Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

[tlhodgson]

New to Kubuntu and Linux in general here. I know I am not the first to post this particular problem, but I can't seem to find a simple, clearly articulated solution to my problem.

I installed Kubuntu 9.10 on my desktop, and installed a Netgear WG311v3 wireless pci adapter. I went through the nutroll of installing ndiswrapper and the windows driver for the wireless adapter. I can get connected to the internet via WEP secured connection. However, when I restart the computer, it doesn't detect any wireless connection at all. I have to go back to the terminal and run the following commands:

sudo depmod -a
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

That seems to wake up the system, and knetwork manager detects the connection.

My question is, how do I set up the system to automatically detect and connect to my wireless network whenever I start the computer?

Please keep in mind that I am pretty much a caveman with computers, so please be very clear (ie simple) in your response. Thanks ahead of time.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

3.7. Automatically loading at start-up

If everything works, you need to tell your system to load the module when the system starts-up. Depending on the method of network manager you are using, will require a different setup
Configure ndiswrapper for use with the Network Admin settings - this adds an Alias to associate wlan0 to ndiswrapper in modprobe.d

sudo ndiswrapper -m

(WifiDocsDriverNdiswrapper)

[vinnywright]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

IF you want your conection to remane after a reboot I'v found that it helps to do ALL the lines hear with a M in it

vinny@desktop:~$ ndiswrapper
install/manage Windows drivers for ndiswrapper

usage: ndiswrapper OPTION
-i inffile install driver described by 'inffile'
-a devid driver use installed 'driver' for 'devid' (dangerous)
-r driver remove 'driver'
-l list installed drivers
-m write configuration for modprobe
-ma write module alias configuration for all devices
-mi write module install configuration for all devices
-v report version information

in other words
the -i install driver
the -m
the -ma
and the -mi

then a modprobe ndiswrapper

folowing this resapey ndiswrapper has never faled me when I'v acualey neaded it

VINNY

[tlhodgson]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

Thanks Vinny. Whenever I type in the code you listed above, I get the following message:

usage: ndiswrapper OPTION
-i inffile install driver described by 'inffile'
-a devid driver use installed 'driver' for 'devid' (dangerous)
-r driver remove 'driver'
-l list installed drivers
-m write configuration for modprobe
-ma write module alias configuration for all devices
-mi write module install configuration for all devices
-v report version information

where 'devid' is either PCIID or USBID of the form XXXX:XXXX,
as reported by 'lspci -n' or 'lsusb' for the card
sassafras@SassafrasGuest:~$ ndiswrapper -m
WARNING: All config files need .conf: /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper, it will be ignored in a future release.
module configuration already contains alias directive


What does all that (all files need .conf) mean? And what should I do to get my wireless up and running?

[Snowhog]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

What does all that (all files need .conf) mean?

You can ignore that. It's a developer statement. At some point in the future, all configuration files will have to actually have a file name extension of .conf in order to be understood correctly. That time has not yet arrived.

[tlhodgson]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

Thanks Snowhog. I appreciate your help. So if I can ignore that .conf statement, then what do I need to do to get my wireless connection everytime I boot up the computer? Is there some code that I have to type? If so, please be very specific.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

You said that you got ndiswrapper working, but that you had to run:

sudo depmod -a
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

after starting your system each time. Did you see my post below concerning how to get ndiswrapper to automatically load at start-up?

[tlhodgson]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

I did see it. I typed the following and got the same message:


sassafras@SassafrasGuest:~$ sudo ndiswrapper -m
[sudo] password for sassafras:
WARNING: All config files need .conf: /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper, it will be ignored in a future release.
module configuration already contains alias directive

My computer still does not recognize the wireless connection when I reboot. I know I am doing something wrong, and I appreciate all your help and patience.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

Vinnywright said:

the -i install driver
the -m
the -ma
and the -mi

then a modprobe ndiswrapper

This means to, from the command line, type:

sudo ndiswrapper -m
sudo ndiswrapper -ma
sudo ndiswrapper -mi
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

He says it always works for him, so ....

[tlhodgson]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

Thanks Snowhog and Vinny. Thanks for spelling it out. This is the kind of help I need.I am going to give this a shot. I'll let you know shortly whether it works.

[tlhodgson]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

OK. It seems to have worked. You guys are the best. I owe you some beers sometime.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

Cool. 8) And a promise of a brewski to boot.

Glad we were able to help you out.

[vinnywright]

Re: Kubuntu 9.10 doesn't detect wireless connection at startup

sorey I was bisey in the other world ..... you no that one outside the box ....LOL

glad you got it with the Snowhog's help

VINNY