I have installed LinuxMint15 but no internet connection found
 

I have just installed LinuxMint 15 but cannot find an internet connection. I am informed "failed to receive share list from server - No such file or directory" but have no idea what it means or even whether it is relevant.

I have Windows Vista running in the first partition and have internet connection through a Technicolor TG582n router with a wireless connection to a TP-LINK Wireles N Adaptor. The computer is a Dell Inspiron 530s. Naively I rather thought that the LinuxMint would pick up the connection.

I am afraid I am quite baffled by all technicalities so please do not overestimate my ability to understand all but the very simplest of explanations and instructions. An example of this is when I tried to join the LinuxMint Forum in the belief that it might be a more immediately related source of help. I couldn't even managed to register! I tried about twenty times but, and in spite of my most meticulous filling in of name, password and email details etc. I kept getting the message "You have incorrectly sorted the items to the correct list of the confirmation question" I have absolutely no idea what it means although it does look like English. It also stated that my proffered password was too short. I realised then that their definition of six letters meant something other than I had been taught at school and that being so it was no use proceeding further.

So if you could please help?

Do you have Ghostery installed in your browser? I've just tried regitering using Firefox and it blocks some of the items on Linux Mint forum's registration page. Either disable it in Ghostery or use another browser for registration.

If you can get to Linux Mint forum page it means you can access the Internet. What are you actually doing which leads you to that error? Googling that error message might shed some light too.

Open a kounsol\command-line from apps>utilities:to see if network card is up and running?

I just installed a linux mint on a mini laptop and found the issue. First probed the b43 module, then grepped my dmesg to find missing firmware was needed. Not sure if it helps but something to check out...

You can ifconfig like above to see if it is listed at all, you can also do an ifup wlan0, see the responses. You can do a lsmod to see if the b44 b43 or broadcom 80211 is running. In my mint job the other day, I just ran the modprobe b43, then ran dmesg | grep b43, it then said I had missing firmware and needed to get and install. I would start with your dmesg to see what is going on!

Thanks GNU/Linux, Jamison 20000e and Tech7.
Just to clear up the points raised. I may not have made it clear that I can access the internet but only through Windows Vista. I have Ghostery installed but only on Firefox running in Vista. Nothing is installed in Linux Mint apart from what came in the DVD. (which includes Firefox). The statement "failed to receive share list from server ...etc" came in a window entitled "Unable to mount location" when I was trying to explore the fault. Incidentally I have now googled for the phrase but the only result was this posting!

I could not locate UTILITIES but tried sudo ifconfig in Terminal with the attached result.

Tech7 I am afraid you have lost me. I just don't know how to follow your suggestions. I really am woefully ignorant.

I have this morning tried to explore various options further. It does seem that there is a connection but that it is not strong enough to be maintained. The computer is aware that there is a wireless network available (In my case PlusnetWirelessSE5161) and does seem to be able to connect if only momentarily. It fleetingly shows a connection with a percentage figure of between 32 and 39% but this is obviously not strong enough for it to function. Is the driver? The reception is fine for Vista but not strong enough for Linux.

Does any of the above make sense?

The network card is up and running, Go to networkmanager in the task bar and configure it for your
network and you should be good to go.

I think you can dh it as well possibly bypassing the network manager, this could trouble shoot if it is your network manager missing something, that is if the last suggestion does not work. I think it is "dhclient wlan0" not sure at this moment, though you should be able to try and connect the wlan0 using terminal based applications that may bypass the network manager. I once had issues with network manager which is the reason for such suspicion. But like stated, your wireless device is definitely up and running! Thus good so far! : )

Edit: There is a chance the driver could cause issue, though I would not guess so. I would think if your computer say is right next to a router but yet it is little power, you may want to try and change the TX power of your wireless card, though it is a long shot this is some other issue you could pursue, just be sure not to crank the tx power too much or you could burn out your card.

Have you reset you router it some times refreshes things for me after playing with net settings? http://www.clamav.net/lang/en/

I'm not sure about your wireless connection in Linux Mint. It seems to be working.

For your error message, you didn't say how do you get that message, or what application gives you that error message, etc. So I'm guessing it's Nautilus (your file manager). If it's Nautilus then have a look at the following:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/28754...n-ubuntu-13-04
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopi...=55713#p318837
http://askubuntu.com/questions/74789...share-with-nau
http://www.liberiangeek.net/2012/03/...-with-windows/

By the way your error could be failed to retrieve share list from server - No such file or directory. Googling this will give you a lot of results, hence the links.

Thanks for your help everyone. Although I am not quite sure why and they are not perfect. Still it is encouraging.

