Ministumbler + Compaq WL110 + older PCMCIA Sleeve = no go?

Whizky · 02-28-2003

Hi,

I recently bought a Compaq Ipaq 3850. With it i got an older pcmcia adaptor (part no: 173396-001). I thought that it would be great to use it to go wireless networks and to do some sniffing with ministumbler of course, so i ordered a Compaq WL110 PC-card to use with it.

First I installed the HPs WL110 drivers (the latest version); that didn't want to work with Ministumbler at all. When I tried to use Orinocos drivers (which are practicly the same drivers) then everything worked great.

BUT...

I have used this setup for a week now and have noticed some strange things. First of all it seems that as soon as i start using the card heavily (like downloading from a ftp or just by opening a bigger webbpage) then the card seems to loose the connection to my AP. This has happened both at home and at the university. But as soon as I plug in the power cord to my ipaq then it doesn't have any problems anymore.

The thing with ministumbler is that if i start a new scan session then it will stop scaning after a while.. maby 5 minutes or so. Like if the card doesn't have enough power to stay on. The LEDs are still glowing (maby flashing even), but I cant really see any activity in the program window and no new ap's are appering even if i know that the area im in has plenty of APs.

So, has this anything to do with Compaq WL110 being a 5V card and that the sleeve is to old to support it, or could it be driver issues?

I would love to hear what kind of setup you guys are using, and if someone has the same sleeve as i do (part no: 173396-001).

-Mike

[edit: When ministumbler stops scanning i get this message at the bottom - "Need to run...."]

blackwave · 02-28-2003

here is my iPAQ setup:
PDA
iPAQ 3975
Sleeve
PC Card Expansion Pack Plus
Part Number 249708-B21
Cards
ORiNOCO Gold
Dell TrueMobile 1150
GPS
Garmin eTrex Legend
Cables/Connectors
Belkin USB/Serial Y-Sync Cable for iPAQ H3800 Series
RadioShack Male DB9-Male DB9 Gender Adapter
RadioShack Null Modem Adapter
Garmin Serial Connector
Case
Targus Camera Classic Series Case (extra roomy, fits ipaq with sleeve perfectly, sliced part of the top off so I could just insert the pcmcia card. Velcro belt loop.)

....

btw that "need to run" is searchable on the board, when I generally see it I remove the card and put it back in... or just reset my iPAQ.. though I only get that message once in a blue moon... I usually wardrive with my pda setup for 2 hours before the battery dies... no problems or pausing as you described with the WL110.

Whizky · 02-28-2003

I guess it could be something with the sleeve...

When i get the "Need to run..." msg i usually only need to close down ministumbler, re-select the wireless profile im using and press OK. Then it will scan for another 5 minutes or so.

Ive seen that many people has the same error as i do, but im curious if they also have problems with the wireless network (the same symptoms; loosing connection with the AP).

-Mike

Sooner Al · 03-03-2003

...problem with an older PC card sleeve I bought back in February 2001 AND my old iPAQ 3630 running the PPC 2002 OS OR my newer iPAQ 3835, when I tried to use my ORiNOCO Silver card. The connection was flakey as h*** or would simply not work... I tried my brothers newer PC card sleeve, bought in October of 2001, and it worked like a champ... I have seen others, on other forums, report similar problems with older PC card sleeves and the PPC 2002 OS on iPAQs. In my case the sleeve (Model 173396-001) Serial Number is 4G11DWXXXXXX, indicating it was built in January 2001. I don't know the Serial Number/Manufacture date of my brothers PC card sleeve...

I now, occasionally, use my Silver card with my iPAQ 3835 using the Semson's CF-to-PC card adapter and run security scans with Mini-Stumbler. It works very well. Normally I use a D-Link DCF-650W (CF form factor) card for wireless LAN and public internet access.

pany · 03-03-2003

I had issues using the latest WL110-PC Drivers with Mini-Stumbler. I have an older PCMCIA jacket on my 3870 and it was working fine until I installed the newer driver. I downgraded and all is well.

Good Luck.

Whizky · 03-04-2003

Could you please check the driver version your using when everything works fine?

Just to try i changed my Orinoco winter 2002 drivers to the Compaq drivers released in June 2001 (i think), SP21343.exe.
Suddenly i dont get the "Need to run.." msg anymore, but it looks like ministumbler still stops scanning after a while.

-Mike

Whizky · 03-04-2003

Sooner Al:

heh, mine has the S/N: 4G08DWXXXXXX so i guess its made on August 2000.

Oooold

If it isn't driver issues then it's most likely the sleeve.

-Mike

Sooner Al · 03-06-2003

...I believe that is correct... My sleeve is simply collecting dust...bummer...

