8187 USB adapter was cool to the touch, so AntiX must have connected using my internal PCI card, a Zyxel G302 v2 with Realtek 8185 chipset. I didn't see any LED indication that the 8187 device was connected, but the LEDs don't work the same with Linux and with WinXP in my experience. Sure enough, I unplugged the USB dongle and I'm still connected now.

Automatic configuration of a notoriously uncooperative rtl8185 is a pretty cool. Now I'll have to reconfirm the rtl8187 connection later, but I'm pretty sure I was connected using it last night and it was quite warm as usual for these devices.

sorry for confusing things, but happy to be using my Zyxel card with AntiX

SG
anticapitalista
Posts: 5,955
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
#9
Glad it works sciencegeek and welcome to antiX.
Posts: 1
JoW
Joined: 16 Dec 2008
#10
I struggled with my wireless connection and had no help from my provider.. i ended up getting Mobile Internet and found it so much easier. With a USB Dongle that connects straight to your computer, it's much easier. You can even get free laptops with some offers.


Have you tried Mobile Internet
Posts: 3
10cc
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
#11
Yes I have tried mobile broadband
and it does provide an excellent connection.
anticapitalista
Posts: 5,955
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Sep 2007
#12
10cc banned for spamming