I have certainly got a connection and today it actually allowed me to get on line and update the original installation, and even to get Firefox to visit sites. It is still rather fragile though and does disconnect from time to time, reconnecting after a minute or so. I am not sure what caused this improvement as it was a gradual process rather than a sudden improvement and indeed it may yet revert to non activity. It does look however as if it works but is finding the signal weak. On the Networking> Wireless window the setting is shown as "Out of range" when the connection goes down. Incidentally when it is connected the usual little fan shaped logo appears alongside a fan with a lock superimposed on it. Is the latter of any significance?

I read the links given in GNU/Linux's post. I cannot claim to have understood all but I managed to absorb some of the info. I did change the Vista file sharing settings and this may have contributed to the improvement seen.

I have recently changed the channel settings following indications given on the inSIDDer programme but this was before I installed LinuxMint and I have reset the router since. The Clamay link seemed to relate to a anti virus programme and I couldn't see a clear connection.

I am afraid Tech7 advice is rather pearls before swine as I am baffled by the implications of changing the TX value or how it might be achieved. Rather less daunting is going to networkmanager in the task bar and configure it for my network as advised by zrdc28 but even there I fear that in my ignorance i would do more harm than good. Can you please give me some indications of the settings required?

Basically what I need to do is to achieve a wireless connection on LinuxMint that is as stable as that on Vista. I am very impressed by what little I have so far seen of LM ... it is really clean looking and well laid out. All it lacks is more stability in the wireless connection.

The sounds of your signal and suspicion of weak signal strength tells me you expect a stronger connection. If you are used to such, or it should be, then there is a chance the TX power is off. This is the power behind your signal. It is like say you removed the antenna from a wireless card, the signal will officially suck. This was just an idea, I cannot remember the code right this second, though you can turn up the tx power for a stronger signal and longer distances. Researching the tx power information, how to change it as well as it's relations to your wireless card in specific could be one route to achieving a stronger signal. Unless you are too far from your router/network, there are only so many reasons you could have a weak strength. Is there any way you can confirm with 100% certainty that the weak signal is due to some part of the computer? Say bring the router or computer closer together?

You can run commands like ifconfig or iplink, ifconfig I believe for mint. Under your wlan0 enterface, there should be a TX number. You should be able to look up this number and see if it is set to where it needs to be. If you decide to experiment you need to do it in super small amounts to be sure not to burn out your wireless, if it is turned up too much it can be burnt out.

In my experiences, I would say 1. possible improper setting of tx power, 2. router too far away, 3. damaged wireless system. Though I could be wrong, I have not experienced any issues related to weak signal strength regarding a software issue.

Not sure if it helps but figured I would toss out what I got : )

TX Info --->

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...eless_settings
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php....2F_RX_Antenna

This is another possible option say your router could be configured? I think the best way to troubleshoot your issue is for one to create some scenario where you can be certain that there is an issue with the signal strength, maybe test other devices and their distance....

http://www.howtogeek.com/56810/how-t...k-with-dd-wrt/
http://www.moxa.com/newsletter/conne...vice_specs.htm
http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php...x-power.25197/

I don't know what I did :confused: I put an apology here this morning but must have closed it rather than posted, unless it's somewhere else? It stated my Glipper-Lite (clipboard or maybe cut and paste (in my new Fatdog64 install) or the way it's going me, could be my touchpad buttons going bad to:() does not seem to be working smoothly (just like my history in Firefox(?)) and the link was supposed to be: http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/14/con...-command-line/
not: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...6/#post5049143
sorry.

Thanks again for your help.

Jameson20000e - The revised link is a very interesting one and simple enough for me to think I understand most of it. I shall try it as soon as i can get the LinuxMint to connect to the net again and I can paste directly to it. This morning alas it showed a connection when I booted into it but lost it as soon as I tried the Firefox browser. When I have time later I will give it another try. My only worry is that if I alter too much then it may effect the performance on the Vista I am using as I post this. I would hate to mess that up.

Tech7 - the problem is indeed that I expect a stronger signal in LinuxMint. Or alternatively for LinuxMint to have a more sensitive/receptive driver or whatever the term is. On the same computer Windows Vista runs perfectly with no connection problems and showing a good signal strength. So although the signal from the router has to pass through a thick stone wall it does so sufficiently well for Vista to operate. The same applies as regards a possible damaged wireless system and an improper setting of the TX power. If they are OK for Vista why should they not work for Linux. I am reluctant to tamper with the TX power lest I upset the connection to Vista and find neither work. My problem is that I am appallingly ignorant about these things and fear tampering may do more harm than good.

The simple solution would be to abandon LinuxMint as unworkable in my situation.I am reluctant to do so because I rather like the look of it and had additionally hoped to install it on a new hard drive on a laptop that I have been given. However if I can't get it to work I shall just have to go back to Windows.