02-28-2003	#1 (permalink)
Whizky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8	Ministumbler + Compaq WL110 + older PCMCIA Sleeve = no go? Hi, I recently bought a Compaq Ipaq 3850. With it i got an older pcmcia adaptor (part no: 173396-001). I thought that it would be great to use it to go wireless networks and to do some sniffing with ministumbler of course, so i ordered a Compaq WL110 PC-card to use with it. First I installed the HPs WL110 drivers (the latest version); that didn't want to work with Ministumbler at all. When I tried to use Orinocos drivers (which are practicly the same drivers) then everything worked great. BUT... I have used this setup for a week now and have noticed some strange things. First of all it seems that as soon as i start using the card heavily (like downloading from a ftp or just by opening a bigger webbpage) then the card seems to loose the connection to my AP. This has happened both at home and at the university. But as soon as I plug in the power cord to my ipaq then it doesn't have any problems anymore. The thing with ministumbler is that if i start a new scan session then it will stop scaning after a while.. maby 5 minutes or so. Like if the card doesn't have enough power to stay on. The LEDs are still glowing (maby flashing even), but I cant really see any activity in the program window and no new ap's are appering even if i know that the area im in has plenty of APs. So, has this anything to do with Compaq WL110 being a 5V card and that the sleeve is to old to support it, or could it be driver issues? I would love to hear what kind of setup you guys are using, and if someone has the same sleeve as i do (part no: 173396-001). -Mike [edit: When ministumbler stops scanning i get this message at the bottom - "Need to run...."] Last edited by Whizky : 02-28-2003 at 12:24 PM.

02-28-2003	#2 (permalink)
blackwave Do I look like I'm joking Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: SoCal, OC Posts: 4,507	here is my iPAQ setup: PDA iPAQ 3975 Sleeve PC Card Expansion Pack Plus Part Number 249708-B21 Cards ORiNOCO Gold Dell TrueMobile 1150 GPS Garmin eTrex Legend Cables/Connectors Belkin USB/Serial Y-Sync Cable for iPAQ H3800 Series RadioShack Male DB9-Male DB9 Gender Adapter RadioShack Null Modem Adapter Garmin Serial Connector Case Targus Camera Classic Series Case (extra roomy, fits ipaq with sleeve perfectly, sliced part of the top off so I could just insert the pcmcia card. Velcro belt loop.) .... btw that "need to run" is searchable on the board, when I generally see it I remove the card and put it back in... or just reset my iPAQ.. though I only get that message once in a blue moon... I usually wardrive with my pda setup for 2 hours before the battery dies... no problems or pausing as you described with the WL110. __________________ -=BW=- Last edited by blackwave : 02-28-2003 at 02:25 PM.

03-03-2003	#4 (permalink)
Sooner Al Old Enough to Know Better Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 63	I have a similar, but not the same... ...problem with an older PC card sleeve I bought back in February 2001 AND my old iPAQ 3630 running the PPC 2002 OS OR my newer iPAQ 3835, when I tried to use my ORiNOCO Silver card. The connection was flakey as h* or would simply not work... I tried my brothers newer PC card sleeve, bought in October of 2001, and it worked like a champ... I have seen others, on other forums, report similar problems with older PC card sleeves and the PPC 2002 OS on iPAQs. In my case the sleeve (Model 173396-001) Serial Number is 4G11*DWXXXXXX, indicating it was built in January 2001. I don't know the Serial Number/Manufacture date of my brothers PC card sleeve... I now, occasionally, use my Silver card with my iPAQ 3835 using the Semson's CF-to-PC card adapter and run security scans with Mini-Stumbler. It works very well. Normally I use a D-Link DCF-650W (CF form factor) card for wireless LAN and public internet access. __________________ "When all else fails, read the instructions..." Last edited by Sooner Al : 03-03-2003 at 05:33 AM.*

03-06-2003	#8 (permalink)
Sooner Al Old Enough to Know Better Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 63	Unfortunetly... ...I believe that is correct... My sleeve is simply collecting dust...bummer... __________________ "When all else fails, read the instructions..."

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02-28-2003	#3 (permalink)
Whizky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8	I guess it could be something with the sleeve... When i get the "Need to run..." msg i usually only need to close down ministumbler, re-select the wireless profile im using and press OK. Then it will scan for another 5 minutes or so. Ive seen that many people has the same error as i do, but im curious if they also have problems with the wireless network (the same symptoms; loosing connection with the AP). -Mike

03-03-2003	#5 (permalink)
pany Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1	I had issues using the latest WL110-PC Drivers with Mini-Stumbler. I have an older PCMCIA jacket on my 3870 and it was working fine until I installed the newer driver. I downgraded and all is well. Good Luck.

03-04-2003	#6 (permalink)
Whizky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8	Could you please check the driver version your using when everything works fine? Just to try i changed my Orinoco winter 2002 drivers to the Compaq drivers released in June 2001 (i think), SP21343.exe. Suddenly i dont get the "Need to run.." msg anymore, but it looks like ministumbler still stops scanning after a while. -Mike

03-04-2003	#7 (permalink)
Whizky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8	Sooner Al: heh, mine has the S/N: 4G08DWXXXXXX so i guess its made on August 2000. Oooold If it isn't driver issues then it's most likely the sleeve. -Mike