[machv]

I have a tplink external usb wifi card and i want to install the driver for it in linux. I downloaded the correct drivers from the tplink support section. I have read the redme file and it wants me to copy some of the files into the wpa-suplicant folder (then I guess it will find the proprietary driver from the drivers menu thingy(sorry i am in windows right now and can't remember the exact message)) but when I try to do that I get a message that I am not the owner (root) so I can't put anything into that folder unless I am the owner. So how do I login as root? I don't know how to do that and I don't know how to change the permissions as it doesn't allow me to so that I could temporarily drop the security wall copy the files then put it back up. Thanks and have a great day

[TerryNet]

One of the reasons there are so many Linux distributions is because they differ from each other. Puppy Linux defaults to only having root, so I guess we can eliminate that as the OS you are using.

In many distributions of Linux logging in to root is not advised, and the recommended method is to prefix the commands that need root permission with sudo; for example,

sudo chmod 666 somefile

Here is some Ubuntu specific information on the subject, including how to login as root if you really must. Perhaps it will apply to your distro.

[machv]

oops sorry I am running ubuntu9. something or other I think 9.10

[TerryNet]

OK, that article applies to pretty much all Ubuntu's. Attached is for Ubuntu 10.04, but same for 9.10 and previous.

Applications - Accessories - Terminal - will open a terminal window (like Command prompt in Windows). I find it useful enough to put it on the panel for quick access.

In the attachment I'm (hopefully) showing you how to navigate to the wpa_supplicant's location, show it's current permissions, change so that everybody can write into it, show that I did so, and then change the permissions back to what they were. At the red arrow you can then copy files into it.

P.S. Where it says "Operation not permitted" my claim is that I did not forget what I was doing, was just demonstrating the wrong way.

[machv]

lol, thanks and i will let u know how it went.

[machv]

Originally Posted by TerryNet

OK, that article applies to pretty much all Ubuntu's. Attached is for Ubuntu 10.04, but same for 9.10 and previous.

Applications - Accessories - Terminal - will open a terminal window (like Command prompt in Windows). I find it useful enough to put it on the panel for quick access.

Originally Posted by TerryNet

In the attachment I'm (hopefully) showing you how to navigate to the wpa_supplicant's location, show it's current permissions, change so that everybody can write into it, show that I did so, and then change the permissions back to what they were. At the red arrow you can then copy files into it.

P.S. Where it says "Operation not permitted" my claim is that I did not forget what I was doing, was just demonstrating the wrong way.

I tried to follow the instructions you gave and I actually went through the err! steps of what not to do too lol. Although why I did that I do not know??? Anywho I got that done OK but then I got all confused and discombobulated trying to edit the files that I was told to edit in the readme file (why they weren't already pre-edited escapes me as they were their files and writing the instructions on how and where to edit was from my viewpoint longer than just editing them themselves) Anyway I got it all done but then I got stuck at one point and need your help to decipher and explain it to me (or if you want to you could edit them and post the editied versions just let me know where to put them except if it's my bum I will try to figure it out on my own lol. So I am attaching the files for the drivers and am inserting the excerpts here. So I can show you where I got stuck. My notes will be in black italics and the file excerpts will be red, which should keep it all organized and sparkly clear lol (I get a little OCD at times sorry).

Here are the excerpts with notes:

After download the package then go to wpa_supplicant directory
Follow the steps.

1.) Copy file "driver_ralink.c" and "driver_ralink.h" we provide to wpa_supplicant directory.
1.1.) Copy files driver.h, events.c, wpa_supplicant.c, wpa_supplicant_i.h we provide to wpa_supplicant directory.
2.) Set driver_ralink configuration as y in the "defconfig" or update to the "defconfig" we provide::
# Driver interface for Ralink rt73 driver
CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK=y

3.) Add wpa_driver_ralink_ops() into wpa_supplicant_drivers() in file "drivers.c"
or update to the file "drivers.c" we provide::

