[Solved] NetGear WNA1100 usb WiFi not working

[sqlpython]

As the Subject says:
La' Ordinator is a Dell c4600 dimension box. 2gb mem, 300gb HDrive.. The current Hardwire NIC is a LinkSys N USB (usb 10/100)
  OS Vector 7 Gold (new install) very impressive Distro..
The computer is a Dual Boot WinXP and the WNA1100 works fine there.
I have tried ndiswrapper, no luck. I have used ndiswrapper for years with the bcm43xx series wifi so the procedure is quite familiar to me.....

Code:

sudo ndiswrapper -l (check loaded drivers)

sudo ndiswrapper -e bcmwl5 (unload as precaution possible installed same driver)

sudo ndiswrapper -l ( check again)

sudo ndiswrapper -i /home/yourUser/.wireless/bcmwl5.inf ( install driver)

sudo ndiswrapper -m (writes an alias for wlan0 )

sudo modprobe ndiswrapper (add ndiswrapper module)

ReBoot OR restart Networking

When the Driver is installed netathurx.inf the system lets you know that the alternative driver is ath9k_htc.. If we check with

Code:

lsusb

the chip is identified as Atheros AR9271
The Wna1100 as above can be gotten to work in Debian as here http://wiki.debian.org/ath9k_htc
That simple...
Slackware seems to want the hard road...
BTW...
once I

Code:

modprobe ath9k_htc

then a ....

Code:

su
ifconfig wlan0 up

will momentarily make the USB wna1100 flash..momentarily.. but that is all.. no connection..

Further an

Code:

Ifconfig -a

...will show the HRDWR address of the wna1100 attached to wlan0 ..
..and I have

Code:

iwconfig wlan0 essid Myrouter

which then will list the router linked to wlan0 in a

Code:

iwconfig

So in conclusion... No luck with ndiswrapper and the netathurx.inf Nor without ndiswrapper using modprobe ath9k

I am not at the Vector (not on this Debian Laptop but will add soon) install as I type..and will post exact terminal outputs to code above tonight.. I believe though all is as I have described..
Old Linux Geezer open to suggestions regarding the Slackware Solution..  

[sqlpython]

 Just wanted to make all aware that I have viewed..
https://vector.ecosq.com/ic/HowTos/HowToBook/ChapterWireless

[sqlpython]

  ...Ok, I can mark this thread as Surprised and Solved on my Son's Vector 7 install.

 As pe my first post I was baffled (but then I am baffled quite often)..as I had
Modprobed the firmware driver.,
ifconfig wlan0 up
iwconfig wlan0 essid myrouterName

..As I had noted Vector did include ath9k_htc with the install..apparently that was the firmware and Driver need.
However WICD continued to indicate No Wireless connections in the neighborhood.
 The ifconfig continued to indicate the wlan0 attached to the USB's wifi hardware address.
 The iwconfig continued to indicate that wlan0 was linked to myrouterName.
.....But the Netgear USB WiFi dongle did not light up..
I knew I had a line to it as every
ifconfig wlan0 up
..would momentarily Flash the USB's lights.

 ...I rebooted and or restarted Networking countless times but to no avail....
Finally, I quit WICD from the panel and restarted then checked checked and scanned again...Nothing..
The Wifi properties of WICD were set to wlan0..
So, I shut down the computer with WICD quit and off..

 .....When I restarted Vector 7 WICD restarted as an app in the Panel. I opened WICD in the Desktop to have it once again Scan for Wireless routers..
AND.. Voila!  We are scanning and finding Wifi Networks in the neighborhood as well as ours.
The Dongle is lite... I love it..
..............Lesson learned " Turn Off WICD and Shutdown. Restart to give WICD a chance to reconfigure from Scratch..
 Apparently, this does make a difference that a Simple Shutdown with WICD does not...