Debian: Howto install Wireless network card (Atheros) Conceptronic etc

[richs-lxh]

It seems a few "New-To-Linux" users have had a few problems trying to get cheaper wireless network cards working in Debian.

Which card am I using?
This guide is based on a Conceptronic C54i wireless network card with an Atheros AR5212* 802.11abg chipset. (*Very common)

It is up and running thanks to the MadWifi drivers which are in the Debian repos.

Check out which cards use Atheros:
http://customerproducts.atheros.com/customerproducts/ResultsPageBasic.asp
http://www.atheros.com/partners/partnering.html

Ok, prerequisites:
1. Sorry, but you need to have a wired internet connection up and running as we are going to install some stuff from the repos via apt.

2. Make sure you have the latest kernel and headers, and that your system is up-to-date.

Ok, let's go

Open up your terminal and type:

Code:

sudo apt-get update

then

Code:

sudo apt-get upgrade

Now let's get everything installed that we will need:

You need to make sure you have the "contrib non-free" repo enabled on your sources list, so.....

Code:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

When it opens, scroll down to the bottom and copy and paste this to it:-

deb http://ftp://ftp.es.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free
deb-src http://ftp://ftp.es.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free

I have got es on mine to use the Spanish repo, just put uk or us etc for wherever is closest to you (see here for more "top right")

Then to save it: Ctrl+x, a Y for yes and Enter to close.

Code:

sudo apt-get update

Change to root:

Code:

su
password

And get installin'
Linux Header files
In the terminal type "uname -r" to see your current kernel
If you have an up to date standard Etch instal it will be 2.6.18-5, or 2.6.18-4 if you haven't upgraded the kernel. Any way see what you've got and add it to the install list below. This is the same for Lenny, Sid etc.

You can add your preffered wireless connection manager (kwifimanager, wicd, nm-applet, netapplet)

Code:

apt-get install linux-headers-2.6.18-5 module-assistant build-essential madwifi-source madwifi-tools wireless-tools

Just let apt do it's it thing and get everything installed, then we go for the config:

Code:

m-a prepare

Code:

m-a a-i madwifi

Code:

modprobe ath_pci

Most up-to-date systems will load this module automatically at boot time via the hotplug mechanism, if not you can make sure it is loaded by adding it to the /etc/modules list:-

Code:

echo ath_pci >> /etc/modules

Ok, all installed and found (should be anyway). At this stage I unplug my network cable and reboot.

Once you have logged in, go to Desktop > Administration > Networking and disable your eth0 (Wired Nic) and enable the ath0 (Wifi Nic) and configure it with your usual settings, either DHCP or static, the same as you would for your wired Nic to the router.

Once that is done, open up your network/wifi manager, find your router essid and choose connect, I have 128bit WEP enabled and login with a 13 character password.

Now you should be up and running with your new wireless connection. If for some reason yours doesn't work, post here and we'll try to get you up and running.

[machiner]

rockin'