scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:~$ cat /var/log/syslog | grep ndis
Mar 12 11:36:57 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  704.664777] ndiswrapper version 1.57 loaded (smp=yes, preempt=no)
Mar 12 11:36:57 scott-Inspiron-1750 loadndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(343): couldn't find valid drivers files for driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:36:57 scott-Inspiron-1750 adndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(364): couldn't load driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:36:57 scott-Inspiron-1750 loadndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(364): couldn't load driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:39:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  840.432248]  [<ffffffffa02e7d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:39:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  840.432276]  [<ffffffffa02f7377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:39:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  840.432318]  [<ffffffffa02f7e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:39:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  840.432433]  [<ffffffffa02e92ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:39:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  840.432452]  [<ffffffffa032a073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:41:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  960.432147]  [<ffffffffa02e7d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:41:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  960.432163]  [<ffffffffa02f7377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:41:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  960.432186]  [<ffffffffa02f7e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:41:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  960.432256]  [<ffffffffa02e92ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:41:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  960.432267]  [<ffffffffa032a073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:43:12 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [   82.218624] ndiswrapper version 1.57 loaded (smp=yes, preempt=no)
Mar 12 11:43:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 loadndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(343): couldn't find valid drivers files for driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:43:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 adndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(364): couldn't load driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:43:13 scott-Inspiron-1750 loadndisdriver: loadndisdriver: load_driver(364): couldn't load driver bcmwlhigh5
Mar 12 11:45:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  240.440317]  [<ffffffffa02f2d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:45:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  240.440347]  [<ffffffffa0302377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:45:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  240.440389]  [<ffffffffa0302e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:45:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  240.440532]  [<ffffffffa02f42ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:45:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  240.440552]  [<ffffffffa0335073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:47:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  360.440347]  [<ffffffffa02f2d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:47:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  360.440375]  [<ffffffffa0302377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:47:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  360.440417]  [<ffffffffa0302e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:47:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  360.440533]  [<ffffffffa02f42ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:47:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  360.440551]  [<ffffffffa0335073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:49:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  480.440423]  [<ffffffffa02f2d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:49:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  480.440452]  [<ffffffffa0302377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:49:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  480.440493]  [<ffffffffa0302e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:49:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  480.440608]  [<ffffffffa02f42ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:49:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  480.440627]  [<ffffffffa0335073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:51:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  600.440246]  [<ffffffffa02f2d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:51:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  600.440275]  [<ffffffffa0302377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:51:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  600.440316]  [<ffffffffa0302e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:51:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  600.440431]  [<ffffffffa02f42ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:51:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  600.440449]  [<ffffffffa0335073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:53:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  720.440210]  [<ffffffffa02f2d48>] load_wrap_driver+0x138/0x1f0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:53:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  720.440231]  [<ffffffffa0302377>] wrap_pnp_start_device+0x37/0x1e0 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:53:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  720.440263]  [<ffffffffa0302e1f>] wrap_pnp_start_usb_device+0xef/0x120 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:53:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  720.440350]  [<ffffffffa02f42ab>] loader_init+0xbb/0x150 [ndiswrapper]
Mar 12 11:53:51 scott-Inspiron-1750 kernel: [  720.440364]  [<ffffffffa0335073>] wrapper_init+0x73/0x1000 [ndiswrapper]
