Ndiswrapper Module Failing To Load

Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

Hello,

Shortly after my installation of Gentoo I found out my Broadcom wifi card wasn't supported. So I decided to install ndiswrapper. Unfortunately when I modprobe ndiswrapper it gives me a fatal error and fails to load.

Here are some snippets from bash to provide information on my issue.

Kernel: 2.6.24-gentoo-r8
Build: x86_64 (amd64)

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

2.6.24.x kernels DO NOT support ndiswrapper! If you (or anyone else) doesn't believe me, read THIS article and THIS one as well. Ndiswrapper works best with the .22 kernel family, and it works fairly well with .25. However, .23 and .24 kernels don't like ndiswrapper.

So, my suggestions are:
1) retry setting up ndiswrapper with a .22 kernel (2.6.22.19 or 2.6.22-gentoo-r10). Be sure to point the /usr/src/linux symlink to that version of the kernel (ln -s -T /usr/src/linux-2.6.22.19 /usr/src/linux, for instance).

2) once it is functional with the .22 kernel, upgrade to a .25 kernel and retry. The .25 kernel supports ndiswrapper, but not as well as the .22 kernels.

3) cross your fingers that the kernel devs decide to put the full version of the code from the .22 kernel that really makes ndiswrapper work well back into the next .25 kernel, or the next new kernel currently in development.

Good luck.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

I have downgraded the kernel to 2.6.22-gentoo-r10 and attempted to reinstall ndisawrapper. I get the same error while modprobing and the same dmesg error.

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:17 am Post subject:

Ok, first of all, unmerge ndiswrapper. Secondly, clear out the /etc/nidswrapper directory and delete it. Third, make sure that your /usr/src/linux points to the /usr/src/linux-2.6.22-gentoo-r10. You probably already have, but it never hurts to recheck your work. Fourth, enter USE="debug" emerge -av ndiswrapper. That will give you better debugging info. Then reinstall your Windows drivers. Fifth, Instead of modprobing have the module autoload.

If you have baselayout-2, you autoload modules by adding them to the /etc/conf.d/modules file. If you have baselayout-1.x, add ndiswrapper to the /etc/modules.autoload.d/kernel-2.6 file.

To make sure things run as well as can be expected, for the time being, turn off encryption (WPA or WEP) at your access point so that's one less level of trouble through which you have to wade. Finally, make sure you've linked /etc/init.d/net.lo as /etc/init.d/net.wlan0 (ln -s /etc/init.d/net.lo /etc/init.d/net.wlan0). Reboot and retry.

Let me know what happens once you do this.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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AllenJB · Veteran Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 1285

This error indicates that you're probably missing a required feature in your kernel. Indeed a quick google ("ndiswrapper wireless_send_event") leads me to the Ndiswrapper faq which says:
If you get the compilation error Unknown symbol: wireless_send_event, you will need to enable the CONFIG_NET_RADIO option and recompile your kernel or find a kernel with this option already enabled.

While CONFIG_NET_RADIO no longer exists in 2.6.24+, a bit of googling reveals that this appears to have changed to CONFIG_WIRELESS_EXT.

In "make menuconfig" (in /usr/src/linux) type "/" to go into search mode, then type "WIRELESS_EXT", then press enter. This will show you the location of the option (in my 2.6.25 it's in Networking -> Networking support -> Wireless). Make sure that this module is enabled (you probably want it built in to the kernel (*)).

Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

I had CONFIG_WIRELESS_EXT loaded in my 2.6.24-gentoo-r8 Kernel

I searched for "NET_RADIO" in my 2.6.22-gentoo-r10 kernel and found nothing; CONFIG_WIRELESS_EXT is enabled

Pappy, Im about to attempt your fixes...get back to you in a second

EDIT:

Results - NDISwrapper failed to load

dmesg: ndiswrapper: Unknown symbol wireless_send_event

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

Please post your .22 config. I'll compare it with mine, and send it back.\

Thanks

Blessed be!
Pappy
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Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

2.6.22-gentoo-r10 Kernel .config

Tad sparse...quickly configured .22 kernel to see if I could get wifi up

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:15 am Post subject:

Ok, first things first, even if you're doing a "quickie" kernel-wise, it's a lot better if you run make oldconfig to make sure your .config properly fits the kernel you're trying to compile.

Now, with that out of the way, here's the .config I made for you. It mirrors mine in the wireless department. And yes, you do need to do a bit of tweaking once you get things up and running. The file is only up for a month.

Good luck.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

Same error using your configuration file.

Steps:
-Compiled Kernel with your configuration file
-Rebooted
-Unmerged NDISwrapper
-Deleted /etc/ndiswrapper
-Emerged NDISwrapper
-Installed bcmwl5.inf (ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf)
-Rebooted
-On boot module ndiswrapper failed to load
-tail -f /var/log/syslog shows: "Jun 4 09:48:18 Osmosis kernel: ndiswrapper: Unknown symbol wireless_send_event"

Perhaps I should attempt to update my kernel to .25; an emerge -s gentoo-sources shows

Latest version available: 2.6.25-r4
Latest version installed: 2.6.22-r10

That 2.6.25-r4 is out

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

Ok, the only thing I have left in my bag of tricks is a different Windoze driver. I found this driver in another thread. See if it will do the job.

Crossing fingers!

Blessed be!
Pappy
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Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

/me Admits defeat.

ndiswrapper: Unknown symbol wireless_send_event

Why

I'll try upgrading to 2.6.25 I suppose but beyond that....Ill just have to wait for the b43 driver to support my card

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

The only other option would be to get a card that is more Linux compatible, assuming you have the ability to change cards.

The Atheros chipset is fairly well supported by Linux, at least if reading the forums and lack of problems with Atheros adapters has any meaning. If you want to stay Broadcom (which, after as burned as you've been with this one, you probably don't), the linksys WPC54G (PCMCIA) uses the 4318, which means it also runs with the b43 module, or ndiswrapper.

If you can't change cards, then, unfortunately, you will have to wait.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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Ktravaglini · n00b Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 34

Yea Ill change cards if I can find the money for it...I will never buy _ANYTHING_ from broadcom again

For other users with this issue: 2.6.26-gentoo-r4 didn't help but try it anyway...maybe my hardware is just funky

EDIT-UPDATE:

I have successfully gotten NDISwrapper working with 2.6.25-gentoo-r4!!!