• ablot
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  • Registered: 2011-10-27
  • Posts: 56

Topic: WIFI not working on eeepc

Hello folks,
#! is the best!! So much so I am putting it onto my new eeepc ... however, this is the story:
I have two computers - one laptop, one eeepc ... Installed #! on laptop which is now running like a dream. Used same iso to instal onto eeepc. All is OK except that #! wont let me have wifi. I know wifi works because I checked it with the vile windows. So what do I need to do to get it to work on the eeepc? I can use ethernet so I'm not panicing. But I would appreciate some imput.

  • From: inside Ed
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,867

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

post output of 

uname -r
lspci -knn
LVM | Catalyst | Wireless
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

Hi el koraco,

are you ready? Then here ir comes:

tim@ablot:~$ uname -r
2.6.36-2.dmz.5-liquorix-686
tim@ablot:~$ lspci -knn
00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation N10 Family DMI Bridge [8086:a010] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ac]
    Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation N10 Family Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:a011] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ac]
    Kernel driver in use: i915
00:02.1 Display controller [0380]: Intel Corporation N10 Family Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:a012] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ac]
00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller [8086:27d8] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:841c]
    Kernel driver in use: HDA Intel
00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1 [8086:27d0] (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2 [8086:27d2] (rev 02)
00:1c.3 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 4 [8086:27d6] (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 [8086:27c8] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.1 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 [8086:27c9] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.2 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 [8086:27ca] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.3 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4 [8086:27cb] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.7 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller [8086:27cc] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd
00:1e.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge [8086:2448] (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation NM10 Family LPC Controller [8086:27bc] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
00:1f.2 SATA controller [0106]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH7 Family SATA AHCI Controller [8086:27c1] (rev 02)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:83ad]
    Kernel driver in use: ahci
01:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Atheros Communications AR8132 Fast Ethernet [1969:1062] (rev c0)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:838a]
    Kernel driver in use: atl1c
02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4727] (rev 01)
    Subsystem: AzureWave Device [1a3b:2047]

  • From: inside Ed
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,867

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

I suggest you enable the backports repository in /etc/apt/sources.list and install 2.6.39-i686-pae kernel and headers from bakcports with Synaptic. You should have wireless then. If not, you can install b43-fwcutter and firmware-b43-installer (in that order). Let me know if you need help with specifics.

LVM | Catalyst | Wireless
  • Registered: 2012-01-11
  • Posts: 30

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

@albot,

Try your search from http://wiki.debian.org/wl
Your card is Broadcom Corporation BCM4313, furthermore your card will work with the brcm80211 driver (which link can be found on the wiki page)

Follow steps and install necessary packages and report where you get stuck..

If you break it, you get to keep all pieces.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

OK I'll take your reply el koraco first. I'm not a techie so I have very limited knowledge. I found the debian backports repro in synaptic and ticked it ... is that what you wanted me to do? I then searched for kernel with synaptic but found nothing. I do not know how to get to the etc ... lists you mentioned. Sorry about this, but you are going to have to spell it out to me.

  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

zuper ... I had a look on the debian link and found instructions to instal Lenny, wheezy, and Squeeze!! Are they members of a pop group? Do I install all of them or just one? Which one?

  • From: inside Ed
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,867

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

ablot wrote:

OK I'll take your reply el koraco first. I'm not a techie so I have very limited knowledge. I found the debian backports repro in synaptic and ticked it ... is that what you wanted me to do? I then searched for kernel with synaptic but found nothing. I do not know how to get to the etc ... lists you mentioned. Sorry about this, but you are going to have to spell it out to me.


OK, untick the button again in Synaptic and try the link by zuper with the wl module. You're lookig at instructions for Squeeze, the Debian version Crunchbang is based on. .

LVM | Catalyst | Wireless
  • Registered: 2012-01-11
  • Posts: 30

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

@ablot,

Continue with the Squeeze solution as el_coraco said.
Try to complete 1-1 all necessary steps and report if and where you get stuck.

If you break it, you get to keep all pieces.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

Zuper, sorry but I have fallen at the first hurdle. If I open the apps/list I cannot type into it. If I need to make the changes in the terminal then I do not know how.

  • Registered: 2012-01-11
  • Posts: 30

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

You mean you cannot type in the search field of Synaptic?
This has happened to me as well a few times, just try to close it and open it again.

In case you have to luck open a terrminal and we will use nano as editor to edit your sources.list file: 

 sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Check first if the lines are already there: 

# Debian Squeeze/6.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free

If there are there but the line begins with # means that the are commented so remove # form the line that starts with deb.
If lines are missing totally then add them by copy/paste. Keep in mind that in terminal and nano we copy/paste with Shift/Ctrl and then c or v respectively.

