WiFi issues on a Lenovo IdeaPad S10e

borepstein · 05-31-2011, 10:44 AM

Hello all,

I've got this netbook, the Windows on it got terribly corrupted so I gave up on that an put Ubuntu 11.04. All works - it seems - but the WiFi. The message I get is that the wireless is disabled by the hardware switch. I tried to fix that following the instructions from the manual ( http://www.harpethhall.org/ftpimages...er%20Guide.pdf ) which say

Quote:

To enable wireless communications, do the following; 1. Press the Wireless device switch. 2. Press Fn + F5. 3. Press Fn + F5, then enable the wireless LAN card in the wireless setting menu.

but thus far have had no luck.

Hence I've got the following questions:

1) Has anyone figured out how to resolve this issue?

2) Failing a resolution to the issue what would you recommend for a USB WiFi dongle?

Thanks.

Boris.

rick1959 · 05-31-2011, 05:01 PM

Boris,

I've been running my S10 on different versions of Ubuntu since 2009 with WiFi success.

MOST IMPORTANT is to BE SURE you are connected via the Ethernet cable so you can download the additional driver needed to operate the Broadcom wifi unit. Sadly, Ubuntu does not include the restricted driver for Broadcom, so you have to run the "Restricted Drivers" from the System folder. The good news is once you've done that and reboot your computer, you should be ready to run wifi.

See how that works for you.

Regards, Rick :-)

rick1959 · 05-31-2011, 05:07 PM

The Fn+F5 doesn't work wih Linux.....Just the "on/off" switch to right of the power button...:-)

borepstein · 06-01-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick1959

Boris,

I've been running my S10 on different versions of Ubuntu since 2009 with WiFi success.

MOST IMPORTANT is to BE SURE you are connected via the Ethernet cable so you can download the additional driver needed to operate the Broadcom wifi unit. Sadly, Ubuntu does not include the restricted driver for Broadcom, so you have to run the "Restricted Drivers" from the System folder. The good news is once you've done that and reboot your computer, you should be ready to run wifi.

See how that works for you.

Regards, Rick :-)

Rick,

Thanks!

It seems that I've got a slightly different variant of this netbook as mine has an Atheros AR9285 for a Wifi adapter as opposed to Broadcom.

Boris.

rick1959 · 06-02-2011, 09:57 AM

Boris,

Trying to be helpful!

Have you checked the old LenovoS10.com forum for specific details concerning you issue?

When I got my S10(no dash) Model 4231AJU back in May of 2009, thr website was very helpful in transitioning to Linux and dealing with model specific issues.

Curious, did your S10e get spec'd for an area other than the US? It may explain the differences between yours and mine....that being said, I know that other than software drivers, function of components was very similar between any model....

Hope this is helpful!! Rick :-)

borepstein · 01-17-2012, 08:30 AM

Rick,

I finally ended up buying a $30 external USB WiFi adapter for that netbook. And that works just fine.

It seemed to me that the internal one was either damaged or too deeply integrated with MS Windows.

Boris.

rick1959 · 01-17-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borepstein

Rick,

I finally ended up buying a $30 external USB WiFi adapter for that netbook. And that works just fine.

It seemed to me that the internal one was either damaged or too deeply integrated with MS Windows.

Boris.

Hi Boris,

Just saw this update & Thanks for letting me know.

From my limited experience, I'd say your internal unit went bad.

When I added the Bluetooth module to my S10, I noted that some connections inside were not fully, 100% connected. Either they were never fully "pressed together" or they got bumped apart. So I tightened things up and never had problem. Perhaps worth a look?

Also, I'd suggest trying to locate a replacement wifi card or your S10. Maybe eBay? They aren't expensive and replacement is very easy....But no matter what....

Best Wishes, Rick :-)