This is from my 2.6.24.2 config. My intel 3945ABG works fine. Use this excerpt as guide or starting point
# Wireless
#
CONFIG_CFG80211=m
CONFIG_NL80211=y
CONFIG_WIRELESS_EXT=y
CONFIG_MAC80211=m
CONFIG_MAC80211_RCSIMPLE=y
CONFIG_MAC80211_LEDS=y
# CONFIG_MAC80211_DEBUG is not set
CONFIG_IEEE80211=m
# CONFIG_IEEE80211_DEBUG is not set
CONFIG_IEEE80211_CRYPT_WEP=m
CONFIG_IEEE80211_CRYPT_CCMP=m
CONFIG_IEEE80211_CRYPT_TKIP=m
# CONFIG_IEEE80211_SOFTMAC is not set
CONFIG_RFKILL=m
CONFIG_RFKILL_INPUT=m
CONFIG_RFKILL_LEDS=y
# CONFIG_NET_9P is not set
#
# Wireless LAN
#
# CONFIG_WLAN_PRE80211 is not set
CONFIG_WLAN_80211=y
# CONFIG_PCMCIA_RAYCS is not set
# CONFIG_IPW2100 is not set
# CONFIG_IPW2200 is not set
# CONFIG_LIBERTAS is not set
# CONFIG_AIRO is not set
# CONFIG_HERMES is not set
# CONFIG_ATMEL is not set
# CONFIG_AIRO_CS is not set
# CONFIG_PCMCIA_WL3501 is not set
# CONFIG_PRISM54 is not set
# CONFIG_USB_ZD1201 is not set
# CONFIG_RTL8187 is not set
# CONFIG_ADM8211 is not set
# CONFIG_P54_COMMON is not set
CONFIG_IWLWIFI=y
# CONFIG_IWLWIFI_DEBUG is not set
CONFIG_IWLWIFI_SENSITIVITY=y
CONFIG_IWLWIFI_SPECTRUM_MEASUREMENT=y
CONFIG_IWLWIFI_QOS=y
# CONFIG_IWL4965 is not set
CONFIG_IWL3945=m
# CONFIG_HOSTAP is not set
# CONFIG_B43 is not set
# CONFIG_B43LEGACY is not set
# CONFIG_RT2X00 is not set