Linux Lite Forums

Software - Support => Installing Software => Topic started by: Jim0000 on August 17, 2022, 10:08:26 PM

Title: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: Jim0000 on August 17, 2022, 10:08:26 PM
I have a new Linux Lite installation on an old Dell desktop computer.
I bought a WiFi dongle that appears to be meant for Windows and Mac.
Is there drivers available for using a generic USB WiFi dongle for this operating system?
I will attach a copy of the terminal result from inxi -FN
I could not find a button to select
Code: [Select]
like I can in Linux Mint.
Apologies for the that.

Any assistance will be most welcome.

Jim.

jim  ~  inxi -FN
System:
  Host: jim-Studio-One-1909 Kernel: 5.17.0-1015-oem x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: Xfce 4.16.0 Distro: Linux Lite 6.0 LTS
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Dell product: Studio One 1909 v: N/A
  serial: <superuser/root required>
  Mobo: Dell model: 0VWC5F v: A00 serial: <superuser/root required>
  BIOS: Dell v: A08 date: 05/28/2010
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core2 Duo E7500 bits: 64 type: MCP
  L2 cache: 3072 KiB
  Speed: 2933 MHz min/max: 1603/2936 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2933 2: 2933
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA C79 [GeForce 9200] driver: nouveau v: kernel
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.21.1.3 driver: modesetting
  unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1280x720~60Hz
  OpenGL: renderer: NVAC v: 3.3 Mesa 22.0.5
Audio:
  Device-1: NVIDIA MCP79 High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.17.0-1015-oem
Network:
  Device-1: Broadcom and subsidiaries NetLink BCM5906M Fast Ethernet PCI
  Express
  driver: tg3
  IF: enp6s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: b8:ac:6f:a1:fa:80
  Device-2: Realtek 802.11ac NIC type: USB driver: usb-network
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 465.76 GiB used: 12.28 GiB (2.6%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Seagate model: ST500DM002-1ER14C size: 465.76 GiB
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 207.21 GiB used: 12.27 GiB (5.9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda6
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 45.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 43 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Info:
  Processes: 204 Uptime: 22m Memory: 3.59 GiB used: 1.05 GiB (29.3%)
  Shell: bash inxi: 3.0.38
 jim  ~  

Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: stevef on August 18, 2022, 02:05:43 AM
I don't think there is a generic driver.  Do you have any brand/model number information from the adaptor you have ?

Two commands which may help identify the chipset in the adaptor are:-

Code: [Select]
sudo lshw -C network
and

Code: [Select]
lsusb
Can you post the results please ?
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: Jim0000 on August 18, 2022, 05:03:10 AM
Ok, thanks for the reply. I found another one in my stuff that is branded.
It is a TP-Link 108M (probably old!).
Here is the result from the terminal commands that you posted:

sudo lshw -C network
[sudo] password for jim:
  *-network                 
       description: Ethernet interface
       product: NetLink BCM5906M Fast Ethernet PCI Express
       vendor: Broadcom Inc. and subsidiaries
       physical id: 0
       bus info: pci@0000:06:00.0
       logical name: enp6s0
       version: 02
       serial: b8:ac:6f:a1:fa:80
       size: 100Mbit/s
       capacity: 100Mbit/s
       width: 64 bits
       clock: 33MHz
       capabilities: pm vpd msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd autonegotiation
       configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=tg3 driverversion=5.17.0-1015-oem duplex=full firmware=sb v3.04 ip=192.168.1.101 latency=0 link=yes multicast=yes port=twisted pair speed=100Mbit/s
       resources: irq:31 memory:febf0000-febfffff
 jim  ~  lsusb
Bus 002 Device 006: ID 0cf3:0002 Qualcomm Atheros Communications AR5523 (no firmware)
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 003: ID 03f0:094a HP, Inc Optical Mouse [672662-001]
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 046d:c52a Logitech, Inc. 2.4GHz Cordless Desktop
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 046d:0962 Logitech, Inc. OEM Camera
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0715 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB 2.0 microSD Reader
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 1926:0066 NextWindow 1950 HID Touchscreen
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 413c:2003 Dell Computer Corp. Keyboard SK-8115
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 jim  ~ 

Also, can you please instruct me on the correct way to post the terminal output.
I am accustomed to the Linux Mint forums, but could not find anything like it here.
I am looking for the code insert symbol.

