How to install a wireless desktop card on Ubuntu 8.04?

Question

I just switched a desktop of mine (it's not my main computer, and it's going to my sister) to Linux, but she wants to put in a new Netgear wireless desktop card, but I don't know how to install the software for it (it doesn't have internet to begin with, by the way) and am wondering how I'm supposed to get this thing installed.

ps I have not put the card in yet.

Answer 1

Go to the Unbuntu forums and see if the wireless card is supported. Wireless is quite "iffy" with Linux because so many of the drivers are proprietary. If the card is supported, go to the manufacturers site to get the files and the installation instructions. If not, your sister will have to be satisfied with a wired connection. Unlike wireless, nearly all wired Ethernet cards are supported by Linux

Answer 2

The good news is that Ubuntu DOES support a ton of wireless cards - out of the box so to speak.. Here is a list of supported netgear cards

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Hardwa...

If yours isn't on the list, you can always use the ndiswrapper which allows windows drivers to run under linux.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDo...

Has the directions for this.

If you don't have internet on the unit, I would download the drivers to a USB stick and install them!