From LQWiki

If you have a generic WLAN card that uses the prism 2 chipset, but are unable to use it in linux, i.e. when you plug it in, it flashes, but will not give a steady "on" light or something similar, you can try this simple fix:

boot your computer with the wireless card in the pcmcia socket

in a root console:

dmesg | grep "manfid"

you should see some output that lists your specific cards manufacturer id, using this number and a text editor modify the file /etc/pcmcia/config and add lines to the "wireless" section similar to the following, using your manfid.

card "Prism Wireless card"
manfid 0x50c2, 0x7300
bind "orinoco_cs" 

save it, and reboot, the card should work either if left in the machine, or hotplugged. Use iwlist or iwconfig to check its status.

External links

hostap alternative drive (hostap.epitest.fi)

wlan-ng alternative driver (www.linux-wlan.org)