Info: LMDE Wireless - Debian Wiki

[rivenathos]

With the current releases of Linux Mint Debian Edition, it seems some people are having issues with wireless. With LMDE, things are going to be slightly different, but not impossible, as far as configuration goes. Having set up numerous Debian installs over the years, I can honestly say there is nothing to be afraid of. Though, a little research and preparation in advance will make for a much smoother install.

Please note: For the initial installation, it is really, really a good idea to have your laptop attached via an Ethernet cable. Yes, plug it in.

Since LMDE is Debian-based and not Ubuntu-based, it may be of benefit to consult the Debian Wiki as a starting point in learning to do things "The Debian Way."

http://wiki.debian.org/WiFi

In determining what actual internal wireless card you have, running the "lspci -nn" command in your Terminal outputs a wealth of info.
Note: If you have a USB wireless card, use the "lsusb" command instead of the "lspci" command.

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lspci -nn

Find your wireless card in that big block of information. If you have a wireless card detected, it is in there.

Match up your wireless card in the Device Name column, and click on the hyperlink in the help page column. Follow the instructions for "Squeeze." Once enabled, you can configure your wireless connection and be online in a matter of minutes.


Using my Toshiba laptop as an example, this is how I set up my wireless:

I entered "lspci -nn" in my Terminal. My output was:

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riven@toshiba:~$ lspci -nn
00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/PM/GMS/910GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller [8086:2590] (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2592] (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller [0380]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2792] (rev 03)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) PCI Express Port 1 [8086:2660] (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #1 [8086:2658] (rev 03)
00:1d.1 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #2 [8086:2659] (rev 03)
00:1d.2 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #3 [8086:265a] (rev 03)
00:1d.3 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #4 [8086:265b] (rev 03)
00:1d.7 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller [8086:265c] (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge [8086:2448] (rev d3)
00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller [0401]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC’97 Audio Controller [8086:266e] (rev 03)
00:1e.3 Modem [0703]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC’97 Modem Controller [8086:266d] (rev 03)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) LPC Interface Bridge [8086:2641] (rev 03)
00:1f.2 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) SATA Controller [8086:2653] (rev 03)
00:1f.3 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) SMBus Controller [8086:266a] (rev 03)
02:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8036 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller [11ab:4351] (rev 10)
06:02.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection [8086:4220] (rev 05)
06:04.0 CardBus bridge [0607]: Texas Instruments PCIxx21/x515 Cardbus Controller [104c:8031]
06:04.2 FireWire (IEEE 1394) [0c00]: Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller [104c:8032]
06:04.3 Mass storage controller [0180]: Texas Instruments PCIxx21 Integrated FlashMedia Controller [104c:8033]
06:04.4 SD Host controller [0805]: Texas Instruments PCI6411/6421/6611/6621/7411/7421/7611/7621 Secure Digital Controller [104c:8034]
riven@toshiba:~$

Sifting through all that huge block of hardware information provided me with the one piece of information I needed:

• 06:02.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection [8086:4220] (rev 05)

So, knowing I have an Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG, I consulted the Debian Wiki and saw that my wireless card matched up with the "ipw2200" driver. I clicked on the hyperlink in the help page column and then followed the step-by-step instructions for enabling my wireless. I unplugged my Ethernet cable and rebooted my laptop. I immediately received notification of available networks. I clicked on the GNOME Network Manager icon, configured my access, and was online in a minute.

If you are having wireless issues with your new LMDE install, try out the above method. It has worked for me every time, and should work for you, too. Good luck!

[vrkalak]

Excellent post.

Yes, LMDE is based on Debian and not Ubuntu ... therefore, you have access to the whole of the Debian resources and the Debian Wiki site.

Debian publishes a lot of information, on every aspect, of the Debian GNU/Linux Operating System and Open Source.

If you are having any problem with LMDE or Debian do consult the Debian Wiki.
The answer is probably there, as someone else has, probably, had the same issue before.

"The problem with 'trouble-shooting' ... is sometimes trouble shoots back"

[willie42]

Awesome How too......adding it to my Linux notes

[TBABill]

+1 on the Debian Wiki!!! I have to setup my Broadcom proprietary driver manually as well so I refer to the Wiki each time (too lazy to just print it out????) and install step by step. Takes about 1-2 minutes total. The wiki is great and in-depth.

[Kittum]

+1 on the Debian Wiki!!! I have to setup my Broadcom proprietary driver manually as well so I refer to the Wiki each time (too lazy to just print it out????) and install step by step. Takes about 1-2 minutes total. The wiki is great and in-depth.

X2 - I;m with TBABill - as in too lazy to print it out.