Geek help wanted: binaries of Linux 2.6.7 and matching ndiswrapper.

[reddragdiva]

I could learn to be a Linux kernel hacking geek or I could go mad with a fucking axe and just put Win2k on this damned laptop. Instead I shall ask my friends list for a single useful thing (well, a matched set of two): a binary — not source — of Linux kernel 2.6.7 and matching ndiswrapper driver. Suitable for Debian or Ubuntu. I want to see if this will work on the accursed laptop (which is likely broken with any 2.6.8 or later kernel until a suitable patch is both written and accepted).

I don't know how to mess around with tweaking and/or compiling my own kernel and don't want to. I can do that once I have something working to start with. Does what I am asking for exist?

I have an epic novel of a personal life entry to write as well. It'll probably just go up in sketchy note form, but you know how it is.

Comments

[zey.livejournal.com]

1. Download the latest CDROM disk 1 image of Debian. Write it and boot from it.
2. At the menu, hit F3. There's a 2.6 kernel install option for rescue and install (IIRC) and the system will let you install whatever additional modules you need.

If 2.6.7 or later isn't in Stable, it's almost certainly in Testing.

[zotz]

2.6.8 is in testing, which probably isn't much use to him. Stable's got 2.4.something.

[theemptied.livejournal.com]

The latest Woody(stable) kernel is 2.4.29. 2.6.x has glibc dependencies that cannot be be backported, and rolling that glibc into Woody would be a foul thing (and certainly not Stable :) Besides which, you don't want a 2.7- odd minor release numbers in the kernel are beta versions, with the even number being the stable.

You said it worked in the previous post, but stopped working? I am guessing you need to insmod/modprobe that wrapper back into the kernel.

That said, there's an easy upgrade path if you are on woody (and on any workstation, much less a laptop, Woody will drive you crazy. Simply edit your /etc/apt/sources, replace all instances of "woody" or "stable" with "sarge", then "apt-get update; apt-get dist-upgrade". Grab a coffee (or perhaps a bag of coffee beans in Sumatra depending on your connection) and reboot the box when it is all done. Then "apt-get install kernel-image-(whatevers_appropriate_for_your_box) and you should be golden.

If it's Ubuntu, I don't know how different that is. It's "Based on Debian" the way most movies are "Based on a true story".


~Ben

[mjg59.livejournal.com]

I'm in London on Saturday. Would you like me to stare at your laptop for a while?

[reddragdiva]

Could do! Part of the fun part is that the only way to get anything onto it at present is via CD or floppy ...

[mjg59.livejournal.com]

Oh, we have the technology to deal with that. I'll let you know where I am a bit nearer the time...

[reddragdiva]

Cool. Thank you :-)

[mjg59.livejournal.com]

Any suggestions for somewhere reasonably central (I need to get to Heathrow by 9:30pm or so), preferably with beer and not averse to the sight of laptops? I'll probably be free from 3 or so...

[reddragdiva]

Anything convenient to the Piccadilly or Victoria lines should be just fine. Gi's a call earlier on (home number - mobile is out of credit and probably not taking calls) and let me know what I should bring, e.g. CD drive, floppy drive, etc. I expect I should charge the laptop ...

[mjg59.livejournal.com]

Shall we say the Porterhouse at about 4:30? I'll ring to confirm in a bit.

[reddragdiva]

Sounds ideal :-)

[ickle-yuki.livejournal.com]

I could compile/build a package of a kernel for Ubuntu (i'm running 2.6.10 on my laptop and xp1800 at present without problems).

Not sure if theres still source packages to build from for Ubuntu for 2.6.7 mind, should be on debian (but that'd take a bit longer as its an old pii/350 (dual)).

If you've already got a config that you've been playing with, email it to me and i can use that as a starting point to speed it up if you like.

[hserus.livejournal.com]

What is it you need in 2.6.7 - the 16kstacks kernel patch you need for ndiswrapper? You can apply that to higher versions of the linux kernel without fears of a crash and burn.. I was using it on 2.6.9 before Intel finally released usable centrino drivers for linux

[reddragdiva]

As per the linked post, the problem appears to be that the crappy TI CardBus controller goes batshit when any kernel past 2.6.8 tries to reset it. Remedies at this stage appear to be: (a) wait for a patch for this hardware to make it in; (b) use an earlier kernel. The laptop is a Thinkpad 560X from 1997, 1998 or so, so an earlier 2.6 or a 2.4 should be just fine with everything else on it. (I know 2.4 is okay, actually, because I was running a crusty Debian on one of the same model last year just fine. But Ubuntu is t3h sh1ny so we want to use that!)

[wintrmute.livejournal.com]

If you dropped the laptop off at my house, I'd be willing to have a shot at fixing it, both with a recent kernel (f34r my m4d h4x0r skills) or just a plain old but working one..