Ubuntu v7.10 Gutsy Gibbon and how to install the Realtek RTL8168C/8111C Family PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC

I have been a fan of the Linux Ubuntu system since first trying it at the back end of last year. The principle behind it, was that I didn't like Windows Vista and Windows XP was coming to the end of its product lifecycle as per Microsoft policy.

I have tried a few versions called distributions (or distros for short) but Ubuntu is my favourite and appears in my favourite free software page here. However, when switching to my new machine, the Realtek ethernet driver didn't work with Ubuntu, or any other Linux distros. The only way to use the internet with Linux was to connect it to USB, which I reserve on the other side of the room with my laptop.

After weeks of frustration, I found a fix, as follows. I can confirm it will work with v7.10 only, as I haven't tried it on previous version, or the new version 8.10 which is available in April. I would like to thank the very kind support of the Ubuntu community forums for helping me resolve this issue:


1. Download the latest driver from Realtek from here. We shall assume that the version you just downloaded is r8168-8.005.00. If not, change the file names that follow in these instructions appropriate to the name of the download.

2. Copy the downloaded file to the Ubuntu Desktop

3. Right click the file and extract it to the Desktop

4. Open a terminal by Menu -> Accessories -> Terminal

Note: all commands are preceded by the $ symbol and a space. When pasting into the terminal, do not include them (note - to paste into the terminal, hold down Ctrl and Shift, then press v). I don't know if point 14 is needed, but thought it best to leave it in - it won't harm your computer.

5. $ cd Desktop

6. $ sudo mv r8168-8.005.00 /usr/src

7. $ cd /usr/src/r8168-8.005.00

9. $ sudo make clean modules

10. $ sudo make install

11. $ sudo depmod -a

12. $ sudo insmod ./src/r8168.ko

13. $ cd /etc/modprobe.d

14. $ sudo touch blacklist-network

15. $ sudo gedit blacklist-network

16. This opens up a notepad like program. In this, type the words "blacklist r8169" (without quotes) and save then exit the program

17. $ sudo update-initramfs -u #to make the change permanent

18. $ sudo reboot

Step 18 reboots the computer so if you dual boot, select Ubuntu and wait for it to boot up, then test the internet connection (ie, open Firefox and go to a website).

I'm no expert, but with each Linux kernel update, you may have to do the above again, so it may be best to copy and paste the above into a file for later use.

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