The H/EL80 and non-intel MINI-PCIe wireless cards

Hi,

Like the topic of the thread says, is that possible?

I got a Gigabyte Ralink based minipci-e wifi card. It doesn't work, i can't even see it in device manager.

I'm about to get another Gigabyte, Atheros based this time minipcie card. Is it worth the hassle, or will I end up with another useless piece of equipment once more?

Cheers,

//m.

 

There was a thread made by someone on this issue... they bought a Compal barebone and wanted to know if they could put an atheros minipci in. If I remember correctly, someone said that you could. I'll try to find the thread.

Edit: Found it. Link
Heres some other threads on this too: Link 1 Link 2

 

Ta lad! Close thread

 

I recently purchased the recommended Atheros-based Gigabyte card (GN-WI01GT) and installed it. I had to remove it the next day due to constant
BSODs referencing AR5211.sys (the driver for Atheros cards).

This is on Windows XP Pro.

I tried the driver on the CD and the latest drivers off Gigabyte's website, but no go. Googled the issue and found only that several other people have the same driver issue with certain Atheros-based cards (my previous Atheros based mini-pci card never gave me trouble with my other laptop...).

I guess first I want to say anyone thinking about buying this card beware!

And second, what is the consensus on this driver issue? does anybody know a fix or is everybody else having the same trouble? Report back please!

As an aside, I was using the Atheros based connection utility as recommended in other threads, but it didn't help at all.

 

I am using the exact same wireless card, driver is from Atheros 4.2.2.4, and have had no issues at all, until shortly after I read this post, LOL. Well time to get a USB stick for wireless. If they have not updated the driver since 2005 I would not plan on them doing it anytime soon. Hopefully they will prove me wrong but with my luck I doubt it.

 

well mine works flawless, apart from having no wifi leds lit on the laptops front. but that's a bios issue i guess.... (?)

regards.

 

What OS version and driver are you using?

Do you use Wireless Zero Config to connect or the Atheros utility?

 

I use NetworkManager with the knetworkmanager frontend for KDE to connect. I'm using madwifi-ng drivers on Linux 2.6.21.

 

Dude, this is a Windows driver issue. You're not running Windows, so you're sort of exempt from the test group, don't you think?

 

Dude, I started this thread and it never said anything about a windows driver issue in it in the first place, so I reckon you're the misfortuned one who does offtopic conversations.

Also, my post merely proved that hardware-wise, the composition of atheros+EL/HEL80 is possible with good results -> hence, look for troubles elsewhere (hint: window$? )

Besides, you asked a question, and I kindly replied to it, I see nothing wrong with that - that's what forums are for after all, give or take a little.

Regards,

//m.

 

This thread is titled "The H/EL80 and non-intel MINI-PCIe wireless cards." My issue is not off-topic. I posted here because opening a new thread is retarded. There should only be a single thread to come to for related information rather than multiple threads. It reduces the work required to search for relevant information.

I have used several Atheros based cards under Windows and FreeBSD, on a variety of hardware including an embedded PC. I did not claim it is a hardware compatibility issue, I asked for people to report back their experiences with the Windows driver and share if somebody knows about a fix or not.

This card has had problems on other hardware platforms running Windows. I said straight up that it's a driver issue. Thanks for suggesting that we "look for troubles elsewhere (hint: window$?)" but right from the onset that's where I have been placing the blame.

Perhaps the point you really want to make is Linux >> Windows. If that's the case then thanks--duly noted. Unfortunately that doesn't help anybody who chooses to use this Gigabyte card with Windows.

Again, this thread's topic is "The H/EL80 and non-intel MINI-PCIe wireless cards" and I think what I'm talking about is right on topic. Your post is relevant too, but seems a little bit misleading because you said "this card works great for me" instead of "This card works great for me _under linux_."
It's a matter of _context_.

Under Windows, the Gigabyte card recommended in other threads suffers from driver issues which result in BSODs. I've searched the issue and found it's not just me. I'd be really interested if anybody has solved this problem, or used this card under Windows without any trouble (as it implies a solution). Finally a show of hands for those who also get BSODs couldn't hurt either.

imachine, thanks for the confirmation that the madwifi-ng drivers work great and the Windows drivers are pooh-pooh. ^_^

 

Aye, indeed you may be correct, as to a somewhat misleading title I chose for this thread - my issue was a hardware issue from starts, and that's how I started this thread as. I was merely looking for info wether even the card was supported hardware wise as for example my rt71 ralink based gigabyte minipci-e card didn't work at all. I don't mind you posting in this thread as long as standards are met and things are kept logical. So far, so good.

Nay, not really no. I'm not some "OS nazi", I find both Net/FreeBSD and GNU/Linux+someuserland usable OS choices. I don't use window$ but it's a matter of choice which I have no intention of pressing on anyone.

It's also a matter of looking into signatures sometimes and reading posts placed before in a thread Although I suppose it's not very clear for everyone, still the signature of mine sums pretty much up what OS I use. Also, you asked me what OS I use, so I kindly replied. I do admit I grinned slightly doing so, but no irony was intended.

Is there no other driver than official atheros chipset drivers from uh, Atheros probably? I'm wondering since maybe there is some other driver choice or perrhaphs window$ itself has some built in stuff? It really was a while since I used it last time for personal use (about 6 years) but last time I checked, it had some built in drivers too...

Maybe something alongside project evil ? Dunno I guess I am hardly the person to ask on this subject.

No bothers lad. Good luck as well.

Cheers,

//m.