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OpenSuse 10.3: Fixing the wireless connection

Blog Note: If your going to use openSuse, be prepared to have the install disk, and an external drive available. For some reason, the system may ask for it when installing software. This tutorial is also making the assumption you have a wired network connection available.

First thing you’ll need is repositories. Here is the official list for OpenSuse:
http://en.opensuse.org/Package_Repositories#Official_Repositories
Pick up the main OSS and update repository. You can also find Gnome and KDE specific repositories listed as well.

Ok, back to the wireless. Reason why it does not work properly is the version of the Ndiswrapper. You’ll need the latest and greatest. Grab it here:
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=93482

You will also need the windows driver for the device, found here:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp34001-34500/sp34152.exe

If you haven’t figured it out, you’ll need to build your own Ndiswrapper. Right click on your desktop and choose “open terminal”. Switch to the user by entering “sudo -s” and entering your root password. You’ll need the build essentials for openSuse. Using the “zypper” command install the essentials with “zypper install gcc make automake autoconf kernel-source”.

Remove your current Ndiswrapper and driver. Check the loaded drivers by, “ndiswrapper -l”. Use “ndiswrapper -r ” to remove all drivers listed. Remove ndiswrapper using “modprobe -r ndiswrapper” and “yast –remove ndiswrapper”.

Reboot

If you haven’t done so. Double click on your download current version of ndiswrapper and extract the files. In the terminal, change the directory to the extracted folder. If the folder is on your desktop. Enter “cd Desktop” and cd “ndiswrapper “. Enter the following to build your new ndiswrapper:

make uninstall
make
make install

Extract your driver. You’ll need cabextract for this. In the terminal enter “yast -i cabextract”. After the program installs, make sure your in the folder with the .exe driver file and enter “cabextract sp34152.exe”.

Now install the driver with “ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf”

Double check the driver installed properly with “ndiswrapper -l”. The driver name and device should be list as ok. Enter “modprobe ndiswrapper” and “ndiswrapper -m” to finish with ndiswrapper.

You’ll need to blacklist the “bcm43xx” driver to prevent that from being used by network management. Open a text program or “yast -i nano”. Open and edit /etc/modprobe.conf.local. Add “blacklist bcm43xx” and save the file.

Now open the Yast control center, network cards, and edit your wireless device. (You can also click on Computer, Network Status, and Configure Networking). Under the hardware tab, enter “ndiswrapper” as the Module name.

Blog note: For WPA, I was only able to get AES working. TKIP doesn’t work. When configuring WPA, never use auto, Always use AES. For some reason, auto… well is not auto.

reboot

Make sure you wireless device is on. Blue light = on, Red light = off.

Happy networking!

(I must apologize, I ran through this kind of quick. I will edit the how-to when I get a chance and make it more newbie compliant/readable.)

The hell HP gives…

HP, this is a respectable company right. Been around since computers were mainstream. If you buy a HP product you would think your getting a well made product that just works.

Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop. Not open source or under development but, again mainstream product. For those not tuned in on linux, Suse is another organization thats been there when linux entered geek mainstream.

So why the hell did this not work? I might be a little harsh here but let me review.

I received the product, hyped as ever. Turned it on, loved the Suse desktop, very beautiful. Went through the bells and whistles of first startup configuration. Actually enjoyed a few hours playing with the notebook. The wireless hooked up fine on my neighbors open wireless network. Browsing was smooth. Sound worked fine. Video ran pretty well. I was happy. Then…

I tried connecting to my WPA protected network… and couldn’t. I spent a couple of days going through manual setups, changing between the WPA Algorithms. Re-configuring the card. I tried installing software to help, only to be asked for a “Disk 1″ that HP does not include with the product. The support page had a linux .iso download, which turned out to be an archive of linux .rpms they had used for their Suse version, and not the recovery disk, nor the “Disk 1″ you need to install new software. Then somehow the card configuration disappeared and a reboot halted with an error.

Ok… step back. On boot hp gives you “F11 - restore”. That turned out to be a joke someone at HP included with the product. Seems to only work for Vista installs. Now I have a $550 paper weight and no external USB CD Drive.

