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Old 02-12-2017, 06:55 AM   #1
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Linux compatible or not?


I bought my laptop from linux laptops and it's supposed to be 100% linux compatible. I had debian installed but right out of the box I had problems. I had to reinstall and no wireless. the driver is non-free in debian. Would you consider this a user friendly laptop? Anybody get debian working right of the box? If so what wireless card do you have?

Thanks
 
Old 02-12-2017, 08:22 AM   #2
stanvan
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Your laptop may be Linux-friendly, but Debian has always had the philosophy of Free Software (so you won't find non-free drivers built into its basic install). It's a great OS, but you have to understand their rules and learn how to load the drivers you need during or after installation. If you want an out-of-the-box experience, it's better to go with Ubuntu or one of its derivatives, like Linux Mint, Linux Lite, etc.
 
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Old 02-12-2017, 08:33 AM   #3
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Quote:
right out of the box I had problems. I had to reinstall and no wireless.
1) EXACTLY what problems did you have from the outset? WHY did you have to reinstall?
Quote:
the driver is non-free in debian.
2) And have you installed the non-free Repository. It would hve told you, during the reinstall that xyz (the wireless firmware) was missing and did you want to install it then. Can you recall what it was?

3) Your wireless card should work. You just need to install the relevant firmware. This might involve connecting your laptop TEMPORARILY by cable.

In a Terminal run the command: lspci |grep Network
What is the output?
Let us see if we can help you, without you buying another wireless card.

You might look at something like https://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/201...bian-8-jessie/ - for Jessie or https://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/201...ebian-stretch/ - for Stretch.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 08:33 AM   #4
arochester
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Quote:
right out of the box I had problems. I had to reinstall and no wireless.
1) EXACTLY what problems did you have from the outset? WHY did you have to reinstall?
Quote:
the driver is non-free in debian.
2) And have you installed the non-free Repository. It would hve told you, during the reinstall that xyz (the wireless firmware) was missing and did you want to install it then. Can you recall what it was?

3) Your wireless card should work. You just need to install the relevant firmware. This might involve connecting your laptop TEMPORARILY by cable.

In a Terminal run the command: lspci |grep Network
What is the output?
Let us see if we can help you, without you buying another wireless card.

You might look at something like https://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/201...bian-8-jessie/ - for Jessie or https://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/201...ebian-stretch/ - for Stretch.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 10:31 AM   #5
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Thanks. None of the documents I read said anything about installing firmware. When I got the computer none of my wireless connections showed up. The keys kept repeating which makes cli a real pain. I couldn't get my printer to work and I had no problems in kubuntu. Other annoying things.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 11:24 AM   #6
ardvark71
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Hi...

Just to make everyone aware, there is a thread discussing the OP's wireless issue here, to avoid this becoming a duplicate.

@Mystified: Without knowing the brand and model (and model number) of the laptop and where you bought it, it would be a little hard to say. Firmware for wireless adapters is still an issue in Linux depending on the particular chip. In time, I hope this gets resolved with the manufacturers.

Regards...
 
Old 02-12-2017, 11:35 AM   #7
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Well the point of this post is that I bought this laptopfrom here: https://thelinuxlaptop.com/product_i...4qm4e55g6uq3d4 That's the laptop I bougt

My point is I feel that I did not get what was promised. Not anything else, I just want opinions.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 01:04 PM   #8
rokytnji
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystified View Post
Well the point of this post is that I bought this laptopfrom here: https://thelinuxlaptop.com/product_i...4qm4e55g6uq3d4 That's the laptop I bougt

My point is I feel that I did not get what was promised. Not anything else, I just want opinions.
Dangerous turf when asking for opinions. You may not like what you hear. Yes. The laptop is Linux compatible.

The user? Still has some stuff to learn.

You got what was promised. Being user proof. That is not covered under a warranty. Good luck with it. Looks like nice gear.
I'd be flying with it if it was mine. If you wanna install Debian on it.

You will probably need the latest kernel since it is newer hardware. Not a novice type of situation I guess.
I'd call the vendor and see if they sell a recovery dvd or usb.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 01:24 PM   #9
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I have Debian installed and also Kubuntu. I used to use gentoo so I know how to compile a kernel. Problem is through no choice of my own I had to take an extended break so even though I'm a long time user I am having to relearn a lot. Plus there have been a lot of changes. At this point unless it's easier than gentoo I'm not comfortable compiling a kernel. Yes, I do like this computer a lot but was concerned that (I may be wrong) there would be wireless cards that would work without the hassle. I'm going to install vb in debian and play with other distros. I'm also googling a lot and ordered a book that was recommended I don't mind opinions as long as no one gets nasty I just wanted to check. Thanks for sharing.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 01:36 PM   #10
stanvan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystified View Post
Well the point of this post is that I bought this laptopfrom here: https://thelinuxlaptop.com/product_i...4qm4e55g6uq3d4 That's the laptop I bougt

My point is I feel that I did not get what was promised. Not anything else, I just want opinions.
I'm sorry you don't think you were properly informed. Looking at their website, they advertise "Ubuntu certified" but also offer Linux Mint and Fedora as standard options (shown here). I would guess all of these would give you that out-of-the-box support for WiFi, although printers are another topic altogether. This same page also offers to install any other distribution... but this doesn't say they will configure it for you, unless you got that impression as you went further into the purchasing process.