#ifdef CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK
extern struct wpa_driver_ops wpa_driver_ralink_ops; /* driver_ralink.c */
#endif /* CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK */
:
:
struct wpa_driver_ops *wpa_supplicant_drivers[] =
{
#ifdef CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK
&wpa_driver_ralink_ops,
#endif /* CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK */
}

4.) Edit the "Makefile" or update to the "Makefile" we provide::

ifdef CONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK
CFLAGS += -DCONFIG_DRIVER_RALINK
OBJS_d += driver_ralink.o
endif
I got to this point and then I got all Duh!!! On where and how to do the following bits
(they didn't specify where I should type step number 5. or how I should compile the source using the make command.
The only piles I know about are the ones with carpets and the "pile" of crap at the foot of my bed lol.
5.) type $cp defconfig .config
6.) Compile the source code using 'make' command.

Also could you tell me step by step how to do the following. The writers assume I have a clue about how to
do these things in Linux, which I don't. I am a total newbie when it comes to this stuff.
Q2. How to start wpa_supplicant
--------------------------------
1.) First start rt73 driver.

2.) Edit/Create a configuration file of wpa_supplicant.
-a) Set your work directory of wpa_supplicant for sockets
ctrl_interface = YOUR_WORK_PATH

-b) Set YOUR_OPENSC_PATH if need be. (e.g. generate certificates)
opensc_engine_path =/YOUR_OPENSC_PATH/engine_opensc.so
pkcs11_engine_path =/YOUR_OPENSC_PATH/engine_pkcs11.so
pkcs11_module_path =/YOUR_OPENSC_PATH/opensc-pkcs11.so

-c) Set network configuration. (e.g. WPA/EAP-TTLS)

*** refer to wpa_supplicant.conf in details or related documents ***

3.) Manually start wpa_supplicant,
type $./wpa_supplicant -c your_config_file -i rausb0 -D ralink

turn on debug mode,
type $./wpa_supplicant -c your_config_file -i rausb0 -D ralink -d

Notes:
1.) wpa_supplicant 0.5.8 can not compiler with Redhat Enterprise Linux 5
kernel 2.6.18-8.el5xen. Update Redhat Enterprise Linux 5 kernel to
current version (kernel-xen-2.6.18-8.1.15.el5xen) can solve it.

OK, I think that about covers it oh before I forget. I am using a USB drive for my Ubuntu drive so how do I make these changes permanent? So that I don't have to go through this each time I boot to it? Do I need to re-partition the thing because I forgot to place a separate partition right after the OS for saving things. If so I will just format and reinstall the OS again. Oh and could you explain to me why they give you instructions on how to edit the files they supply you with in the first place and why can't you just install a driver in the same way you can in windows (I hate that I was brought up on windows and not Linux).

Oh and I didn't save my work so I will have to edit the files again from scratch.

Phew thank God that the zip file was under 500kb the rar files have to under 400kb but the zips 500kb odd the zips end up bigger than rar's for some reason OK enough rambling.

[TerryNet]

Sorry, you bit off more than I can chew. It's been at least a dozen years since I've done anything with Makes and C compiles and the like. What the heck are your trying to do? In the name of your attached file I see TL-WN321G, which seems to work with Ubuntu natively according to this https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ha...rkCardsTP-Link. Is it working for you, but not with WPA?

[machv]

lol. Well that explains a lot as when I click on the networking icon I do see that it has a ralink adapter which is the external card, but it is disabled and the option to enable it is grayed out. And as far as what am I trying to do I haven't the foggiest except for trying to get the internet to work. I was only trying to follow the instructions in the readme file which are very very complicated only because they assume that I have a clue as to what they are talking about. Oh and by the way the reason why I have an external card is because I broke off the radio switch on my laptop when I was putting it back together note to self don't use hammers when taking apart delicate objects lol

[lewmur]

Rather than messing around trying to install the proprietary drivers, you might want to try using ndiswrapper. It allows you to use the Windows drivers without any need to recompile the kernel or messing around with file permissions.

[TerryNet]

System - Administration - Hardware Drivers. You may find something about "click here to use proprietary driver" for the adapter.