TP-LINK Wireles N Adaptor has drivers for windows, but I'm guessing it doesn't have supported Linux drivers. Please run the following commands in Terminal and post the results in CODE block (When replying, Click 'Go Advanced', and use '#' in editor).
Edit: Unplug the adaptor and connect it again then immediately use the following command. Then attach the 'dmesg.file', it will be in your current directory after you run the following command.
Note: 'sudo dmesg' gives you messages/erros generated by linux kernel '>' redirects that output (lot of text) to a file (dmesg.file, in our case).

Many Thanks GNU/Linux for your latest post. I have been somewhat distracted by work today but will try to follow your instructions tomorrow. They all look very clear but there is one small snag in as much as that I cannot just unplug the Wireless adaptor. I will need to go inside the computer and remove it. Would it surfice just to turn the router off?

I take Dell Insipiron 530s is a desktop machine and doesn't come with built-in wireless capabilities, so you are using TP-LINK Wireles N Adaptor which is a usb-plug-in device to receive signals. Is this correct?

The Dell Inspiron 530s is a desk top machine that came with built in wireless capabilities. I replaced the original adaptor (which was a G specification)with the TP-Link N. It is not a USB plug-in but is built into the computer.

Following upon your remark about TP-Link not supporting Linux I contacted their support people who today replied -

None of the literature that accompanied the product mentions the Hardware version. I am not sure if the driver they mention will suit both chips. And of course I have to persuade Linux to get, and stay, on line to download.

Here is a similar situation
http://askubuntu.com/questions/30144...e-package-loss

And here is another

Thanks GNU/Linux and TroN-0074. By some miracle I found the box that he adaptor came in. (I had used it to store photographic paper). This shows the adapter to be a TL-WN951N and not a TL-WN851N. All the literature I have gives both references.

Moreover in very faint letters ON the bar code label is a faint 'Ver 1.0'.

I have asked TP-Link if this, being 951 and not 851, makes any difference to the information they previously gave.

Hopefully I can then have go at rectifying the situation. Bearing in mind my complete incompetence can either of you, suggest which option I should attempt first? The second detailed option by TroN-0074 above looks user friendly unless GNU?linux has further suggestions?

I am most grateful to both of you , and indeed to all who have helped.

It still says to install ath9k driver see this link
http://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_TL-WN951N_v1

and here is a old thread about it
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1364093

TroN-0074 Sorry to have not replied sooner but the weekend brought distractions that kept me away from the computer. Can you advise me futher please? I hesitate to just blunder on not really knoweing what I ma doing lest I jusy louse it up.

I chrecked the kernel version uname -a which gave me

I am not at all sure though as to which the appropriate driver is on the http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/ath9k webpage. Should I go for the most stable backport as in = backports/stable/v3.11-rc3/backports-3.11-rc3-1.tar.bz2? Or try and find something that corresponds to the Atheros AR5416+AR2122 reference (AR5008) given to me by TP-Link? I really don't understand what a backport is for a start.

The good news is that this morning the wireless connection ohas behaved itself and has bot dropped once. I don't want to mess it up by doing something stupid.

For what I saw post #18 is still valid for the wireless card you have. however you said you can connect but it becomes very unstable, that is the part I don't know why. it might be the wireless manager in Linux Mint or it maybe some other software issues. Not really sure.
I did a search on the web and nobody mention issues with the computer you have running Linux maybe a different distro will do? Maybe a different release of Linux Mint? I cant really say.

That is what I would like to suggest! Pop in the 'ol Live cd of some other system and compare....You never know! Then let us know if you do, because I have been all over trying to figure this one out.. : )

Sorted by "popularity"(you decide) and all free! Especially in the earlier days I'd just switch distros if I'd spend too much time and effort but things still wouldn't do what I wanted although the better you, distros and soft\hard\ware get...:jawa:

Thanks everyone for your comments and help. I to have been distracted over the last few days by work issues. I also am feeling a bit of a fraud ... albeit a mystified one.

On the 28th I posted

#The good news is that this morning the wireless connection has behaved itself and has not dropped once.# give or take a couple of typos.

On the 29th this continued . The connection was stable until it dropped completely whilst watching a video of a rugby match on Youtube. I had a message that an error had occurred ... no details but with a suggestion that I try again later.

Then a window appeared, unsolicited, from my server Plusnet inviting me to reconfigure the router access. There was nothing that seemed to need changing so I just re-entered the existing settings.

Since then the wireless connection has remained absolutely stable. No problems at all. Whether it will last I do not know. Neither do I know if resetting the router made any difference as indeed it seemed to be OK before that.

Maybe it just sort of got used to the system. Whatever it is I am for the moment going to take no further action other than keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again everyone who helped. Maybe one of the things tried sparked off the recovery.

So for what I see the problem was from the internet provider end and the router.

So change nothing in your computer for now and keep us posted. Perhaps if you see problems in the future contact your internet company first to confirm they haven't change anything.

Wish you best luck.

No news is good news, msplatt :).

Again thanks again all. I have another small problem which I will appreciate your help but that is doubtless best aired under another thread.