Thread: Installed Ubuntu - Need Help Now

Okay, so I installed Ubuntu on a laptop. Now, my wi-fi finder thingie doesn't work. Help?!

Is it an ancient laptop? Might be you have to do a little work to get it going.

Check the ubuntu user forums (here). The search function there is quite good at finding answers to this kind of question.

That happened to me at first too. Have you tried restarting?

Doesn't work in Windows or Ubuntu?

Originally Posted by toddpedlar

Is it an ancient laptop? Might be you have to do a little work to get it going.

Check the ubuntu user forums (here). The search function there is quite good at finding answers to this kind of question.

It's not that ancient. A few years. It's a Compaq Presario V5000. As for the ubuntu forums, well, everyone speaks in languages I'm unable to comprehend. I was hoping someone here could help a dummy out.

Originally Posted by austinww

That happened to me at first too. Have you tried restarting?

No. I'll try that now, I guess.

Originally Posted by Skyler

Doesn't work in Windows or Ubuntu?

Skyler, I simply replaced Windows altogether with Ubuntu.

The fact sheet I found for it says WiFi is "optional". That puts it squarely in the "ancient" category.

Which version of Ubuntu are you using?

Do you see a "Wifi Radar" program in the programs list anywhere?

Originally Posted by Skyler

The fact sheet I found for it says WiFi is "optional". That puts it squarely in the "ancient" category.

Which version of Ubuntu are you using?

Do you see a "Wifi Radar" program in the programs list anywhere?

The newest, I believe. 9.04. No Wifi Radar" program either.

one thing that works for me is plugging it in to a wired connection and then going to a terminal and doing a sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get upgrade then go to the 'start bar' and find something that says hardware. That is the important step. When that is open you will probably have to pick the latest hardware stuff for your wifi card and click activate. After a reboot you should be good to go.

pm me if you have questions. take a screen shot and send it to me after you find 'hardware' which i think is under 'system'. I am not in ubuntu right now so I can't remember for certain

Originally Posted by matt.meisberger

one thing that works for me is plugging it in to a wired connection and then going to a terminal and doing a sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get upgrade then go to the 'start bar' and find something that says hardware. That is the important step. When that is open you will probably have to pick the latest hardware stuff for your wifi card and click activate. After a reboot you should be good to go.

Matt, could you translate that into the vulgar use for me? I get the "wired connection" part, but not so sure what the "sudo apt-get update" stuff is.

go to your start bar then accessories i think then 'terminal' then type 'sudo apt-get update' followed by enter, then when it is done 'sudo apt-get upgrade' followed by enter

-----Added 10/26/2009 at 07:44:19 EST-----

you have to be connected to the internet to do what I just said in my last post through a hard wire to your router.

Thanks for bearing with the dummy.

Those sudo apt-gets are live savers!

Originally Posted by matt.meisberger

go to your start bar then accessories i think then 'terminal' then type 'sudo apt-get update' followed by enter, then when it is done 'sudo apt-get upgrade' followed by enter

oops, forgot to mention just hit 'y' enter if it asks you any questions. What those two things are doing is getting the latest patches and software for you operating system because ubuntu community releases all their updates free of charge and they are always working you may have to download a bunch. when that is all done go to the top left of the screen and click on 'system' -> 'administration' -> 'hardware drivers' then let me know the list of things with gray dots to the left of them

-----Added 10/26/2009 at 07:52:46 EST-----

I hate to say this but after you get your internet working I wouldn't do too much customization because in 3 days a new distribution of ubuntu is coming out and, although you can upgrade your existing version to it, you cannot take advantage of all the perks because they are changing a few major things like the way the files are stored on the disk and that feature is not upgradeable. Thus I would recommend in 3 days redownload and start over again since you are so close.

It's still running... standby.

Originally Posted by Joshua

Okay, so I installed Ubuntu on a laptop. Now, my wi-fi finder thingie doesn't work. Help?!

Originally Posted by Joshua

As for the ubuntu forums, well, everyone speaks in languages I'm unable to comprehend. I was hoping someone here could help a dummy out.

lol @ 2 examples of the five ways Linux shoots itself in the foot.

This is a simple problem, easily overcome, and well worth the freedom from MS hassles.

Found the following on this forum, discussing your specific computer (found this forum quickly with a simple Google search): Linksys WUSB100 Wireless Adapter Working on Ubuntu 9.04 - Linux Forums

"Actually, the internal Broadcom 4318 is well supported in Linux using the b43 driver. The only thing that you have to do is install the proprietary firmware, then it will work. Fortunately Ubuntu makes this very easy, just make sure you have a wired internet connection, and run this command in the terminal.

Code: sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter

It will ask: "Fetch and install firmware?". Answer "Yes" (press enter).

There may also be a true Linux driver or the USB wireless, if you're interested in pursuing it."

Thanks, Matt. The trick worked. Posting from Ubuntu OS now.

I was afraid we'd lost you.

So how do you find it?