After that press Ctrl/o to save the file and Ctrl/x to exit the nano editor.
Then in the terminal  run:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firmware-brcm80211 wireless-tools

The above will install the necessary broadcom firmware that most probably is not presen tin your system. After isntalling try to see if you get a wireless interface and report back any truble you get in the way.

Alternatively if you get o fix Synaptic you can perform the same actions through the safety of a GUI;)

If you break it, you get to keep all pieces.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

WAIT ... I have managed to open the etc list, and copied the lines from the site. A question. THe other lines either have one # or two before the text whereas the copied two lines only have none or one # ... something tells me that that is significant. Also the instructions speak as though the line to be copied is only a "for example" line ... what does THAT mean?

  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

We will try to do this without you having to edit anything.

First thing is to enable backports and get the 2.6.39 kernel:
Open up a terminal window

sudo su -

enter your password
select everything in the next box using you mouse

echo -e " \n## DEBIAN BACKPORTS
deb http://backports.debian.org/debian-backports squeeze-backports main contrib non-free\n" >> /etc/apt/sources.list

paste it in the terminal window by clicking your mouse middle button
press 'return' until you get the prompt.
Now type 

Ctl+D

to exit from the su session. Hold the Ctl key, press d
copy the following command to the terminal window:

sudo apt-get update

enter your password

sudo apt-get install linux-image-2.6.39-bpo.2-686-pae

Reboot your system. There will be a new entry in your grub menu. Pick the first entry- it will mention 2.6.39-bpo

Test if your wireless is working.

Last edited by xaos52 (2012-01-16 16:29:28)

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • Registered: 2012-01-11
  • Posts: 30

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

@ ablot,

One or two # makes no difference in the execution of the code after them. A line is considered to be commentend even if it has 1 single # infront of it.

Mirrors break down geographically so the one that is used in the site 

# Debian Squeeze/6.0
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian squeeze main contrib non-free

is for US and you can see. Sownload speed might differ depending where you are on the planet, but packages are consistent all over mirrors, meaning that you will download the same package whether you connect to a mirror in US or in Europe.

Before proceeding try what xaos52 suggests above and see if it works, as he is expert in networking...

If you break it, you get to keep all pieces.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

ZOWEE! Thanks folks! I managed to follow your instructions zuper but got no results. So I followed what you suggested - trying the "xao52" way ... and BINGO! Thank you both.

I have another unrelated question ... how do I remove conky and Statlers quotes? Should I make this another thread?

  • Registered: 2012-01-11
  • Posts: 30

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

One more happy user...that s the way....
For your new issues I would suggest to open up a new thread.....:)

If you break it, you get to keep all pieces.
  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

edit
$HOME/.config/openbox/autostart.sh
Comment the line(s) that contains conky/cb-fortune

Last edited by xaos52 (2012-01-16 16:34:14)

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

XAOS52, I am working in xfce not openbox ... I did as you said and got a few WARNING ... FAILED lines - and then the terminal simply stopped. I know I am supposed to find autostart in the Settings thing ... but I cannot find anywhere to enable me to access the xfce autostart.

  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

Oops, sorry. Got used to the new #! with openbox.
I never used xfce, but I suppose you will find the file in $HOME/.config/xfce or xfce4

Last edited by xaos52 (2012-01-16 17:01:03)

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

Here is what I would do to try to locate that file:

sudo apt-get install locate
sudo updatedb
locate xfce|grep autostart

hth

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

... no answer came the reply from the terminal. Try again. Is openbox better than xfce?

  • From: #! NightClub
  • Registered: 2011-06-02
  • Posts: 3,869

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

The directory in Xfce is called:

/home/your user/.config/autostart
Font Task Force | The ultimate MPD guide | Little MOC how-to

The sound of #! COFFEE
  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

I never used xfce, so I can not tell.
I suppose it is not better, just a bit... different.
Depends on personal taste really, and habit...

Have you located the xfce config file ?

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • From: A kingdom in transition
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 2,138

Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

I will leave this one for you, ivan, if you do not mind

If you poke the bear it is going to come after you.
  • ablot
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Re: WIFI not working on eeepc

Ah Ivan ... we meet again ... and its the same question as last time ... but things seem to have changed ... I do not know what to do here. The terminal tells me that there is a directory called autostart.

I have just found this:
/home/tim/.config/xfce4/autostart.sh

OK ... so how do I get access to it to change it?