Step 1: Stop ssb From Loading Before NDISwrapper

Make a script for NDISwrapper's fix

In a terminal type:

sudo gedit /etc/init.d/wirelessfix.sh

Paste this into the file:

#!/bin/bash

modprobe -r b44

modprobe -r b43

modprobe -r ssb

modprobe -r ndiswrapper

modprobe ndiswrapper

modprobe b44

Point the terminal to your init.d file and make your script exectuable:

In a terminal type:

cd /etc/init.d/ && sudo chmod 755 wirelessfix.sh

Update and make it stick:

In a terminal type:

sudo update-rc.d wirelessfix.sh defaults

Then reboot

In a terminal type:

sudo reboot

Step 2: Get Needed Packages

To install ndiswrapper

In a terminal type:

sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-utils-1.9 ndiswrapper-common

Get the Windows driver for your Dell 1501

In a terminal type:

wget http://ftp.us.dell.com/network/R140747.EXE

Step 3: Get Everything Ready

Now we will make a folder.

In a terminal type:

mkdir ~/.drivers

Now we will move R140747.EXE (the Dell driver), to the folder we just made.

In a terminal type:

mv ~/R140747.EXE ~/.drivers

STEP 4: Driver Setup

In order for us to unzip the R140747.EXE driver we need to point your terminal to the /.driver folder.

In a terminal type:

cd ~/.drivers

Unzip the R140747.EXE driver

In a terminal type:

unzip -a R140747.EXE

We need to point your terminal to the DRIVER folder we just unzipped

In a terminal type:

cd ~/.drivers/DRIVER

Step 5: Configure The Windows driver With NDISwrapper

Now install the Windows driver

In a terminal type:

sudo ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf

Then:

sudo ndiswrapper -l (that is a lowercase L)

You should see a message that says driver present, hardware detected.

Now finish installing the driver

In a terminal type:

sudo ndiswrapper -m

Then:

sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

YOU MUST REBOOT NOW!

In a terminal type:

sudo reboot

Step 6: Test Wireless

Your wifi light on your laptop should be illuminated. If not, you can always turn it on and off with the Fn+F2 (Function & F2 Key) and you're all set! Try running this to see if your wireless card is functioning properly.

In a terminal type:

sudo iwlist scanning

This way requires two-button mouse and keyboard. You should be logged in to your Gnome to use this tutorial.

Clicking means always a hit of primary (1st or left) mouse button when the cursor is in the requested target. Usage of secondary (2nd or right) mouse button will be declared when it is required.

The Basic Tutorial

1. Click your current background using the secondary (2nd or right) mouse button. You will get a menu
   
2. Click the entry called ”Change Desktop Background”. ”Appearance Preferences” window with “Background” tab on. Now it's up to you, what you want to do. If you want to use the backgrounds installed with your system:
   
3. Click the thumbnail you want to see on your desktop. You will see the preview on your desktop, behind the window.
   
4. If you want to keep it, click “Close” button. If it is not that you want, you can go back to the step 3 (a or b) and choose again. If you want to use your own image file as your desktop background (experimental):
   
5. Click “Add..” button.
   
6. Select the background image you want to use
   
7. You will see that image previewed on your desktop. 6..If you want to keep it, click “Close” button. If it is not that you want, you can go back to the step 3 (a or b) and choose again. I know, this article can be useless but someone can sort out something or find easier way to change the background image (=wallpaper).