------------------------------
scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:~$ sudo dpkg -s dkms
Package: dkms
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: kernel
Installed-Size: 339
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Architecture: all
Version: 2.2.0.3-1ubuntu3
Depends: module-init-tools, gcc, make | build-essential | dpkg-dev, coreutils (>= 7.4), patch
Recommends: fakeroot, menu | sudo, linux-headers-generic-pae | linux-headers-686-pae | linux-headers-amd64 | linux-headers-generic | linux-headers, linux-image
Conffiles:
 /etc/dkms/framework.conf 4e72dd99504978161b561f69256c1696
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/README.Debian 6707f5716bc3a2d65fa1b05d81ba8add
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/changelog f14e36c92f14270163eb20fa883d463e
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/compat 84bc3da1b3e33a18e8d5e1bdd7a18d7a
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/control 932cd11859c7c153a8c458325e74497f
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/copyright de471e376ba2c3886424b5c4649c42d6
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/dirs ea7a90f4a1be2e0054c3d4920c29e33f
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/postinst 205c51f28c7327c0d13f5891fac55d04
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/prerm e7c0c39003edb2255d22a775efa907e5
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/debian/rules c385ec9e8f6c6745ad9b9665c38cbd84
 /etc/dkms/template-dkms-mkdeb/Makefile d97acaeba72f667d3eb69695e9018243
 /etc/bash_completion.d/dkms fbb05514b62b89752809c57964679b3b
 /etc/kernel/prerm.d/dkms 97139ec74350d65636320b76a11b1f47
 /etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms fa05cd89316f042b4ed12090e5aad896
 /etc/kernel/header_postinst.d/dkms fa05cd89316f042b4ed12090e5aad896
 /etc/modprobe.d/dkms.conf 74452a1f23577a0bb30d764a895429d0
Description: Dynamic Kernel Module Support Framework
 DKMS is a framework designed to allow individual kernel modules to be upgraded
 without changing the whole kernel. It is also very easy to rebuild modules as
 you upgrade kernels.
Homepage: http://linux.dell.com/dkms
Original-Maintainer: Dynamic Kernel Modules Support Team <pkg-dkms-maint@lists.alioth.debian.org>
------------------------------------------------
scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:~$ sudo dpkg -s ndisgtk
Package: ndisgtk
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: net
Installed-Size: 864
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Architecture: amd64
Version: 0.8.5-1
Depends: python (>= 2.4), ndiswrapper-utils-1.9, python-gtk2, python-glade2
Description: graphical frontend for ndiswrapper (installation of Windows WiFi drivers)
 ndisgtk is a GTK+ based frontend for ndiswrapper, allowing an easy way to
 install Windows wireless drivers.
Original-Maintainer: Julian Andres Klode <jak@debian.org>
Homepage: http://jak-linux.org/projects/ndisgtk/
-------------------------------------------------
scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:~$ sudo dpkg -s ndiswrapper-common
Package: ndiswrapper-common
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: misc
Installed-Size: 71
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Architecture: all
Source: ndiswrapper
Version: 1.57-1ubuntu1
Replaces: ndiswrapper-utils
Suggests: ndiswrapper-source
Description: Common scripts required to use the utilities for ndiswrapper
 Some vendors do not release specifications of the hardware or provide a
 Linux driver for their wireless network cards. This project implements
 Windows kernel API and NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) API
 within Linux kernel. A Windows driver for wireless network card is then
 linked to this implementation so that the driver runs natively, as though
 it is in Windows, without binary emulation.
 .
 This package contains wrapper scripts to call out to the proper
 versions of whatever -utils-X.X package is installed.
Original-Maintainer: Julian Andres Klode <jak@debian.org>
Homepage: http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/
----------------------------------------------------
scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:~$ sudo dpkg -s ndiswrapper-dkms
Package: ndiswrapper-dkms
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: kernel
Installed-Size: 760
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Architecture: all
Source: ndiswrapper
Version: 1.57-1ubuntu1
Depends: dkms (>= 2.1.0.0)
Description: Source for the ndiswrapper Linux kernel module (DKMS)
 Some vendors do not release specifications of the hardware or provide a
 Linux driver for their wireless network cards. This project implements
 Windows kernel API and NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) API
 within Linux kernel. A Windows driver for wireless network card is then
 linked to this implementation so that the driver runs natively, as though
 it is in Windows, without binary emulation.
 .
 This package provides the source code for ndiswrapper kernel module to be
 build with dkms.
Original-Maintainer: Julian Andres Klode <jak@debian.org>
Homepage: http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/
----------------------------------------------------------
this one seems to be the problem but no idea as to how to fix it. here is what I tried:

scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:/media/9016-4EF8$ sudo dpkg -r ndiswrapper-utils
dpkg: warning: there's no installed package matching ndiswrapper-utils

scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:/media/9016-4EF8$ sudo dpkg -i ndiswrapper-utils-1.9_1.57-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb
(Reading database ... 254030 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace ndiswrapper-utils-1.9 1.57-1ubuntu1 (using ndiswrapper-utils-1.9_1.57-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement ndiswrapper-utils-1.9 ...
Setting up ndiswrapper-utils-1.9 (1.57-1ubuntu1) ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...

scott@scott-Inspiron-1750:/media/9016-4EF8$ sudo dpkg -s ndiswrapper-utils
Package `ndiswrapper-utils' is not installed and no info is available.
Use dpkg --info (= dpkg-deb --info) to examine archive files,
and dpkg --contents (= dpkg-deb --contents) to list their contents.