Hi,

Not exactly sure this is the right forum for this but I'll give it a whirl. I'm trying to set up a usb antenna with my Lenovo ThinkPad. This is strictly an antenna, not a booster so it's function is simply to increase the strength of the wifi signal. It is an Alfa UBDo antenna. I realize this is a new network configuration with new hardware, so I have to configure it with my existing network. How do I go about doing this? Any help will be much appreciated. I believe this has to go through the Settings/Network menu, but I'm not sure.

I am using Xubuntu 16.04 and I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T400. Thank you!

There were different models on Alfa's website so it might help if you post the model number and the output of the lsusb command.

If the device is automatically recognized a wireless device should be created. Look at the output of the dmesg command. If you have a wireless icon on the desktop which is the network manager applet, you should be able to right click, edit connections and be able to configure the adapter.

Yes, this is the new model of the Alfa. It is UBDo-nt. In response to the lsusb command I received this:

Bus 002 Device 002: ID 148f:3070 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT2870/RT3070 Wireless Adapter
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 003: ID 0a5c:2145 Broadcom Corp. BCM2045B (BDC-2.1) [Bluetooth Controller]
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 08ff:2810 AuthenTec, Inc. AES2810
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Ralink is Alfa's company name.The dmesg command produces too much material
to include here. What should I be looking for?

When I right click on the wifi icon (the "fan" shaped symbol) at the top
of the screen, I just see

Indicator Plugin
Properties
About
Move
Remove
Panel

I don't think that's what you had in mind. I'm not sure I know what the network manager applet is...

Thanks.

Yes, I was referring to the wifi icon which as far as I know is the network manager applet. What happens when you left click?

It appears the UBDo-nt uses the Ralink RT3070 chipset which uses the rt2800usb module. You can search for particular messages in the dmesg output via the command

dmesg | grep RT3070
or
dmesg | grep rt2800
or
dmesg | grep wl (The wireless adapter device should start with a wl)


https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users

Hmmm...Does this help at all?

