I've installed the suggested kernel kernel-2.6.18-189.el5.jwltest.105.i686.rpm.
> This may be of help for the wireless (ath9k).
> http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/ath9k/RHEL5
No go. My supervisor prefers the netbook not have internet capability, so not an issue.
I will provide this feedback. The wireless adaptor in network configuration now is identified as atheros AR928X. It is unknown still in lspci output. Starting the device via network configuration menus yields a siocsifflags unknown error 132.
Or,
sudo ifconfig wlan0 up
SIOCSIFFLAGS: Unknown error 132
Ubuntu forums suggest rfkill. I surmise rfkill is an ubuntu hack that kills wifi drivers. Lots of web exchanges on this.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/464559
Thanks for the suggestions,
Bill Lutter