SOLVED - Newbie - Help connecting wifi USB

[dobie17]

First time poster. I just installed Linux Cinnamon yesterday. Extremely new to Linux but excited about what I see. Computer doesn't have access to LAN so I bought a wifi USB...

Rosewill RNX-N180UBEv2 (N300 wireless USB adapter)

My research indicated it will work on Linux, but the included CD only has windows drivers. So I am stuck.

My system is a full Linux install (from CD) with these details:

Linux Mint 18.1 Cinnamon 64-bit
Version 3.2.6
Kernel 4.4.0-53-generic
AMD Phenom II X3 705e Processor x 3
Graphics card NVIDIA G92 [GeForce 800 GT]

I do have a wifi laptop next to the computer if I need to download a driver and transfer (via stick USB).

I tried reading other threads but they got deep into other system details and way over my head.

Help?

[dobie17]

OK. I moved the computer to access a LAN cable. Then I found a driver for the USB WiFi and downloaded to the Linux machine.

It is in a zipped file in my downloads folder.

I don't know enough about Linux to install the driver now.

Can someone walk me thru how to install the driver?

[Pjotr]

a. Please generate an overview of your system like this:
- Launch a terminal window (this is how to launch a terminal window);
- make the terminal window full screen, to avoid chopped lines;
- copy/paste this command into the terminal:

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inxi -Fxz

(if you type: the letter F is a capital letter)

Press Enter.

Copy/paste the output in your next message.

b. Do the same with the following three commands:

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rfkill list all

and:

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inxi -Nn

and:

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iwconfig

[dobie17]

Here ya go

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gillis@Maxwell ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: Maxwell Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.2.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.1) Distro: Linux Mint 18.1 Serena
Machine:   Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M4A78 PRO v: Rev 1.xx Bios: American Megatrends v: 1501 date: 09/14/2009
CPU:       Triple core AMD Phenom II X3 705e (-MCP-) cache: 1536 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4a svm) bmips: 15051
           clock speeds: max: 2500 MHz 1: 1300 MHz 2: 1900 MHz 3: 1300 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA G92 [GeForce 8800 GT] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
           Resolution: 1440x900@60.02hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce 8800 GT/PCIe/SSE2 GLX Version: 3.3.0 NVIDIA 340.101 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA) driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:14.2
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-53-generic
Network:   Card: Qualcomm Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit or Fast Ethernet
           driver: ATL1E port: ec00 bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 240.1GB (4.5% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: ADATA_SP550 size: 240.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 216G used: 6.3G (4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 32.0C mobo: 36.0C gpu: 0.0:57C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 3013 sys-1: 0 sys-2: 0
Info:      Processes: 177 Uptime: 28 min Memory: 1214.8/3951.3MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.461) inxi: 2.2.35 
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ rfkill list all
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ rfkill list all
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ inxi -Nn
Network:   Card: Qualcomm Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit or Fast Ethernet driver: ATL1E
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: 00:24:8c:81:7b:83
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ iwconfig
enp2s0    no wireless extensions.

lo        no wireless extensions.

gillis@Maxwell ~ $

[Pjotr]

Was all this with the USB Wifi adapter plugged in? If not, repeat the above with the adapter plugged in.

If it was (and still is) plugged in, what does this command give as output:

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lsusb

[dobie17]

Nope, adapter was not plugged in. Gimme a sec and I'll re-do

[dobie17]

With USB adapter plugged in...

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gillis@Maxwell ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: Maxwell Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.2.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.1) Distro: Linux Mint 18.1 Serena
Machine:   Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M4A78 PRO v: Rev 1.xx Bios: American Megatrends v: 1501 date: 09/14/2009
CPU:       Triple core AMD Phenom II X3 705e (-MCP-) cache: 1536 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4a svm) bmips: 15051
           clock speeds: max: 2500 MHz 1: 1300 MHz 2: 1300 MHz 3: 800 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA G92 [GeForce 8800 GT] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
           Resolution: 1440x900@60.02hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce 8800 GT/PCIe/SSE2 GLX Version: 3.3.0 NVIDIA 340.101 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA) driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:14.2
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-53-generic
Network:   Card: Qualcomm Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit or Fast Ethernet
           driver: ATL1E port: ec00 bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 240.1GB (4.5% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: ADATA_SP550 size: 240.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 216G used: 6.3G (4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 32.0C mobo: 36.0C gpu: 0.0:57C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 3013 sys-1: 0 sys-2: 0
Info:      Processes: 178 Uptime: 51 min Memory: 1025.9/3951.3MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.461) inxi: 2.2.35 
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ rfkill list all
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ inxi -Nn
Network:   Card: Qualcomm Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit or Fast Ethernet driver: ATL1E
           IF: enp2s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: 00:24:8c:81:7b:83
gillis@Maxwell ~ $ iwconfig
enp2s0    no wireless extensions.

lo        no wireless extensions.

gillis@Maxwell ~ $

[dobie17]

ANd...

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gillis@Maxwell ~ $ lsusb
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 007: ID 0bda:818b Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 046d:c52b Logitech, Inc. Unifying Receiver
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 045e:0752 Microsoft Corp. Wired Keyboard 400
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
gillis@Maxwell ~ $

[Pjotr]

You're in luck: it's probably easy to fix. Do this:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... 0bda:818b-
(item 6, right column)

[dobie17]

Okay, headed there now

[Pjotr]

If it works (which I think it will), do not install any newer kernels and make sure you select the most cautious update policy (like it says at the end of the how-to).

[dobie17]

It downloaded and I restarted, but I don't think it worked. DO I have to set up a new wireless connection?

[Pjotr]

It downloaded and I restarted, but I don't think it worked.

Did you double-click the downloaded driver package to install it, before you rebooted?

If so, repeat the commands that I requested in my first message (obviously with the adapter plugged in), and post the outputs.

[dobie17]

I apologize for my ignorance. I did install before I re-booted. SO I unplugged the dongle and re-plugged it in. Then the computer recognized it and offered me the option to connect via Wi-fi.

So yes it did work! I cannot thank you enough! I'm excited about Linux and I'm trying to learn but not having internet was making that difficult.

Thank you again!

[Pjotr]

You're welcome! Good to hear.

[dobie17]

Not so fast. I had to move the ocmputer to get to the LAN cable. Now that the Wifi is working, I moved the computer back to its "home" position, planning on using the wifi. So I turned the computer on and it did not recognize something because no wifi connection was available. I had to unplug the dongle and then plug it back in.

Is there some setting I need to tweak so that it will always scan and find the dongle at startup?

[Pjotr]

A bit weird, that....

You might try if it helps when you install the latest kernel from the 4.4 series (-64):
Update Manager - panel: View - Linux kernels

After the installation of -64, reboot your computer.

Installing a newer kernel might very well disable your wifi again, so keep the downloaded driver package at hand. You might need it to re-install the driver.

[dobie17]

Yes, weird is what I thought as well. I'll try the kernel update and see what happens.

Thanks again.

[preacher_d]

If it works (which I think it will), do not install any newer kernels and make sure you select the most cautious update policy (like it says at the end of the how-to).

Hi Pjotr,
which driver must install for 0bda:818b Realtek Semiconductor Corp. I try with RTL8812AU but doesn't work.
Thank you