In your first post, you said:
Quote:
it's supposed to be 100% linux compatible
and in Post #5 you said,
Quote:
I had no problems in kubuntu
From these, it seems the only problem is the distro that you chose that is not one of their standard offerings. But Linux is free, so this is easily fixed! It looks like a great laptop, and I hope that it works out for you.

Cheers!
 
Old 02-12-2017, 02:10 PM   #11
rokytnji
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I use Liqourix or Debian Experimental sources list to grab latest kernel image and header debs. Using a smxi script.

No need to compile a kernel that way. So like you said. Things change. For the better actually. Just my opinion though. YMMV from mine.

Things are easier now. I am not being derogatory when I say some things need to learned.

http://smxi.org/
https://liquorix.net/
https://packages.debian.org/experimental/kernel/

I am talking non-purist Debian options and cutting edge stuff. Not novice related.
My user name is not mystified either. <Just playing here> .

You started with Wheezy in your other thread. Which uses older libraries and such on a newer laptop.
Hence why I have a certain opinion of your skill level so far. So I figure you need to learn new tricks available since you last stepped into this world.
So don't take offense from me. I am not being condescending. I applaud your effort.
When troubleshooting my gear. I am UN-emotional. I find it makes me think clearer to a working solution.

I still think calling for a recovery media is not a bad idea. Just to have it on hand is a plus in my book.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 05:17 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystified View Post
I have Debian installed and also Kubuntu. I used to use gentoo so I know how to compile a kernel. Problem is through no choice of my own I had to take an extended break so even though I'm a long time user I am having to relearn a lot. Plus there have been a lot of changes. At this point unless it's easier than gentoo I'm not comfortable compiling a kernel. Yes, I do like this computer a lot but was concerned that (I may be wrong) there would be wireless cards that would work without the hassle. I'm going to install vb in debian and play with other distros. I'm also googling a lot and ordered a book that was recommended I don't mind opinions as long as no one gets nasty I just wanted to check. Thanks for sharing.
In my opinion, I'd go back to your first post in this thread where you say:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystified
I bought my laptop from linux laptops and it's supposed to be 100% linux compatible.
..and ask WHEN you bought it. Their sales-blurb says that they install codecs, indicating some system tweaking goes on before shipping. Also, they say "...and more have all been installed and configured for a seamless out-of-the-box experience."

Not having wireless isn't "seamless"...send it back, or tell them to fix it; in my opinion, you paid THEM to deliver a working system, and its not.
 
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Old 02-12-2017, 06:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rokytnji View Post
I use Liqourix or Debian Experimental sources list to grab latest kernel image and header debs. Using a smxi script.

No need to compile a kernel that way. So like you said. Things change. For the better actually. Just my opinion though. YMMV from mine.

Things are easier now. I am not being derogatory when I say some things need to learned.

http://smxi.org/
https://liquorix.net/
https://packages.debian.org/experimental/kernel/

I am talking non-purist Debian options and cutting edge stuff. Not novice related.
My user name is not mystified either. <Just playing here> .

You started with Wheezy in your other thread. Which uses older libraries and such on a newer laptop.
Hence why I have a certain opinion of your skill level so far. So I figure you need to learn new tricks available since you last stepped into this world.
So don't take offense from me. I am not being condescending. I applaud your effort.
When troubleshooting my gear. I am UN-emotional. I find it makes me think clearer to a working solution.

I still think calling for a recovery media is not a bad idea. Just to have it on hand is a plus in my book.
I wasn't offended. I know I have a long way to go. And that was my mistake. I found out I did have jessie installed. I'm trying to learn as much as I can so thanks for the applause, Sometimes I don't know about the easier part though. When I used to use debian you configured wireless by editing files and it wasn't hard And don't get me started on /etc/fstab. I'm still confused about that. And if you look at my join date I've been a member since March of 2002 so I'm used to using cli. All this gui stuff is weird to me. I'm not complaining. Just a little confused and it's frustrating when you go from running your own apache server to not knowing how to install a printer!!! And I'm definitely not looking for sympathy because I don't feel sorry for myself but if you read my thread about video games in the general forum I think it will help to understand where I am coming from.

TB0ne I had to do a reinstall but a lot of things were wrong as I stated. I emailed and I called and they were not helpful. I know everything should have worked but their excuse was that they just installed a vanilla flavor and it was up to me customize it. This is a great computer but if I had to do it again I'd probably have asked in the debian forum which computer works best for debian since it's my favorite distro. I only got the computer about two weeks ago.

