Installing the WiFi Driver (for RTL8192SU)

[Tux_2008]

(Ubuntu 9.10 32-bit)

Hi,

I recently purchased a USB wireless receiver that uses the Realtek RTL8192SU chipset. After searching and not finding a Linux wireless driver I emailed Realtek, and they sent me the correct Linux driver (I've uploaded the .zip HERE).

I've tried following the (to me somewhat confusing) readme file, but I can't figure out how to install the driver.

Could you please show a complete beginner what I'm supposed to do, as I seem to be too thick-headed to understand how this install is supposed to be done?

All help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[K.J.]

This doesn't quite answer your question, but a much simpler (although certainly not better) method is to use ndiswrapper (ndisgtk is the GUI) to install the Windows driver. You'll need WINE installed because it comes packaged as an exe. Run the .exe and make note of where the files are extracted to (most likely /home/username/.wine/drive_c/DRIVERS).

You then use ndisgtk to install the .inf file for your adapter.

[Methuselah]

This might help you since it has pictures even a screencast.
http://amitech.50webs.com/installing...hp.html#source

[themusicalduck]

Before doing anything with ndiswrapper or any other file. Have you checked under System > Administration > Hardware Drivers for a downloadable driver?

[Tux_2008]

This might help you since it has pictures even a screencast.
http://amitech.50webs.com/installing...hp.html#source

Hi, thanks for the link! Unfortunately, this does not seem to work for me, "./configure" doesn't give any response, and while 'make' and 'make install' do work; it doesn't seem to install the driver (at least it doesn't recognize any wireless networks). Perhaps something must be set-up or configured beforehand manually, as the "./configure" step didn't do anything? The link is very useful though, I'll be keeping it in my bookmarks, thanks!

Before doing anything with ndiswrapper or any other file. Have you checked under System > Administration > Hardware Drivers for a downloadable driver?

Hi, thanks for the reply, there are drivers for my Nvidia graphics card but not for the wireless.

This doesn't quite answer your question, but a much simpler (although certainly not better) method is to use ndiswrapper (ndisgtk is the GUI) to install the Windows driver. You'll need WINE installed because it comes packaged as an exe. Run the .exe and make note of where the files are extracted to (most likely /home/username/.wine/drive_c/DRIVERS).

You then use ndisgtk to install the .inf file for your adapter.

Hi, thanks for the tip with ndisgtk and ndiswrapper, the wireless does work this way, but if at all possible I'm attempting to get the native drivers to work primarily, as ndiswrapper/ndisgtk have quite many limitations of usage. But certainly a backup solution, thanks!

[Natasha D]

Ok so the thing is that I'm a complete linux noob! And I need to get my wireless adapter working soon, or I face losing out on internet!
Yeah, so I have no idea where to even begin with the installation process for these drivers!
Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!

[joshruehlig]

natasha what is your chipset/wireless card model? (example this thread was about rtl8192su)

Do u have the install cd or a manual that came with ur card?

what do u get when u type "lsusb" in the terminal? (menu>accessories>terminal)

[anewguy]

Ok so the thing is that I'm a complete linux noob! And I need to get my wireless adapter working soon, or I face losing out on internet!
Yeah, so I have no idea where to even begin with the installation process for these drivers!
Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!

Being a complete noob, let's try to get you started. Please do the following and post the outputs back here:

- open a terminal window -> Applications/Accessories/Terminal

- if your adapter is a USB device, or if your PC is a laptop, type:

lsusb <press enter> This asks Ubuntu to list (ls) the known USB devices on the system.

- if your adapter is not USB, or if your PC is a laptop or desktop:

lshw <press enter> This asks Ubuntu to list (ls) the known hardware devices on the system. This will create quite a long list, so look for something similar to the following and copy only that section. Note that yours will look different mainly look for the "Wireless interface".

        *-network:0
             description: Wireless interface
             product: 88w8335 [Libertas] 802.11b/g Wireless
             vendor: Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
             physical id: 7
             bus info: pci@0000:00:07.0
             logical name: wlan0
             version: 03
             serial: 00:1e:2a:46:a8:b4
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 66MHz
             capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
             configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ndiswrapper+wg311v3 driverversion=1.55+NETGEAR,12/30/2005,3.2.3.2 ip=10.0.0.3 latency=32 multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11g
             resources: irq:18 memory:cffe0000-cffeffff memory:cffb0000-cffbffff

The reason for doing both:

- if using an external USB adapter, or on some laptops where the internal wireless card is connected to internal USB (you won't even know it), the lsusb will give us the information

- the lshw will show what driver, if any, is being used, if the device is "claimed" or not and other features.


Dave

[joshruehlig]

haha i was dumb only suggesting lsusb, i forgot most people arent even using usb. ive been using usb for a few months now with my setup so i forgot

[Natasha D]

haha i was dumb only suggesting lsusb, i forgot most people arent even using usb. ive been using usb for a few months now with my setup so i forgot

Hey, thanks guys,
It was a usb device, but it wasn't mine, and it was too frustrating to deal with, so I returned it to its rightful owner..

I do however still need a wireless adapter (preferably a pcmia one) that will work (more or less out of the box) with ubuntu (v. 10.04), so if you have any suggestions, could you please let me know?!

I really like ubuntu so far, and I'm hoping to not have to switch back to windows cuz of internet issues ..