"Deciding whether a particular computer is a good candidate for installing GNU/Linux can involve a nightmare of details about hardware compatibility. Nor is assembling a custom computer on which to run GNU/Linux any easier. In both cases, you need to evaluate video cards, sound cards, printers, scanners, digital camera, wireless cards, and mobile devices for compatibility with the operating system. Fortunately, help is available."
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Member since:2007-05-22
I've never had a problem getting ndiswrapper to work. What makes it difficult for some is that when you search the ndiswrapper website for your drivers there may be *several* versions for a "BCM 4318". It's a pain in the neck (because of the way the site set up the list) but you have to search the list *carefully* for the right version. I've never had any instability issues on my Pavillion, but mine was a slightly different (and older) model than yours. It also used the 4318, but probably not the same version.
BTW, I found the IPW2200 (for the Intel wireless chipset) to be a pain in my a$$, but after much Googling and cursing I found out what I did wrong. I just wish they'd make it a little more obvious, LOL!
Member since:2005-07-24
I find my 4318 to be quite stable on my Compaq Presario 2552US notebook with Ubuntu Feisty. Feisty is the first "just works" distro I have used for that card.
Well, I say "just works". But you do need to install the fw-cutter whatever. But that is *all* you have to do. During the install, apt asks if you want to retrieve and install the firmware. Say "yes" and you're done! Then just click on the NetWorkManager icon and select your network.
Member since:
2006-03-17
Every single thing works...
...except the wireless.
Woe, how forlorn I art. I just have to wait till they get the Broadcom 4318 working (it's "Unstable" at the moment).
But everything else works, lightscribe and all. Just...
...not...
...the most important feature. Yet.