Hi...

What this is showing is the driver/module that is included with your kernel, however, you are missing the necessary firmware for it.

Regards...

ardvark71,

The exact name of the package is "firmware-realtek_0.43_all.deb". What do I do now?

And before we go any further, can I ask something?

I googled "linux rtl8188ce", and the first result is this. Would you mind maybe checking that? It looks to me:

1. This is a good working driver.
2. This driver has some nice features like being able to change Rx power.
3. The source code to this driver seems also to be available (indeed its address being on that page).

Would it be okay that you help me maybe install this one?

Thanks a lot again for your help.

Vexon,

1. AFAIK, it is impossible to get that RTL8188CE working in Trisquel since you have no ethernet connection and therefore the necessary software to make it function cannot be downloaded and installed.

2. You would have a fighting chance with antiX-16.1, IF you could install it without internet access, since there is a very good chance that this distro would recognise and enable the RTL8188CE.

3. With your existing Trisquel installed, you just need a decent USB wifi adapter, either D-Link N150 USB or TP-Link WN727N to have a functioning wireless connection.

Options 1 and 2 require an ethernet connection which you say you do not have.

That leaves option 3.

You can back it up first. Although most of it is distro provided so reinstalling those packages restores what was there. Although doesn't by itself remove new things.

Firmware is NOT on the chip until the driver loads, because the driver puts it there. Certain things like radios have unique considerations depending on where you are in the world. And sometimes firmware needs to change when ABI's and API's change.

1 members found this post helpful.

If you have another PC to download the file, and put on say a USB drive, download this file ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/pool/non...k_0.43_all.deb

Insert the USB drive and mount it (usually as simple as opening a file manager, and clicking the drive.

Now you should see that file.

If synaptic is installed (a package manager, I can't say if Trisquel installs it be default), run it. Enter your root password when prompted. Under the File menu, choose "Add Downloaded Packages". Then select to install it if it does not do so automatically. Click Apply. Reboot. You should hopefully be set.

If you don't have Synaptic, we'll have to do this in a slightly more involved way.

Open up a Terminal window. Type each of these commands ($ and # are the prompt, only type what is in bold).

It should hopefully install the package, and give you no errors. If successful, reboot.

I know, I was just kidding anyway.

Again, what's exactly is the difference between the firmware and the driver? I thought you guys were using the terms interchangeably for convenience. Isn't firmware the (rather) unchangeable software inside the physical chip. Maybe you can refer me to a webpage that can explain this nicely, no??

Ok, so what's the driver name?

Hi...

The one reservation I have is that Trisquel is not supported with this driver. I would agree with beachboy2, if you don't have access to an ethernet connection, it's going to be very difficult to impossible to get a full driver installed, if it's not already included.

You're welcome.

Regards...

Driver is what the kernel uses to communicate with the hardware.

The firmware (I think the name is misleading but hey whatever) is loaded on to the card by the driver to enable the card to function. As stated previously, because of varying regional restrictions, cheap-ness, whatever, the same hardware could have different levels of functionality by providing different 'firmware' for the same hardware. It's just how the hardware manufacturers do things.

The driver module in your case is included with the kernel, so you needn't worry about that. Once we can get your firmware loaded, you should be all set. Hopefully my previous post helps you a little.

Troll alert anyone? - just joking

Take a look through my Google search here.

Not sure if it will work but you can try this command...

Regards...

Can I not download the necessary software on another machine, put it on a USB stick, transfer to the Trisquel machine and then install it offline? I mean, I have installed the entire operating system that way. So, one driver shouldn't be a problem, no?

Can I please kindly ask you to not to suggest me to buy a new WiFi card again? I am in a third world country; amazon doesn't deliver here; I don't have a credit card; nobody I know has a credit card; I don't know anybody anyway; and last but not least, I don't even have money to buy food, how the hell am I gonna buy some WiFi card online? So, pretty please!

So, that option is impossibly unavailable to me. I would have to resort to installing Windows before doing that.

So, can somebody give me maybe some constructive advice on how I can (in particular) install the driver (found here)for this piece of equipment. Please...

I already did.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ml#post5667436

Vexon,

Unfortunately, mind-reading has never been my strong suit.

In any event, goumba appears to have answered your question in an earlier post.

I hope you get your problem solved shortly.

Trisquel by design OMITs the non-free firmware that you need to use the card. Insert short answer, use a different distro, use a different wifi card. Long answer, install the driver by non-Trisquel (distro) means. As previous explained in a technical manner, special language, whatever you want to call it. Longer answer call the manufacturer of the chipset and get them to walk you through installing the software to use their product #goodluckwiththat.

As far as the .deb you have, various ways to use that even on non-.deb based distros.

$ ar -x package.deb
$ dpkg -x package.deb

to extract the contents under the current path.

# dpkg -i package.deb

to install it on a .deb based distro

$ alien package.deb

to convert it to another package type for non-.deb distros. The reverse for .rpm converted to .deb on .deb based distros. Some of these tools may not be installed by default, like alien.

Hi goumba,

I downloaded the package, put it on a USB stick, and then transferred it to the offline machine. I copied it to the Desktop. I see the file on the Desktop.

I did not bother with Synaptic.

Opened up a Terminal, typed the first command, and got a million results. Such that the screen can't even scroll up any further to see all the results. I am attaching pictures of the screen. First one is the top of the scroll, the second one is the end.

What can I do now?

Attached Thumbnails