Shopping and downloading time, I went out and bought a external mini CD/DVD drive, and downloaded ten… YES TEN, linux distros. Why not windows you say? Again, I hate windows. Mac fan at heart (Macs just WORK!). Only reason why I bought this HP is, the size and it resembled a mini macbook.

Needless to say. There are currently only two linux distros working on getting a fully functional OS working on this mini-note. Ubuntu (Minbuntu) and Gentoo. Minbuntu is further along on the process and may be the best bet.

• Memphis Linux - I couldn’t get booted
• Puppy Linux - doesn’t recognize the serial hard drive to install
• PCLinux - doesn’t recognize the serial hard drive to install
• Zenwalk - didn’t like the OS
• Mandriva - wouldn’t boot to install
• Minbuntu/Ubuntu/OpenGEU - (install only) bootup would freeze (half the time)
• Live CD OpenSuse - wouldn’t install

I finally ended up with the OpenSuse 10.3 install disk (not the Live CD). OpenSuse had no problems installing and booted smoothly through to the desktop. Only problems:

• Lost my bootsplash
• Wireless still didn’t work
• Headphone jack was not recognized

There were some other minor problems, but these were easily fixed and I will share how I fixed them on my upcoming entries.

HP Mini-Note

Product specifications
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
VIA C7-M ULV processor (1.2 GHz, 128 KB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
120 GB 5400 rpm SATA
8.9-inch diagonal WXGA
VIA Chrome 9
VGA camera
ADI1984HD High Definition CODEC; 24-bit DAC; Integrated stereo speakers; Stereo headphone/line out;
2 USB 2.0
1 microphone in
1 headphone/line-out
1 external VGA monitor
1 RJ-45
1 Express Card/54
1 secure digital
10/100/1000 NIC
Broadcom 802.11a/b/g

Weight
2.8 lb (1.27 kg)

Dimensions (w x d x h)
10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 in (255 x 165 x 27 mm)

Battery
3-cell (28 WHr) high capacity Lithium-Ion

Power supply
External 65-watt Smart AC adapter, 6-foot (1.8-meter) power cord included. Total length including external
AC adapter is 12 feet (3.66 meter). HP Fast Charge Technology.
Password; Kensington Lock Slot

This one’s a bad boy. I thought it, a beautiful piece of computing machinery. Great for blogging and basic work. Basic meaning, this is not for the hard work of gaming or graphical design. Blogging, word docs, and internet surfing though… yes!

I have to admit I was tempted by the lower priced Asus EEE PC. But 7inch screen, NO ways, and if I’m going to cough up $500+ for a 9 inch umpc, it has to have harddrive space worth buying. I don’t know what the hell I’m going to put on a 120 gig harddrive that will only be used for blogging, but at least its there.

As soon as I saw this advertised at HP, I drooled, I thought, I dreamt, I argued with myself, irritated my co-workers with my bickering daily, and finally one week later, I bought. I did not buy the Vista version, I hate windows. Windows is for work, not for fun. Fun, no… I’d buy a Mac for fun, so I can work better (Not much games on a Mac - But Mac’s are for fun right???) Instead I got good old Suse linux. I figured if HP was selling it and Asus did such a good job with their Xandros Linux, it would run well and I’d be set. So I bought and waited…. and waited… You see, the damn thing was a pre-order with an estimated delivery date of 2 weeks. and waited… and waited… two more weeks, or one more month later I was finally…. Happy???

No… not by a long shot. Looks like I have some fixing.

1. Part 2 - The hell HP gives
2. Part 3 - OpenSuse 10.3 fixing the wireless
3. Part 4 - OpenSuse 10.3 fixing the sound and CPU scaling
4. Part 5 - OpenSuse 10.3 fixing the bootsplash image

Sound ridiculus? Ok, I’ll give you that. But the things you can do with a banana suit. Like scare the crap out of walking bystanders! As you stand still, statue like, waiting patiently… they slowly walk in front of you… unexpectantly into the doom that you will bring

Don’t think so? Just watch what a banana is capable of…

Oh come on, their elegant, fun, fast, gas guzzling, and appeals to my stud side (opposed to my geeky side). Besides, what woman wouldn’t want to get in one of these with me… (ok or with you, but this is my wish list- so me)

The Audi R8… I like the look its has, strangely out of shape, but futuristic… Anyways watch this video where two blokes test them both out.

