I have ThinkPad T43.
I normally use Debian stable, but was forced to install Ubuntu, because I couldn´t connect with my Debian installation--only wifi is available to me at this time.

I couldn´t download any firmware, or whatever that was I was supposed to get, so I installed Ubuntu and I got connected (wifi) straight at the install.

My question:

How could I dupplicate the what-ever Ubuntu did at the install in Debian should I ever attempt to reinstall Debian again? What packages should I download (using Ubuntu that I currently have) and save on a memory stick to use later when I have Debian reinstalled?

Thank you, sincerely - Mr. Jan Hearthstone.

Do you know what your wifi is on your PC?

type into a terminal and post the output here in a code box which is the # at the top of the reply to post box. Once you have done that we can probably tell you what firmware you need to get.

1 members found this post helpful.

Debian does not include any non-free firmware in the official distribution.

As above, identify your wireless chipset with lspci, and have a look at wiki.debian.org/WiFi for instructions.
Download any required packages beforehand.

Alternatively, there is an unofficial ISO (findable with a search engine of your choice) that includes proprietary firmware (check if yours is included).

If you have pretty new hardware, you may also need to update the kernel & firmware from backports.debian.org, the squeeze kernel is getting a bit old now.

2 members found this post helpful.

I currently run Ubuntu 12.04 (no Debian installed yet).

lscpci:

--snip--
04:02.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05)
--snip--

I did internet search and found out that I, most probably need "ipw2200" driver.

Would this be the only thing I´d need along with ¨wicd¨?

I would like to install Debian testing (I would prefer stable), because someone said somewhere (reliable source, not) that Debian testing I can install from the cd, because this has the capability to connect to wifi during the install--the same as Ubuntu does.

Might this be true? I would like to know before I buy the Debian testing install cd (my cd burner is on the ¨fritz¨ currently).

Thanks, Hearthstone.

Instructions here - http://wiki.debian.org/ipw2200

Looks like no difference between stable and testing installer.
I always prefer the stable installer, and dist-upgrade if it is for a testing or sid machine.

1 members found this post helpful.

You need the firmware package firmware-ipw2x00, download it put it on a flash drive, the Debian installer will ask for it and install it, and poof like magic you will have wifi.

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you all!

I couldn´t get wicd to work, no matter what I did--but once I stopped network-manager, it just kicked in! For some reason the NM is a default, perhaps?

Sincerely - Hearthstone.