wifi does not connect on Lenovo ("live") MInt

[Elt10W]

Machine: Lenovo G50 (80E301GUUS) Installed OS: Windows 8.1
Hardware specs here: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product ... ook-lenovo

This is a new machine in which I intend to install Mint, but I am having serious problems with connectivity.
So far I am able to boot the 64-bit version of Mint 17.2 XFCE, but no success in connecting via wifi. It does not even see the list of available networks in the building. Needless to say, the machine does not have this problem when using the default os, Windows 8.1.

When I boot the USB stick with Mint 17.2, It shows networking enabled by default, but only a choice to create a VPN. No available networks are found. I even tried with my old D-Link DWL-122 Wireless Wifi Adapter in one of the usb ports. With this latter, it does find my networks, but fails to connect time and again.

As far as I can determine, the Bluetooth / Network card is: Qualcomm Atheros QCA61X4 Bluetooth 4.0 / Wireless Network card. Realtek PCIe GBF Family Controller.

Also see this related thread: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... 6#p1055506

Thanks in advance for any guidance / assistance. I really want to install Mint on this machine!

respectfully...

[bbaker6212]

I also had wifi problems with my Lenovo G50-45 and got it working via following this thread
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=201232
and specifically the directions about the Realtek RTL8723BE chipset directions that @pjotr mentioned
in that thread...

RTL8723BE..... You can probably fix it like this:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... BE-chipset
(item 3, left column)

Thanks Pjotr. Your suggestion helped me to put an end to this month long problem

[bbaker6212]

Ah, I just remembered.. with mine it worked but intermittently, it was unstable. After the fix in that link (turning off power management) the problem went away. Your problem may be something different.

[Elt10W]

I also had wifi problems with my Lenovo G50-45 and got it working via following this thread
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=201232
and specifically the directions about the Realtek RTL8723BE chipset directions that @pjotr mentioned
in that thread...

RTL8723BE..... You can probably fix it like this:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... BE-chipset
(item 3, left column)

Thanks Pjotr. Your suggestion helped me to put an end to this month long problem

Thanks for the links. The situation seems much more promising!

I haven't yet installed MInt on the machine yet, Still booting from a live USB stick. I've decided to keep windows, but strangely today when I initiate the Mint install it does not "see" any other OS present. This may be related to the fact that I installed another 8Gb RAM? My machine has two memory slots, so I put in my spare 8 Gb, bringing total system memory to 12 Gb (Windows says 11 Gb available), Shut down, removed the 8 Gb, but when I went into Windows and booted the MInt usb stick again. It still doesn't see the other OS. Strange.

I'm a bit hesitant to make it 'linux-only' (for the present) since that would perhaps void my warranty for support from Lenovo. (The machine was only purchased about a week or so ago).

Since I am at least able to connect wired using a network cable, my priority is more on installing, so if you could kindly follow / comment in the following thread, it would be most appreciated:
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... 6#p1055506

respectfully...

[Elt10W]

Mint 17.2 xfce 64-bit does not see the modem. I've tried following the instructions in the links offered. NO SUCCESS.
Right now, I'm obliged to use a network cable to connect (wired) to the Internet.


Details of the network / bluetooth card:
Realtek
Driver Version 8.24.1218.2013 8.24.1218.2013
Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4 Wireless Network Adapter
Driver Provider Qualcomm Atheros Communications Inc.
Driver Version 11.0.0.432 11.0.0.432

... in the meantime, I have to get a much longer network cable than this 6' one, so that I can keep the computer on my desk, and still connect to the modem!

[bbaker6212]

If you don't get any love from that wireless card try another one. The one in my G50-45 (the Realtek RTL8723BE) works in all G50 models according to the Lenovo Hardware Maintenance manual. You can get one for around $10 and it's super easy to swap with the original (just three screws to remove the back cover).
The Lenovo part (FRU) number from the HMM doc is 20200570.
Here it is on Ebay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20200570-04X6025 ... 1697289118
Page 80 of HMM: https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mo ... es_hmm.pdf

This wifi card works fine in my G50 under Win10, Mint 17.2 Cinnamon, and Xubuntu 15.04 Xfce

[Elt10W]

If you don't get any love from that wireless card try another one. The one in my G50-45 (the Realtek RTL8723BE) works in all G50 models according to the Lenovo Hardware Maintenance manual. You can get one for around $10 and it's super easy to swap with the original (just three screws to remove the back cover).
The Lenovo part (FRU) number from the HMM doc is 20200570.
Here it is on Ebay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20200570-04X6025 ... 1697289118
Page 80 of HMM: https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mo ... es_hmm.pdf

This wifi card works fine in my G50 under Win10, Mint 17.2 Cinnamon, and Xubuntu 15.04 Xfce

I believe that I already have that manual, but I'll download it anyway. Also I'll look into the modem on Ebay. At the moment, I'm typing this in Mint 17.2 on my G50-80. Also I was informed that they are working on support for Qualcomm in the kernel, so I might decide to wait a bit. Thank you for your suggestion and comment, I feel somewhat better about this now.

[Elt10W]

The responses that I have received point me to a viable solution. If this is of help to anyone else kindly read the comments in this thread, and thanks to all who so kindly responded.