Linux Lite Forums

Hello,

Since my last update of Linux Lite (3 days ago) my Wireless USB adapter (TL-WN722N) doesn't work anymore. It seems not to be recognized by the system and the green LED (on top of the adapter) doesn't turn on anymore.
The laptop built-in wifi still works though (but signal is pretty poor due to location (hence the use of external adapter)).
I tried to update the driver but "software & updates" tells me:" No additional drivers available."

I tried it with another computer (Asus) running the same version of Linux Lite on which I haven't done any updates for a month or so and the USB adapter is recognized and works fine.


My system is


-Version-
Kernel : Linux 4.4.0-186-generic (x86_64)
Compiled : #216-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 1 05:34:05 UTC 2020
C Library : Unknown
Default C Compiler : GNU C Compiler version 5.4.0 20160609 (Ubuntu 5.4.0-6ubuntu1~16.04.12)
Distribution : Linux Lite 3.8
-Current Session-
Computer Name : joe-Latitude-E6440
User Name : joe (Joe)
Home Directory : /home/joe
Desktop Environment : XFCE 4
-Misc-
Uptime : 1 hour, 30 minutes
Load Average : 0.05, 0.19, 0.25


Here is the output of "sudo lsusb" (with the USB adapter plugged in) if that helps:

When I unplug it and run the command again, the line with "Atheros Communications, Inc ..." isn't there anymore.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello!

(07-12-2020, 04:45 PM)Joe321 link Wrote: [ -> ][...]Linux Lite 3.8 [...]

I wonder, why Linux Lite 3.8?  ???
It is too old!!

(07-12-2020, 04:45 PM)Joe321 link Wrote: [ -> ][...]Latitude-E6440 [...]

Your CPU supports very well, wonderful I must say, Linux Lite 5.0!

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...0-ghz.html

Install Linux Lite 5.0 and I belive that will solve the problem.
Far more, on my Dell Precision T1700, I have the same GPU: HD Graphics 4600 and it works very fine.
I put on my wife's Dell Inspiron N5030 (a slower CPU, Dual Core without HT) Linux Lite 4.8 and works excellent and she has way less experience in administrative tasks than me and she still manages to handle the OS and the Apps well enough. Since she works in Germany, it's impossible for me to reinstall LL 5.0 but as soon as we meet, that's what I'm planning to do.

Good luck!

Hi Şerban,

Thanks for getting back to me.
To answer your questions, I tried to move from serie 3 to serie 4 when it just came up and reverted back to 3.8 because of a few problems with the brand new LL4.0 at the time.

I keep on using LL3.8 for a few reasons:
- it's lite on resources (for older computers that I still use),
- I am quite used to it,
- but most importantly, it just works. And that's the most important thing for me, I don't need the latest thing with all the bells and whistles. I just need something that works reliably and get the job done.

I agree with you, upgrading to LL5.0 (therefore formatting) may solve the problem (as a matter of fact, formatting solve almost all problems).
But I would welcome any option that will help me to actually fix the problem without having to format.

I think it is not Atheros chipset. MOst probably it is RealTek. This is for Version 2 of TP Link Wireless Adaptor.

(07-14-2020, 03:19 AM)Joe321 link Wrote: [ -> ][...]But I would welcome any option that will help me to actually fix the problem without having to format.  [...]

Hi!

I guess I know what your problem is. You still use the Windows style for data...
Your data is in the /home DIRECTORY , in the ROOT PARTITION.
Well, I guess there are two options here:

1. Keep things as they are and be happy with what you get.
2. Learn to use a /home PARTITION, then CloneZilla, and everything will take you some 30 minutes, from testing a new Linux version to testing whatever distro catches your eye for whatever reason you might have.
Further more, you'll be able to use your system far better.
But in the end, it really is your choice!
That is what I would do, before even one would be able to blink. Why hesitate?
Nothing would be lost, everything would be in its place, except that I would have a much better machine, in terms of performance.

Best Regards!

Hi Joe.
I'm using LL 3.8 as well. I came into trouble when using the Updates on the introduction page.
The (only) way to restore the connection was to reinstall LL 3.8 and NOT to update from the first page, but to use the command line.
Thus I went to the Terminal and commanded : sudo apt-get update.
See also LL Forum @Wifi problems after Updates (April 28, 2017).
Good luck, Paul.

To johnausten13,

Thank you for your reply. I do believe that it is the Atheros Chipset, that's the name that is displayed when I chose  which wifi card I want to use to connect to the internet (I bought it a bit more than 6 years ago).
I did run the commands that you suggested though, the first 3 went ok,




but then I get:


I tried to look manually for such a folder but couldn't find it.
Please keep in mind that I am rather new to linux. ^^
Thanks for your help.

Sorry Dear. I might have mixed the commands with Version 3.

You can try this again for Version 2.0. I hope this will go well.



This is for Version 3.0

To johnausten13,
Unfortunately, I got the same result with the other commands for Version 2.0
I tried tinkering around but to no avail. Thanks anyway for your help. 

To Şerban S.
Thank you for introducing me to CloneZilla. I may give it a try when I upgrade to a newer version of LL when support for serie 3 will stop. 

To pkmaarsen,
Thank you very much, I went to that thread you mentioned, tried the commands without success, until I found that booting from the previous kernel, my USB wifi now works like before. 

I wonder now, is it safe for me not to update my kernel from now on?
If yes, how can I keep everything else up-to-date without updating the kernel?

Quote:I wonder now, is it safe for me not to update my kernel from now on?

Updating/Upgrading the kernel is not mandatory, certainly not necessary in older machines/systems since it could lead to issues like system's  instability. So yes, as long as your machine works fine you can keep on using the same kernel version for as long as you want/need. If you do not want it to update with the system, open a terminal and type type in your password when asked and hit enter. To check that it worked type and it should show the kernel. From there on your kernel won't be updated along with the system.

Hope this helps!