Centrino and Knoppix 3.4 05-17-04

[level]

I had no problem using centrino wireless with Knoppix 3.4 05-04-04, but with the 05-17-04 version I can't get it to work at all. I'm not even able to load the driver with modprobe. I've checked both md5 sums; has anyone else experienced this problem?

[j.drake]

If you're talking about the 2.6.6 kernel, YES.

http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtop...?p=51055#51055

One of the reasons is that modprobe is looking for the drivers in the wrong location. In my case, modprobe is looking for prism2_cs.o in /lib/modules/2.6.6/pcmcia/, when it's located in /lib/modules/2.4.26/pcmcia/.
Try booting the 2.4.26 default kernel, and I bet it will find your driver. In my case, I still have a configuration problem that keeps it from working in 2.4.26, and besides, my touchpad mouse doesn't work in 2.4.26. So until I can boost a USB mouse or fix the touchpad, I'm kind of at a loss for what to do.

External sources are of no real help, because the problem is that Knoppix 3.4 has two different kernels in two different locations, but as far as I can tell, neither of them are standard.

Note that I posted this as a possible bug in the bugs tab (#4) for this release.

Please let me know if you find a way around it. I've posted for about a week now, and haven't gotten any replies.

[level]

No, my problem is with the 2.4.26 kernel.

Just tried the 2.6 kernel but it locks up my system.

[RMSe17]

try using expert26 boot option, and select no to SCSI detection, that bypassed the system crash for me, and since my kaptop has no SCSI, I dont lose anything.

[Rick]

In the lastest Knoppix CD version (3.4-2004-05-17), it appears the Centrino driver (ipw2100) doesn't work at all. This is per the Bug List item #3 (accessible via the Bugs menu above).

I can confirm both kernels (2.4.26 and 2.6) don't work with the Centrino wireless in my IBM Thinkpad T40. It looks like the previous 2004-05-10 release may work. I'm downloading it now.

The release notes indicate the ipw2100 driver functionality was removed from the 2.6 kernel due to build problems. So that kernel is definitely a no go.

After booting the 2.4.26 kernel, I ran 'dmesg | grep 2100' and found the firmware load of 'ipw2100-1.1.fw' appeared to be failing. It was looking for version 1.1, but only version 1.0 exists in '/usr/lib/hotplug/firmware/'. It appears the driver was updated, but the corresponding firmware was not included in this release. Another no-go!

For those with hard disk installs, the latest 2100 firmware is here:
http://ipw2100.sourceforge.net/firmware.php
The INSTALL notes may also help, but are not specific to Knoppix:
http://ipw2100.sourceforge.net/INSTALL (search for FIRMWARE).

UPDATE:
The 5-10-2004 version of Knoppix 3.4 does work with at least my Centrino Wireless setup (IBM Thinkpad T40 built-in Intel PRO 2100). If you need Centrino (Intel 2100) support, you should use this version, NOT the 5-17-2004 version. Just boot from the CD, run Knoppix / Network/Internet / waveLAN Configuration, open the web browser and you're on-line (without WEP for now)!

[aay]

You may also want to try the newest Kanotix.

This version gives you some extra options as indicated by this information in the changelog:

Many new WLAN drivers including ACX100 (PCMCIA), Centrino, and Ndiswrapper to use Windows drivers.