New USB device found, idVendor=148f, idProduct=3070
[ 5764.293200] usb 2-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[ 5764.293202] usb 2-2: Product: 802.11 n WLAN
[ 5764.293203] usb 2-2: Manufacturer: Ralink
[ 5764.293205] usb 2-2: SerialNumber: 1.0
[ 5764.408010] usb 2-2: reset high-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
[ 5764.550447] ieee80211 phy3: rt2x00_set_rt: Info - RT chipset 3070, rev 0201 detected
[ 5764.578697] ieee80211 phy3: rt2x00_set_rf: Info - RF chipset 0005 detected
[ 5764.579100] ieee80211 phy3: Selected rate control algorithm 'minstrel_ht'
[ 5765.674524] rt2800usb 2-2:1.0 wlx00c0ca84b0ac: renamed from wlan1
[ 5765.696070] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5765.696127] ieee80211 phy3: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Loading firmware file 'rt2870.bin'
[ 5765.696155] ieee80211 phy3: rt2x00lib_request_firmware: Info - Firmware detected - version: 0.29
[ 5765.955193] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5766.008546] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5809.250395] e1000e: eth0 NIC Link is Down
[ 5809.269672] wlan0: deauthenticating from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 by local choice (Reason: 3=DEAUTH_LEAVING)
[ 5809.351373] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
[ 5809.351377] cfg80211: DFS Master region: unset
[ 5809.351379] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 5809.351382] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5809.351390] cfg80211: (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5809.351392] cfg80211: (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5809.351394] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5809.351396] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 5809.351398] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 5809.351400] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5809.351402] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 0 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5858.989511] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 5859.184183] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 5859.186774] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 5859.186944] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 5859.187407] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 5859.187507] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 5859.287684] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 5859.288484] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 5859.288584] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 5859.316625] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 5859.319204] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5859.583045] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5859.684102] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 5859.690858] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 5862.897254] wlan0: authenticate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 5862.898757] wlan0: send auth to f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 5862.945035] wlan0: authenticated
[ 5862.948032] wlan0: associate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 5862.950326] wlan0: RX AssocResp from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (capab=0x511 status=0 aid=41)
[ 5862.954556] wlan0: associated
[ 5862.954596] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
[ 5863.028440] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: US
[ 5863.028444] cfg80211: DFS Master region: FCC
[ 5863.028446] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 5863.028448] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5863.028450] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 1700 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5863.028452] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 5863.028454] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 5863.028456] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5863.028458] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 5863.046631] wlan0: Limiting TX power to 30 (30 - 0) dBm as advertised by f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 6302.892746] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
[ 6302.892750] cfg80211: DFS Master region: unset
[ 6302.892752] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 6302.892754] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6302.892756] cfg80211: (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6302.892758] cfg80211: (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6302.892760] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6302.892762] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 6302.892764] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 6302.892766] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6302.892767] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 0 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6305.616021] wlan0: authenticate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 6305.622209] wlan0: send auth to f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 6305.625153] wlan0: authenticated
[ 6305.628056] wlan0: associate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 6305.631494] wlan0: RX AssocResp from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (capab=0x511 status=0 aid=41)
[ 6305.633384] wlan0: associated
[ 6305.640074] wlan0: Limiting TX power to 30 (30 - 0) dBm as advertised by f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 6305.707062] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: US
[ 6305.707066] cfg80211: DFS Master region: FCC
[ 6305.707068] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 6305.707070] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6305.707073] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 1700 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6305.707075] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 6305.707077] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 6305.707078] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 6305.707080] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.414652] wlan0: deauthenticating from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 by local choice (Reason: 3=DEAUTH_LEAVING)
[ 7459.495061] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
[ 7459.495065] cfg80211: DFS Master region: unset
[ 7459.495067] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 7459.495069] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.495071] cfg80211: (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.495073] cfg80211: (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.495075] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.495077] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7459.495079] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7459.495081] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7459.495082] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 0 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7562.242349] e1000e: eth0 NIC Link is Down
[ 7577.637694] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 7577.836434] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 7577.839841] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7577.842525] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7594.172881] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7594.173340] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7594.173430] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 7594.281633] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7594.282107] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7594.282206] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 7594.309443] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7594.575200] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7594.655186] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7594.661534] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7597.846553] wlan0: authenticate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 7597.848123] wlan0: send auth to f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 7597.939206] wlan0: authenticated
[ 7597.940042] wlan0: associate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 7597.942803] wlan0: RX AssocResp from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (capab=0x511 status=0 aid=44)
[ 7597.947411] wlan0: associated
[ 7597.947464] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
[ 7597.995273] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: US
[ 7597.995276] cfg80211: DFS Master region: FCC
[ 7597.995278] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 7597.995280] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7597.995283] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 1700 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7597.995285] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7597.995287] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7597.995288] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7597.995290] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7598.040131] wlan0: Limiting TX power to 30 (30 - 0) dBm as advertised by f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 7641.640285] e1000e: eth0 NIC Link is Down
[ 7641.669914] wlan0: deauthenticating from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 by local choice (Reason: 3=DEAUTH_LEAVING)
[ 7641.722761] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
[ 7641.722765] cfg80211: DFS Master region: unset
[ 7641.722767] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 7641.722769] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7641.722771] cfg80211: (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7641.722773] cfg80211: (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7641.722774] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7641.722777] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7641.722778] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7641.722780] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 2000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7641.722781] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 0 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7651.238867] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 7651.432304] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
[ 7651.434176] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7651.434368] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7651.434821] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7651.434910] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 7651.535876] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7651.536741] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: L1 Enabled - LTR Disabled
[ 7651.536832] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Radio type=0x1-0x2-0x0
[ 7651.565482] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7651.568971] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7651.835187] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7651.914735] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 7651.919458] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlx00c0ca84b0ac: link is not ready
[ 7655.081749] wlan0: authenticate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6
[ 7655.083816] wlan0: send auth to f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 7655.183331] wlan0: authenticated
[ 7655.184058] wlan0: associate with f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (try 1/3)
[ 7655.186384] wlan0: RX AssocResp from f8:2c:18:58:93:b6 (capab=0x511 status=0 aid=45)
[ 7655.189436] wlan0: associated
[ 7655.189482] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
[ 7655.238557] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: US
[ 7655.238562] cfg80211: DFS Master region: FCC
[ 7655.238563] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp), (dfs_cac_time)
[ 7655.238566] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7655.238568] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 1700 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7655.238570] cfg80211: (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 80000 KHz, 160000 KHz AUTO), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7655.238572] cfg80211: (5490000 KHz - 5730000 KHz @ 160000 KHz), (N/A, 2300 mBm), (0 s)
[ 7655.238574] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 80000 KHz), (N/A, 3000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7655.238575] cfg80211: (57240000 KHz - 63720000 KHz @ 2160000 KHz), (N/A, 4000 mBm), (N/A)
[ 7655.284876] wlan0: Limiting TX power to 30 (30 - 0) dBm as advertised by f8:2c:18:58:93:b6

