Ndiswrapper works w/ LiveCD, NOT HD install

Forum: Networking
Topic: Ndiswrapper works w/ LiveCD, NOT HD install
started by: PastorEd

Posted by PastorEd on Jan. 20 2006,20:10

Hello, everyone. I'm having a very confusing problem with DSL.

The target machine is a Thinkpad 770, and I'm using DSL 2.1.

What I've discovered is that I can use ndiswrapper to get my Motorola WN825G wireless pcmcia card to work just fine **IF** I am using the LiveCD. I can ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5a.inf, modprobe ndiswrapper, pump -i wlan0, and I have internet access. Works great.

So, I'm thinking... great! I'll use this as my HD install as well... I do the install, and DSL works like a charm. I'm thinking how great this is... UNTIL I try to modprobe ndiswrapper.

NOTHING. No lights... the card is not working. Can anyone help me get this card working using the HD install'ed version of DSL, instead of just the LiveCD?

Posted by quirky on Jan. 20 2006,23:08

Maybe you need to reinstall the INF/SYS files? You installed it when "live" but perhaps it wasn't copied to /etc/ndiswrapper when you did the install?

Posted by PastorEd on Jan. 21 2006,00:33

I GOT IT!!!

(warning - this explanation could be dead wrong, but it works for me)

Okay, the *problem* was something to do with the kernel. I came across an entry in the ndiswrapper.sourceforge page that mentioned that certain cards had difficulties with pre-emptible kernels.

So... I booted up my HD install, and instead of doing a plain

Code Sample

# modprobe ndiswrapper

I did

Code Sample

# modprobe ndiswrapper preempt=no

and TA-DAH!
Lights, Pump -i wlan0, Action!

I posted this here to see if it would help anyone else.