Ok, so I finally managed to resolve my WiFi problems via an extra couple of hacks on the ndiswrapper tutorial. Though unfortunately my box still doesn't automatically recognise my wlan0 on boot up so each time I have to start up with

ifconfig wlan 10.0.1.4
route add default gw 10.0.1.1

to get internet access. I guess I can live with this. I also followed the How To on nVidia set up and have happily got that sorted - however a major flaw I'm now experiencing is some really weird keyboard/mouse behaviour. Unless I uncheck "enable keyboard repeat" on each individual log in on the machine (which in itself is a hassle cos it messes up scrolling etc), my cursor behaviour runs at a million miles an hour making it virtually impossible to make a key stroke behave as a single key stroke. I've changed all the speed settings in personal preferences but these make no difference - the only difference I can effect is by turning off repeat. Similarly my mouse is working at warp . speed although its a bit hit and miss with some normal behaviour.

Added to this my screen seems to have narcoplepsy and goes to sleep sporadically, sometimes even mid key stroke.

Any ideas?