Linux HOWTO #1: How to install and use ndiswrapper

LINUX HOWTO 1st installment (Errata: see below)

This is the first in a new series called Linux HOWTOS. Every week I will post a video explaining how to accomplish something using a GNU/Linux operating system. Please write requests for installments in the comments!

This installment deals with using ndiswrapper to use Windows wireless drivers in Linux. Hardware manufacturers often don't release specifications of their products to the open source community, so programs like ndiswrapper become necessary.

If you have any questions, please ask in the comment field, and I or someone else will do our best to answer. Please avoid 'RTFM'-style answers. They are not welcome. Also please post corrections if I mistakenly give some wrong information.

I hope this project will serve as a valuable resource for people wanting to make the switch from a proprietary operating system to Linux.

***Errata***
If you are using ndiswrapper but have a native kernel module for your wireless card installed, you need to add the line:
blacklist name_of_kernel_module
to you blacklist file (probably /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist ). Running "ndiswrapper -l" (without quotes) as root will give the name of the native linux module you need to blacklist. If the module is already loaded you need to run "rmmod name_of_module" (without quotes) before ndiswrapper will work.
******

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This video was created using only free and open source software tools: TightVNC, pyvnc2swf, ardour2, jackd, lame, and ffmpeg.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Linux
• Wireless
• Laptop
• ndiswrapper
• GNU
• Unix
• Open
• Source
• Free
• Software
• Driver
• Windows
• kernel
• userspace
• module

[pgeske]

I am using Fedora 16, and my kernel folder is empty, so when i type make at 4:53, i end up getting an error. please help!

[Ograws]

@jinqiangzhang connect via Ethernet (Wired)

[TailsTheGamer]

dang it! Can't find kernel version when I type make...

[jinqiangzhang]

dude, before installing this, I don't have access to Internet. How should I do it then

[Chrisgodoflard]

I can't get the LSUSB thing to work in the command.

[007ttracy]

OMFG THANK YOU

[PaleandPastey]

This won't work past the command "make".

It tells me the "make" is not installed. it tells me i can install make by typing: "sudo apt-get install make"

I type this it tells me "E: Package make has no installation candidate"

[CraZayTube]

@freddethemanyo i was never able to get it to work, sorry man

[tspideyboy]

@Ograws I don't think you do if you either have a dual booted machine in which the other operating system has access to Internet or just a whole another system with access to Internet. With this process though your are going to need an USB storage device of some kind.

[Ograws]

Do you need an internet connection to install NDISWRAPPER on the Linux machine?