Thanks again,

Jim.
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: stevef on August 18, 2022, 05:29:18 AM
Jim,

To post code, the easiest way is to look just above the box in which you are typing your post.  Above the yellow face icons, there should be some some grey icons.

If you hover the mouse over the grey icon with the '#' symbol, it should say 'Insert Code'. Click on the grey '#' icon to get the 'code on' and 'code off' tags inserted into your post.  Place your cursor between the first ']' and the second '[' and then

Code: [Select]
whatever you type or paste will appear in a code box in the final post.  Check using preview that it looks right.

Regarding your output, I can't see any sign of a Wifi adaptor.  Was it inserted when you ran the commands ?
Title: Change approach?
Post by: Jim0000 on August 18, 2022, 05:35:18 AM
Thanks Steve,
I suggest a change of approach. How about you suggest for me an available USB WiFi adapter that has readily available drivers, to be installed or already in the operating system, that I can purchase?
If you can do that for me, I will obtain one and start afresh.
I have taken a look at the TP link installation instructions and they look rather daunting to me.
What do you think?

Jim.

This is a practice post of terminal output only:

Code: [Select]
Welcome to Linux Lite 6.0 jim
 
Thursday 18 August 2022, 20:16:47
Memory Usage: 905/3672MB (24.65%)
Disk Usage: 14/208GB (7%)
Support - https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/ (Right click, Open Link)
 
 jim  ~  lsusb
Bus 002 Device 007: ID 05dc:a81d Lexar Media, Inc. LJDTT16G [JumpDrive 16GB]
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 003: ID 03f0:094a HP, Inc Optical Mouse [672662-001]
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 046d:c52a Logitech, Inc. 2.4GHz Cordless Desktop
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 046d:0962 Logitech, Inc. OEM Camera
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0715 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB 2.0 microSD Reader
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 1926:0066 NextWindow 1950 HID Touchscreen
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 413c:2003 Dell Computer Corp. Keyboard SK-8115
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 jim  ~  
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: stevef on August 18, 2022, 07:12:56 AM
It is  difficult to recommend wifi adaptors for Linux unless you have the hardware to hand.  I have three or four old adaptors which I have had working on older/different releases of linux, but I'm not currently using any USB wifi adaptors on Linux Lite 6.0 or 5.x.

Maybe someone who is actively using a dongle can help.

If not then there are articles on the Internet which might be worth reading to give some ideas, but even 'recommended' models can get negative reviews.

If you can find out a devices' chipset before buying, check the Linux Lite hardware database for matches to see if others are using it.

Generally, a branded device is more likely to have support from the manufacturer and publish what chipset is inside.

A reputable supplier should reduce the risk of getting a fake unit and have decent returns policy.

If you buy one, it might work out of the box but be prepared to manually identify what chipset you have and search out and install specific drivers.
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: trinidad on August 18, 2022, 09:05:06 AM
Always work:  https://www.pandawireless.com/

TC
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: Jim0000 on August 18, 2022, 03:52:12 PM
Always work:  https://www.pandawireless.com/

TC

Excellent, thanks for the reply with a link.
Are the required drivers already in Linux Lite? Or do I have to search, find and then install them?
When I receive an answer to these questions, I will order one.

Jim.
Title: Re: WiFi driver for desktop required.
Post by: Jerry on August 18, 2022, 06:22:46 PM
+1 for Panda. I don't think any drivers are necessary. TC will know.

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