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I currently have an Ubuntu Jaunty setup using a Netgear Wg111T usb adapter that craps out regularly and also has to be disconnected during boot up. It's annoying enough that I'd like to get a new one.

I'd like one that just works (rather than ndiswrapper) so I can support hardware manufacturers who are Linux friendly.

Any recommendations for wireless usb adapters commonly available in the UK?

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Out of curiosity, which adapter did you settle for? – nagul Sep 24 '09 at 23:42
I gave up. It isn't the adapters. It's the truckload of bugs in ubuntu's wireless (un)support. – srboisvert Oct 5 '09 at 16:41

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+50

You might find http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/products/wireless/ a useful resource. A friend of mine bought one from there for use with a Linux laptop and has had no problems with it. Not the cheapest, but you've got more guarantee of decent Linux support than you'll get elsewhere.

Edit: One thing to be aware of when following specific recommendations is that it is not unusual for two devices with exactly the same model number (and sometimes no other easily identifiable differences) to have different versions of the chipset and it can be that one works well with Linux and the other doesn't reliably (or at all). Worse, it is not unheard of for externally identical (including model numbers) devices to have different chipsets altogether.

If you do end up buying a device online that should work will with Linux (as per someone's recommendation) but doesn't, remember your right to a cooling off period of seven days from receiving the goods during which you can get a full refund. See this recent BBC article, and this one too, for some detail on that.

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Consider before you buy another adapter that there may be improved drivers for your old one in Ubuntu 9.10 as there will be an updated Kernel. – PixelSmack Sep 16 '09 at 21:13
I can't wait a month. – srboisvert Oct 5 '09 at 16:49
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You could throw caution to the wind a little and try the beta. – David Spillett Oct 5 '09 at 22:21
Just tried it on a laptop and it worked instantly with the built in adapter. Now I just have to figure out how to get it to upgrade from a CD and I'll try it on the desktop in question. – srboisvert Oct 6 '09 at 12:09
The easiest way may be to take a full backup of the machine in question and do an in-place upgrade. I believe the GUI tools support this operation though I've never done it under Ubuntu (going from release to release in Debian using the command line tools has proven reliable for me in the past and the process should be pretty similar). – David Spillett Oct 6 '09 at 18:22
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if you want to be absolutely specific?

http://www.edimax.com/en/produce%5Fdetail.php?pd%5Fid=8&pl1%5Fid=1&pl2%5Fid=44

ralink RT73 based (supported out of the box on at least intrepid and jaunty), and of course, detachable antennae, in case.

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Ultimately this is what ended up working. I actually met one the guys who works at the Linux Emporium (it is in the same city as me) at a Ruby User Group meeting and he gave me one. Worked instantly. – srboisvert Feb 25 '10 at 12:24
up vote 0 down vote

I think using ndiswrapper utility isnt that bad

Great if you find a better solution than mine, But if u HAVE to use ndiswrapper NETGEAR WG111 is a great option. I see u use WG111 already, maybe it crashes bcos of a bad driver.

Try this one...

get the zip file from : ndis drivers for wg111

NOTE : dont use the .inf file in the mother folder, instead find the correct .inf file in the ndis5 folder

thats it

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