Ndiswrapper

Overview

When no native linux driver is available for a wireless device, you can try using ndiswrapper and installing the windows drivers instead. The easiest way to do this is by using the ndisgtk utility.

Procedure

Ndiswrapper and ndisgtk are both included with the default freekbox install. To install a windows driver go to System>Administration>Windows Wireless Drivers and find the drivers INF file. If you have the proper driver, ndisgtk will tell you the hardware was found.

Finding and using the driver

Search for the make and model of the device using google and download the windows drivers from the manufactures website. If it is a zip or other type of compressed file extract the files (right click>extract here). If the driver is only available as an .exe then install wine and hope that it will run. Usually when a driver comes as an exe it includes additional software which is not needed once the driver is installed in ndiswrapper. You can uninstall wine if you wish once the drvier is in use.

Ubuntu Documentation

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper