Wifi doesn't work

[jacatone]

In all the years I've been using Linux it's always had problems with wifi and ethernet. Windows solved that issue with Win 95. I'm using a Dell Latitude D620 and forget how to fix the built in wireless. Anyone know the answer? Thanks

[firenice03]

A couple things...

In terminal (Alt + T) enter the following command:

Code:

inxi -Fxz

Post results (use the "code" tags '#' above reply or [code ] output here [/code ] (without spaces)..
This output will list your adapters...

In meanwhile you may want to try:
Clicking on MENU, then type "Install Drivers".. Once open under Additional Drivers there may be drivers listed.

If nothings listed; options may vary depending on your driver (posting the output will )....

[gold_finger]

It's probably a Broadcom card, so post back output of this terminal command:

Code:

lspci -nn -d 14e4:

That will show exact model & revision number of card, which will enable correct driver recommendation.

[Joseph]

enter in terminal:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
sudo apt-get remove bcmwl-kernel-source

Have to do this every time I updgrade Linux Lite on our Dell Latitude D620s for work.
Hope this helps

[waynebob]

Just used this on an old Dell Inspiron 1501. After a reboot it worked.
Thanks.

[m654321]

enter in terminal:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
sudo apt-get remove bcmwl-kernel-source

Have to do this every time I updgrade Linux Lite on our Dell Latitude D620s for work.
Hope this helps

Hi Joseph,

My Dell Lattitude D630 (setup4 in sig below) has the iwl3945 driver installed - the WiFi works but speed is slow at 54 Mb/s.  Instead, I use a wired connection, as this is faster at 100Mb/s. Does the firmware-b43-installer improve on either of these speeds?  I can imagine that it doesn't, given the 10-years-old age of this PC.  Just for comparison with less old PCs (in sig) running LL, WiFi speeds for the other setups are either 150 Mb/s (setup2) or 300 Mb/s (setups 1&3).

Regards
Mike

[bayoubooger]

On the Dell 1501, the BCM43xx is only rated for max 54 mps and once you update per above you have to Hold the Fn key and hit F2 to turn on wifi lite or you'll never get there...Found out the hard way...

[m654321]

On the Dell 1501, the BCM43xx is only rated for max 54 mps and once you update per above you have to Hold the Fn key and hit F2 to turn on wifi lite or you'll never get there...Found out the hard way...

Thanks for your reply bayoubooger - I'm glad I didn't go and update with the firmware-43-installer, based on your unfortunate experience! As it stands, with the iwi3945 driver, I've found the Dell Latitude D630 connects automatically to WiFi with LL3.0, even though the speed is slow, but as you've said, 54 mb/s appears to be the max speed achievable.

Mike

[trinidad]

Hi Mike

You can disable those wifi on/off key functions in the BIOS setup.

Hi Joseph

54mbps is reasonably fast (mid range) for consumer broadband wifi. Cheap wifi here is about 25mbps. You generally won't be able to exceed that without paying your provider for extra bandwidth, even with a wired connection. You can however exceed that with ad hoc wifi connections computer to computer depending on your card, upwards to 300mbps. Also keep your Deb brdcm wifi package on a USB stick to insert before upgrades or installations and the installer will find it and install it. Just save it as a Deb package, (just like it comes from synaptic) on the USB stick and you can use it anytime when installing any Deb based distro.

TC

[m654321]

Hi Mike
You can disable those wifi on/off key functions in the BIOS setup.

Yes that's right - even simpler is just to use the WiFi slider switch on the LHS of the machine.

Mike