Linux/no wireless connection

dipsy

Hi, I wondered if anyone can help, being to try sort out friends laptop for them, they had their broadband installed on Thu

can connect hardwired (Ethernet), can't get their laptop to see the wireless router.

It is not the router as I have connected via my phone to it with no issue

I have made sure the wireless switch at the front of the laptop is switched to on and done FN + F9 to configure

its a Lenovo G550 laptop

now I don't know Linux at all, which is the OS they have installed, I am wondering if the wireless adaptor has been disabled in software, but I have no idea how to get to it.

can anyone advise a) how to get to the wireless adaptor in software and make sure its enabled or b) has anyone had any dealings with Linux and offer any advise as to what it might be?

thanks in advance.

JustPassingBy

dipsy wrote: »

can anyone advise a) how to get to the wireless adaptor in software and make sure its enabled or b) has anyone had any dealings with Linux and offer any advise as to what it might be?

Post the output of the command

lspci

Type it in a terminal.

Also: Saying it is Linux is a bit broad. Specify the distribution.

dipsy

You will have to forgive me I have no idea how to do anything in Linux, hence my post I use Windows but I believe there are some issues getting laptops to switch on wireless when using Linux

it works fine when hardwired....

can you tell me how to find the code and I am saying Linux as thats the only info I have...

thanks

JustPassingBy

dipsy wrote: »

You will have to forgive me I have no idea how to do anything in Linux, hence my post I use Windows but I believe there are some issues getting laptops to switch on wireless when using Linux

There can be but the solution is often straightforward. However, without knowing what the wireless card is inside the machine you are working in the dark. lspci gives you that information.

I expect there must be menu of some sort to click on. Look for terminal or xterm or something like that. I forget what Windows calls it. Type 'lspci' and press enter.

dipsy

Ok thanks for that, will ask them to have a look for that tomorrow and let me have the result, they may get it sorted with someone at work that knows Linux tomorrow failing that I will get the laptop off them so I can work through it.....

I am a bit in the dark presently :-)

dipsy

Apparently it has the following:

The G550 has a Broadcom BCM4315

does that help at all?

ta

welshdent

Try a software update, I had some issues on a new install of ubuntu once. Plugging in then updating seemed to sort it out

JustPassingBy

dipsy wrote: »

Apparently it has the following:

The G550 has a Broadcom BCM4315

does that help at all?

It does, but the complete line from lspci referencing it would have been better.

What about the distribution? Guessing it is Ubuntu you will want (I think) the broadcom-sta-source package. This means the repositories where it resides need enabling before the package is downloaded.

Sorry not to be more specific.

S0litaire

Broadcoms are a pain to get set up from a clean install.

first thing to try:
plug in a network cable.
go to "System" then "Additional Drivers" and let that run. it should give you 1 or 2 options for wireless Select the one with "STA"
It will install a few things then you need to reboot.

If that does not work:
Go to "applications" then "accessories" then "Terminal"
a black box will open
type the following (it will ask for a password, type in the users password

sudo apt-get update

< a lot of text will fly up the screen, it's ok! This makes sure the list of available software is upto date

sudo apt-get install bcmwl-*

< this install the drivers for Broadcom wireless devices
it should show 2 items and ask you if you want to install. press "y"
It will now install the drivers. once it's finished close the window and reboot

once it restarts you should not be able to get wireless working.