How to get a D-Link DWL-G650+ Wi-Fi adapter to work in Ubuntu Linux 6.06
A few days ago I installed the latest version of Ubuntu Linux (version 6.06, Dapper Drake) on my old Compaq Presario 1200 laptop. The installation went smoothly, and Ubuntu runs beautifully, considering it’s an old 800MHz Celeron. Except for one small issue: My D-Link DWL-G650+ 802.11g cardbus adapter wouldn’t work. The status LEDs would come on, and the adapter was properly detected by the OS, but I couldn’t manage to get an IP from the router. After looking around in Google for a few minutes, I found this website, which explained that:
As in the summary, acx111-based d-link dwl-g650+ does not work with the default firmware. It works with 1.2.1.34 (tiacx111c16) - this is the firmware recommended (as the better of the only two working) on acx100 development website - see http://acx100.sourceforge.net/wiki/Firmware
According to the comments section in that page, there are a few ways to fix this, and I’m going to describe two of them. I’m writing this mostly as a reminder for myself since I’ll probably have to do it again next week after I replace the 10GB hard drive in the Compaq with a new 60GB one, but I thought this might be useful to somebody else.
Solution 1
This first solution involves deleting tiacx111c16 from /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/default, which links to /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/2.3.1.31/tiacx111c16 (the broken firmware), and replace it with a link to /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/1.2.1.34/tiacx111c16 (the working one). To do this open a terminal window and type:
sudo rm /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/default/tiacx111c16
Replace [kernel version] with your kernel version, obviously. The system will ask you for your password. Enter it. Now type:
sudo ln -s /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/1.2.1.34/tiacx111c16 /lib/firmware/[kernel version]/acx/default/tiacx111c16
Eject the card, reinsert it, and that’s it. It should be working properly now.
Note: To find out your kernel version, type echo uname -r at the terminal.
Solution 2
I think this solution is easier, but you’ll have to reboot your PC. Again, open a terminal, and type:
sudo pico /etc/modprobe.d/options
Your system will ask your password; provide it. Now add the following line to the file you’re editing:
options acx firmware_ver=1.2.1.34
Press Control+x to exit, and press Y to save the changes. Reboot the computer, and you’re done.
I think that’s it. Feel free to comment if you have any observations or corrections to make.