I've recently had the challange of installing Ubuntu on my Laptop.  The main issue was that the kernal on the install CD does not recognise the ethernet adapter, and subsequently dies on running modprobe.

After googleing around, I eventually found the solution on a Russian web page (http://planeta.rambler.ru/users/crowfish/45208465.html).

Here are the instructions in English:

1. Boot up Ubuntu off the install disk

Before beginning, turn off LAN through BIOS  (press F2 with the start, to find LAN - Disable)

2. Download a modified driver for the wireless network.

You will need the help of a USB drive and another computer to complete this step.

Download the driver from here http://linux.toshiba-dme.co.jp/linux/eng/pc/x/rtl8187b-modified-804.tar.gz.

Copy the file to the Ubuntu machine.

3. Unpack and to copy into the root /wifi:

tar - xvzf rtl8187b-modified-804.tar.gz

sudo of mkdir /wifi

cd of rtl8187b-modified

sudo cp - R * /wifi

cd /wifi

Write down the last 4 numbers and to correct 2 files:

/wifi/rtl8187/r8187_core.c
/wifi/rtl8187/r8187_core.c.orig

you need to find references to 0x8189 and to replace by our 4 numbers - for me these are 0x8198

nano -w /wifi/rtl8187/r8187_core.c (search by pressing control w)

 

nano -w /wifi/rtl8187/r8187_core.c.orig (search by pressing control w)

There should be two references in each file.

cd /wifi
sudo ./makedrv
sudo ./wlan0up

6. Now make the wireless run during your next boott

Add these lines into the file /etc/rc.local before the line of exit 0:

nano -w /etc/rc.local

/wifi/wlan0up

ifconfig wlan0 up

dhclient wlan0

exit 0

Add 2 lines in /etc/network/interfaces

sudo nano -w /etc/network/interfaces

auto lo

iface lo inet loopback

pre-up /wifi/wlan0up

Post -down /wifi/wlan0down

6. Install the latest kernal using the update manager

7. Reboot the computer and reenable the LAN in bios