Monday, February 12, 2007

Install Netgear WG111v2 USB device on Ubuntu 6.10

Install Netgear WG111v2 USB device on Ubuntu 6.10, kernel 2.6.17-10-generic

Get a printable version by clicking here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd7ng25p_19fq5cw4

Notes: (last updated February 12, 2007)

  • This setup will work with WEP secure networks but will not work with WPA secure networks. It might work, but I haven't gotten that far with all this yet.

  • The package 'wpasupplicant' and/or 'linuxant' and/or 'driverloader' goes beyond the scope of this example.

  • This same procedure can be used with the Linksys WPC54g card, but so far I haven't been able to get mine to work. The hardware seems to be there but I can't get it to connect.


Sources: These are some links to pages that I found a lot of this help on. This page was written in a way that makes the most sense to me. Try these links if you get stuck.

Link #1:
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-netgear-wg111v2-wireless-dongle-card-on-ubuntu-edgy.html

Link #2:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=212365


Link #3:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=51993


After installing, customizing Ubuntu,.. do this


  1. Enable logging in as root

  • Login with your user account

  • Go to System>Administration>Users and Groups

  • Select 'root' and click on 'properties'

  • Change root password and click Ok and then close the following window.

  • Go to System>Administration>Login Window (enter your user account password)

  • Click on the 'Security' tab and put a check by the 'Allow local system administrator login' and then click the close button.


  1. Install ndiswrapper

  • Go to System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager

  • Select the 'All' section and then scroll down to find 2 packages:

    • ndiswrapper-common

    • ndiswrapper-utils-1.8

  • Click on each one to 'mark' then for installation. Make sure it's only those two that end up being checked then click on the 'Apply' button on top. Let these packages install and when it's finished, close the window.

  1. Check to make sure ndiswrapper is installed

If any of these seem to work, then you'll know ndiswrapper is installed.

If errors come up, then too bad. Try again.


shows help for this command
# ndiswrapper -?

shows a listing of Windows drivers that are installed

# ndiswrapper -l


  1. Install Network Manager

  • Go to Applications>Add/Remove...>Internet. Put a check next to 'Network Manager' then click the 'Apply' button. When this is done, close the window and reboot.

  • Once the system comes back up and you login again, take a look in the upper tray (where the clock is). You should see an icon that looks like two small computer screens. If it's there, then you are good, move forward. If not, then too bad. Try again.


  1. Now for the fun part. Let's get some drivers installed and configured. Follow this sequence precisely and you should be golden.


  • First, download, unzip and put the correct windows driver in a folder in your home directory. You can get it from here: http://kbserver.netgear.com/release_notes/D102843.asp

  • Here is an example of where my driver ended up: /home/myhomedirectory/MyWifi/NetGearWG111v2/WIN98

  • Once you have the driver set like my example above, proceed (my example below assumes there are no errors as you move through this):

  • launch a terminal window


# su root (login as root. it should prompt you for your root passwd.)

# cd /home/myhomedirectory/MyWifi/NetGearWG111v2/WIN98

# ndiswrapper -i net111v2.inf

# depmod –a

# modprobe ndiswrapper

# ndiswrapper –m

# gedit /etc/modules (add the word 'ndiswrapper' to the botton of the page. save it.)


  • reboot

  • Once the machine is booted back up, login again.

  • Launch your terminal window again.

  • Plugin your Netgear device

  • Then type the following:


# ndiswrapper -l


you should see something like the following

Installed drivers:

lsbcmnds driver installed

net111v2 driver installed


# iwconfig


you should see a 'wlan0' section. If it's there, then the device is installed properly. if not, then something went wrong.


# iwlist wlan0 scan


this will display a listing of wifi networks in the area


# dhclient wlan0


this will obtain an ip address


  • At this point you can left-click on the Network Manager and you should see a list of wireless networks in your area. Choose one and try to connect to it.

This post will be continued...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU! This did the trick for my stupid Netgear dongle :) I've tried them all, but this walkthrough was just PERFECT.

Guys like you is what make Linux the only way to go.

Sean said...

No prob! Glad to help.

Anonymous said...

Pffft! the need for such detailed instructions makes Linux something to avoided like the plague!

Unknown said...

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog post.


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Sean said...

Thanks so much! I haven't update it in awhile but been meaning to. Glad you enjoyed it!