Wireless Adapter install using NDIS Wrapper?

[LoneWolf_53]

I've just installed Ubuntu 9.04 64bit and wireless network adapter did not install.

It's a NetGear WN311T and I'd like to try to see if I can get it to work manually.

I've no experience with this so would appreciate any help possible.

Explanation needs to be as to a complete newbie as I'm not even familiar with what NDIS Wrapper is. :lol:

 

[LoneWolf_53]

OK let's try another approach.

I have placed the latest ndiswrapper-1.56.tar.gz file on my desktop in Ubuntu 9.04 so what are the steps to install ndiswrapper now?

I've googled and seem to see conflicting instructions on how to install a package without using Synaptic.

 

[linux_0]

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper

Good luck

 

[randomizer]

Apparently the NDISwrapper kernel module is already installed with Ubuntu so you just need a few packages. Have you tried the instructions on this page? https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper

Not sure why you want to do it without Synaptic, it's always easier if you can use the package manager than trying to manually configure it yourself

EDIT: LOL, too quick for me

 

[LoneWolf_53]

Appreciate the help guys.

This is all foreign to me.

OK I got the ndiswrapper installed and that part of the process works.

Now my problem is I need to get my hands on the driver .INF file and all I have is a Windows executable file that installs the drivers on a windows platform.

How on earth do I get the INF file out of the executable?

I tried cabextract and that tossed up an error.

 

[randomizer]

Doesn't the manufacturer provide a zip version of the driver without a setup program?

 

[LoneWolf_53]

Doesn't the manufacturer provide a zip version of the driver without a setup program?

Not that I can find.

I've found drivers in a few places but always in the form of .exe

That being the case I figured it would be wisest to use the drivers from the manufacturer which is here... http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/831

 

[randomizer]

I used 7-zip on the exe and there are no INFs in it, at least none that aren't packed into something else. In case it helps though, I uploaded all the contained files here: http://www.mediafire.com/?1qtqtmzjz5i

 

[LoneWolf_53]

I used 7-zip on the exe and there are no INFs in it, at least none that aren't packed into something else. In case it helps though, I uploaded all the contained files here: http://www.mediafire.com/?1qtqtmzjz5i

I don't have it working yet but thanks that got me a bit closer.

I used something called unshield on the data1.cab and it had the inf files in it.

Best as I can tell I have the driver installed now but have to figure out why it's still not operating. 🙁

I suppose on the bright side the longer this takes the more familiar I'll get with linux. :lol:

 

[randomizer]

It might be easier to get another wireless adapter that just works :lol:

 

[LoneWolf_53]

It might be easier to get another wireless adapter that just works :lol:

Well actually I did grab a USB wireless adapter that has a Realtek chip but as my luck would have it the thing is also not supported natively by Linux and it was the only one to be had at my supplier.

 

[randomizer]

Odd... are you sure? What's the model of the device? The RTL8187L chipset works out of the box, I know that for sure. It has done so for several versions of the kernel. Realtek does provide binary drivers for Linux at least, so NDIS Wrapper wouldn't be necessary. But you don't want to use them if you don't have to, because they will probably have a funky installation method.

 

[LoneWolf_53]

Odd... are you sure? What's the model of the device? The RTL8187L chipset works out of the box, I know that for sure. It has done so for several versions of the kernel. Realtek does provide binary drivers for Linux at least, so NDIS Wrapper wouldn't be necessary. But you don't want to use them if you don't have to, because they will probably have a funky installation method.

The USB adapter that I have is called an Airlink Golden N model AWLL6075.

Apparently the model AWLL3026 works with Linux automatically but there wasn't one for me to buy.

Bearing this in mind I figured if I have to use ndiswrapper I might as well try to get the installed NetGear WN311T to work.

Hate to say it but so far I'm not overly impressed with these Linux offerings compared to the PCLOS I had previously installed on a PC for a short time.

For one thing Ubuntu loads way slower than Win7 which surprised me and I would have thought that by now Linux would be a bit more wireless friendly considering how commonly used it is.

The package manager relies completely on an internet connection to work properly yet you need so many packages installed in order to be successful in installing and configuring wireless that it creates an annoying catch 22 scenario.

Might make sense if these items were installed by default when engaging in the initial reformat.

 

[LoneWolf_53]

Best answer selected by lonewolf_53.

 

[randomizer]

I take it you got it working? By the way, if you allow the wireless to be used by anyone (and not just your user), it will start connecting before you log in, and you won't be waiting for it for so long 😉 I am not sure how to go about this with NDISwrapper though, does it still use the Gnome Network Manager?

 

[LoneWolf_53]

I take it you got it working? By the way, if you allow the wireless to be used by anyone (and not just your user), it will start connecting before you log in, and you won't be waiting for it for so long 😉 I am not sure how to go about this with NDISwrapper though, does it still use the Gnome Network Manager?

In the end I wound up using a Linksys WMP300N adapter and I got that one working using Wicd and WPA Supplicant.

That one does not require ndiswrapper as it's a generic driver Broadcom made for Linux.

Thanks for all your help I have learned a bit.

 

[randomizer]

At least you got something working in the end

 

[Guest]

Better late then never....

In order to install the drivers for a WN311t on UNBUNTU 10.4, I had to install the WINE pkg, NDISWRAPPER, and WINDOWS WIRELESS DRIVERS.

1) Install NDISWRAPPER from Synaptic (System>Administrator>Synaptic Package Manager)
a)Check mark ndisgtk, ndiswapper-utils-1.9, ndiswrapper common

2) Install WINDOWS WIRELESS DRIVERS from Unbuntu Software Center (Applications)

3) Install WINE from Synaptic.
a)Check mark wine, wine1.2-gecko, wine1.2
***To install packages from Synaptic, navigate there and type program\application name you wish to use in the search box***

4) Insert your WN311T disc into the box, navigate to the Autorun on the disc and install. The installation will error out at the end, but thats fine. All we're looking for is the extraction of the drivers
***WINE will see the executable and treat the installation like Windows typically would. It will install the drivers in C:\Program Files\Netgear. ***

5) Navigate to WINDOWS WIRELESS DRIVERS (System, Administration) open it. Click the option to 'Install a new driver' and under 'Select .inf file' navigate to the installation folder. Ex. home\username\.wine\dosdevices\c:\program files\netgear\wn311t\NETMW14x.inf
click install. If it works properly, WINDOWS WIRELESS DRIVERS will show the device in the 'Currently Installed Windows Driver' list.

6) Reboot the box and join your network.



Unfortunately, your going to need an internet connection to complete this. One suggestion would be if you have a seperate PC running Windows enable Internet Connection Sharing on it and connect the two using CAT5.

Hope this gets you up and running or at least gives you some hope for your adapter.