ndiswrapper not working - kernel problem?

waffe · 05-23-2009, 09:39 PM

Hi, I am ubuntu 9.04 with kernel version 2.6.29-02062903-generic. I have tried to install many wireless USB cards and I am always getting the same error.

first I installed ndiswrapper-common, ndiswrapper-utils-1.9 and ndisgtk. I then run ndisgtk and load the windows driver. I am currently trying my d-link DWA-142. When I select the driver on anycard I have tried I get this error:

Code:

Module could not be loaded. Error was:

WARNING: All config files need .conf: /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper, it will be ignored in a future release.
FATAL: Module ndiswrapper not found.

Is the ndiswrapper module installed?

I believe the problem is with my Kernel. I have updated it and when I type locate ndiswrapper I get among many things:

Code:

/lib/modules/2.6.27-11-generic/kernel/ubuntu/ndiswrapper
/lib/modules/2.6.27-11-generic/kernel/ubuntu/ndiswrapper/ndiswrapper.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/ubuntu/ndiswrapper
/lib/modules/2.6.28-11-generic/kernel/ubuntu/ndiswrapper/ndiswrapper.ko

It appears the wrapper is not set for my current Kernel. I have read things that suggest this is the problem but I do not know how to fix it.

Here is my lsusb:

Code:

Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 07d1:3b10 D-Link System RangeBooster N Adapter
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 047d:1005 Kensington TurboBall
Bus 005 Device 002: ID 04f3:0103 Elan Microelectronics Corp. 
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Thanks,
waffe

Hangdog42 · 05-24-2009, 08:06 AM

Ndiswrapper development has traditionally lagged well behind the kernel, so going with the most recent kernel is likely to cause trouble. However, ndiswrapper is not needed anywhere near as much as it used to be. You should check into native linux drivers for your wireless card as they are frequently a better choice.

repo · 05-24-2009, 09:45 AM

I would suggest to remove ndiswrapper using the packetmanager.
Then install ndiswrapper from source.

Code:

apt-get remove ndiswrapper ndiswrapper-*

Install the kernel build-essentials

Code:

apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r`

Download the latest ndiswrapper at sourceforge.
Untar the file, and do:

Code:

make diskclean
make
make install

Download the windows driver for your wireless card, and do :

Code:

ndiswrapper -i path to your driver
ndiswrapper -m
modprobe ndiswrapper

But as Hangdog42 suggested, first try to find the native linux drivers for your wireless card

BTW

Quote:

WARNING: All config files need .conf: /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper, it will be ignored in a future release.

is a bug, no need to worry about