Thanks for the input everyone.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 07:14 PM   #14
rokytnji
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Funny part is. Non of my quoted post is gui related. It is all cli stuff.

Code:
$ uname -r
4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae
$ locate smxi
/etc/smxi.conf
/etc/logrotate.d/smxi
/usr/local/bin/smxi
/usr/sbin/smxi
/usr/share/antiX/FAQ/smxi.html
/usr/share/doc/smxi-inxi-antix
/usr/share/doc/smxi-inxi-antix/changelog.gz
/usr/share/doc/smxi-inxi-antix/copyright
/var/cache/apt/archives/smxi-inxi-antix_0.3.7_all.deb
/var/lib/dpkg/info/smxi-inxi-antix.list
/var/lib/dpkg/info/smxi-inxi-antix.md5sums
/var/log/smxi.log
Code:
$ inxi -b
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit) Desktop: IceWM 1.3.8
           Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 BIOS: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 33.1 Wh 81.9% condition: 40.4/44.0 Wh (92%)
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) speed/max: 1199/2400 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: modesetting,fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (44.3% used)
Info:      Processes: 178 Uptime: 22 min Memory: 402.1/8021.7MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5
Code:
$ inxi -r
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/antix.list
           deb http://antix.daveserver.info/jessie jessie main nosystemd
           Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
           deb http://ftp.gr.debian.org/debian/ jessie main contrib non-free
           deb http://security.debian.org/ jessie/updates main contrib non-free
And all of that without systemd.
 
Old 02-12-2017, 07:20 PM   #15
rokytnji
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How about you try this instead.

You got the hardware power anyways to run

Quote:
64bit: linux-image-4.7.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 (version 4.7.8-1). Recent stable kernel for newer machines.
Easy upgrade or downgrade with Package Installer
Foundation

Debian Stable "Jessie" (8.6), upgraded by ongoing backports
Xfce 4.12.2
core antiX systems
Automatic enabling of most Broadcom drivers
UEFI installer (64bit)

Key default applications

Browser: Firefox 50.0.2
Video Player: VLC 2.2.4
Music Manager/Player: Clementine 1.3.1
Email client: Thunderbird 45.5.1
Office suite: LibreOffice 5.2.2
Backup: LuckyBackup 0.4.8
Security: Passwords and Keys 3.14.0
Terminal: Xfce4 Terminal 0.6.2

User Experience

Stable
Easy and flexible installation
Excellent hardware recognition
Automatic configuration for most users
One-click change of panel orientation and default theme
One-click enabling of Event sounds
Important applications updated regularly by Community
MX Tools dashboard for easy access to MX apps
Localization for MX apps in many languages
Great help through video set
Full Users Manual onboard and online
Excellent support on a friendly forum

MX Original Apps to make common tasks easier

Live

Create Live USB
Remaster tool
Snapshot

Maintenance

Boot repair
Flash manager
Menu editor
User manager

Setup

Broadcom manager
Codecs installer
Default look
Panel orientation
Select sound
System sounds
Welcome

Software

Apt notifier
Check Apt GPG
Debian Backports installer
Package installer
Repo manager
Test Repo installer

Utilities

Find shares
Switch user
USB unmounter

One-click Extras with Package Installer

Children: Preschool, Primary, etc.
Graphics: ImageMagik, Inkscape, etc.
Network: Skype, Dropbox, etc.
Office: GnuCash, Adobe Reader, Calibre, etc.
System: KDE, LXDE, MATE, etc.
Audio: Audacity, DeaDBeeF, Pithos, etc.
Video: DVDStyler, MPlayer, OpenShot, etc

Advanced LiveUSB

Many new Live boot options
Run in Live mode in 10 languages
Easy Live-remaster to make a custom LiveUSB or your own version to distribute as an ISO
Three forms of Live persistence (i.e., what files are kept on the LiveUSB)
Easy "frugal" installation option
Simple creation of custom snapshots (as easy as: add/remove packages, change settings, take a snapshot)
Automatic check of LiveUSB file systems for integrity
Live kernel installer
Live usb maker

Enjoy and please post feedback over at the MX Linux forum.

index.php

anticapitalista, on behalf of the MX Linux team.

13 December, 2016, Thessaloniki.
Last edited by Jerry3904 on Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
Forum Rules
Guide - How to Ask for Help

Rich
SSD Production: MX-15- 64 - migrated to MX-16 RC1
HD Test: MX-16 RC1
AMD A8 7600 FM2+ CPU R7 Graphics, fglrx driver, 16 GIG Mem. Samsung EVO SSD 250 GB, 350 GB HD
Over here

https://forum.mxlinux.org/viewtopic....401246#p401246

You will still be doing Debian. But with extra goodies.

Or not. Up to you.

Last edited by rokytnji; 02-12-2017 at 07:23 PM.
 
  


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