Ok, ok… Its fake. I’ll leave it to you to comment on why. But I can guarantee to you laughed when you first watched it.

An Electronic Spirograph on Steroids…

Didn’t you always want to be the exciting guy at the party? Err, not that kind of party. The other kind. You know, you were a 16th level Halfling Paladin but no matter how the dice rolled, it seemed like your DM always slightly favored Bob the dwarf mage. Why? Because Bob was a dwarf mage and because Bob brought the cheetos. Screw Bob. You have a Pocket Laser Light Show now. Whenever you are feeling down and out, just break it out, point it to the nearest cavern wall, turn it on, and stare in awe as you deftly control the opposing dials and switches to change the mesmerizing and seemingly endless display of pulsating, morphing laser beam patterns. It even includes a wrist strap so if you happen upon a Chromatic Dragon, and roll to save, you AND your pocket laser light show will live happily ever after…

ThinkGeek, How does it work?
Turn the unit on to either auto or manual mode. Optionally flip up the easel and just set it on the table projecting on a wall. The unit will automatically cycle through a myriad of pulsating patterns and shapes. This leaves your hands free for maximum beverage handling. Or if you want control, select manual mode and you can control via two switches and two rotating dials the precise pattern and rhythm that the red lasers display. The further you are holding the unit from wall or ceiling, the bigger the display will become. Hundreds of variations in the display are possible. Most are very spirographical and symmetrical patterns. Including a butt. Though some folks will mistake the butt for a lima bean, don’t let them fool you. It’s definitely a butt.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 4″x 3″ x3″
• Requires 3 AAA batteries (included)
• Includes wrist strap
• Includes easel
• Note: The video on the left doesn’t quite capture the complete effect as alas the eye is more forgiving than a video lens.

ThinkGeek Gadgets

Pocket Laser Lightshow In Action

High-Tech Office-Based Prank Device

With the advent of the incessantly beeping and easily concealable Annoy-a-tron, ThinkGeek has ushered in a new era of sophisticated office pranks sure to drive your co-workers bonkers while you snicker silently at your desk. Now the next advanced level in stealthy office joke electronics is ready for your enjoyment. The Phantom Keystroker may look like a harmless circuit board, but it’s actually a devious contraption of unlimited office-based torture. Simply discreetly attach the Phantom Keystroker to any extra USB port on your victim’s computer, no drivers needed. The Keystroker emulates a keyboard and mouse and periodically makes random mouse movements and types out odd garbage text and phrases. A simple jumper setting allows you to choose between either keyboard garbage typing, annoying mouse movements or both. An adjustment pot sets the duration between “events”. We recommend you don’t set it too frequently so as to extend the agony. Your hapless co-worker pal will think his computer has been possessed or infected by a destructive virus. As he writhes in anger and furiously dials tech support you can rest easy with a job well done.

Product Features

• Attach this evil prank device to your victim’s computer and it makes random mouse movements and types out odd garbage text and phrases
• Jumper setting allows you to choose between either keyboard garbage typing, annoying mouse movements or both
• Adjustment pot sets the duration between annoying “events”
• Works on any OS
• Victim’s computer requires USB port

ThinkGeek.com

For those that were able to obtain a Wii:

NOW, not only can your kids act like they’re in the game, i.e. swinging a sword or axe. They can actually do it. Highly not recommended for kids who constantly fight, All though that could be entertainment in itself. Hmmmm…. anyway you can pick this up at DealExtreme.

PICK YOUR NOSE PARTY CUPS

Who knows how to liven up a party? YOU do! Each of these photo- realistic paper cups comes emblazoned with a new nose. When you tip your head to take a drink - voila - you get an instant nose job, and a chuckle from the crowd.

Remember, never turn your nose up at a good laugh! There are 24 12-oz. cups in each pack, evenly divided between male and female proboscises (errr, noses).