How about this...

I found a box (under wi-fi) that says
"Create New Wi-fi Network"

Adapter: "Ralink 802.11 n WLAN"

Network Name [blank] you choose

Security: WEP 128-bit Passphrase

Key [blank] password?

So is this what I'm looking for? If so, how do I go about setting it up?
Do I need to choose a network name?
A new password?

Looks like everything is working. I would have expected when you click on the wireless icon that it would display found wireless networks. When you click on the desired network a password box should be displayed if it is protected. Once entered hopefully you will be connected.

Yes, okay...found the password box and entered requisite password. Works like a charm! Thanks. Only one other question...it appears that you have to enter the password every time you want to use the antenna. Is that correct? Why isn't it stored in memory the same way that the Intel network is stored in memory? Is this a safety measure or what? It's a bit of an inconvenience to have to put in the long password key every time you want to use the antenna...why isn't the name of the network just stored in memory?

What makes the Alfa a bit confusing is that it is a "passive" means of boosting the signal; not an active one like a booster or repeater. A booster has to be installed through the router, but an antenna (despite my experience!) is not supposed to require any configuration. My difficulty has been to get this external adapter "recognized" by my computer without having to input the pass code every time I want to use it. There has to be a way to do this--I've just been unable to find it. Any suggestions will be welcomed!

The Alfa is USB wireless adapter. If the OS has support for the chipset then the driver is automatically loaded and a device ID created.

From googling I believe there is a setting to enable wireless for all users that will save the password. Look for a checkbox or a icon that you can select when you type in the password.

Is it not necessary to download an additional driver for the Alfa UBDo-nt? That is what the manufacturer insists in nearly every case. There seems to be some disagreement about when drivers are necessary and when they aren't.

When I put the command "lsmod | grep rt2800" in a terminal, I get nothing by way of response. Does that sound right?

If your adapter is already supported by a driver that is already included with the distribution and it works, then no, it's usually not necessary to download and install another driver.

If the driver you're using now works the way it should, use that. The manufacturer's driver isn't necessary in this case.

Regards...

If you're using the rt2800 module, something should come up. Try opening a terminal and then copy and paste this command into the terminal...

Then hit "Enter." Copy and paste the results in your next post. If you still get nothing, try just using...

and post the entire output.

Regards...

Here you go...how about this? Does this seem right?

ThinkPad-T400:~$ lsmod | grep rt2800
rt2800usb 28672 0
rt2x00usb 24576 1 rt2800usb
rt2800lib 94208 1 rt2800usb
rt2x00lib 57344 3 rt2x00usb,rt2800lib,rt2800usb
crc_ccitt 16384 1 rt2800lib
mac80211 737280 4 rt2x00lib,rt2x00usb,rt2800lib,iwldvm

I've no idea how to interpret that! But thanks for the suggestion.