No problem with the requests. I'm learning more all the time.
Keeps the mind active even there's snow on the roof.

I'll reboot and run rfkill list and lsmod.
Back in a few.

Here's the latest....

rfkill list


0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no

lsmod


Module Size Used by
nls_iso8859_1 12713 1
bnep 19624 2
rfcomm 69509 0
bluetooth 446409 10 bnep,rfcomm
6lowpan_iphc 18702 1 bluetooth
arc4 12608 2
binfmt_misc 17468 1
snd_hda_codec_realtek 77467 1
snd_hda_codec_generic 69011 1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
rt73usb 31602 0
rt2x00usb 20742 1 rt73usb
rt2x00lib 55307 2 rt73usb,rt2x00usb
mac80211 652777 2 rt2x00lib,rt2x00usb
cfg80211 494362 2 mac80211,rt2x00lib
dm_multipath 22843 0
scsi_dh 14882 1 dm_multipath
snd_hda_intel 30469 3
snd_hda_controller 30228 1 snd_hda_intel
snd_hda_codec 139682 4 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_controller
snd_hwdep 17698 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 104112 3 snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_controller
kvm_amd 60328 0
snd_seq_midi 13564 0
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
kvm 452088 1 kvm_amd
snd_rawmidi 30876 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 63074 2 snd_seq_midi_event,snd_seq_midi
serio_raw 13483 0
k10temp 13144 0
snd_seq_device 14497 3 snd_seq,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_midi
edac_core 56549 0
edac_mce_amd 22578 0
snd_timer 29562 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
shpchp 37047 0
snd 79468 16 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hwdep,snd_timer,snd_pcm,snd_seq,snd_rawmidi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_ codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_seq_device
soundcore 15047 2 snd,snd_hda_codec
i2c_nforce2 13234 0
parport_pc 32741 0
ppdev 17671 0
mac_hid 13227 0
lp 17759 0
parport 42348 3 lp,ppdev,parport_pc
dm_mirror 22135 0
dm_region_hash 20862 1 dm_mirror
dm_log 18411 2 dm_region_hash,dm_mirror
hid_logitech_dj 18469 0
usbhid 52616 0
hid 110426 3 usbhid,hid_logitech_dj
uas 23159 0
usb_storage 66545 2 uas
pata_acpi 13053 0
nouveau 1206535 3
mxm_wmi 13021 1 nouveau
wmi 19193 2 mxm_wmi,nouveau
video 20128 1 nouveau
i2c_algo_bit 13413 1 nouveau
ttm 93588 1 nouveau
drm_kms_helper 61574 1 nouveau
drm 311018 6 ttm,drm_kms_helper,nouveau
firewire_ohci 40551 0
sata_nv 27757 2
firewire_core 68769 1 firewire_ohci
forcedeth 71570 0
crc_itu_t 12707 2 rt73usb,firewire_core
pata_amd 18230 0

Hi Steve...

From what I can guess so far, you are actually using two USB adapters. From what I see here, it appears you have an internal adapter that uses the rt73usb driver. I can't find anything on the Atheros adapter.

EDIT: Just looked at your logs. I see the rt73usb module loaded, so the Ralink device is what Linux is seeing. I don't see anything for your Atheros device.

Let me poke around and see if it's possible to get this adapter working. I'm guessing this is a firmware issue.

What do you see when you disconnect the Atheros adapter and try to log into a network?

Regards...

The ethernet wired connection is the only connection detected ( cable is unplugged error).

I think we may have had the best idea so far yesterday. I will try hard wiring this thing to the net and see what happens.

Signing off for now and packing this thing upstairs.

Steve

From what I'm reading from different sites (such as here,) this adapter should be working. Apart trying from trying another set of drivers or purchasing the adapter I mentioned in a previous post, I'm not sure what to suggest.

Except that...

Unplug the Atheros adapter, reboot into Mint and try to log in to your wireless network.

You could check to see if you have the firmware installed, which might be in /lib/firmware but I'm not sure in your case.

I did find these drivers but I'm not sure if they are different (or better) than what you currently have installed (or even if they'd work.)

Also, I would recommend using the nvidia proprietary graphics driver instead of the one from nouveau. You can change this by using the "driver manager" once you get an internet connection established. It should be in the menu list somewhere. As a fellow forum member, jkirchner, said in another thread, the entry has an "icon looks like a little pci card."

Regards...

I am a bit embarrassed by the solution.
Here it is:
I brought the router/ wireless broadcaster to the computer ( easier move) and plugged in the ethernet. We have internet!
Next I brought up the Ralink and looked for wireless connections. Found the local and installed flawlessly.
Continued to run after unplugging the ethernet cable so I knew that the wireless connection is working.
Take the router back upstairs and NO INTERNET. Reboot and no internet or device found. OFB ( old farm boy) thinks about radios getting out of range and seeming to have disappeared. I rummage around in the junk drawer and find an antenna that just screws right in to the back of the computer.

Reboot and problem solved. Bottom line is that I overlooked the most obvious thing and had been for a long time. The oddball usb stick was never needed.

Point of reference: this device reports as an Atheros 9271 in the Windoze inf file.

Thank you for all of the help and insight.
Now to try and solved the problems with "holding damaged packets" when I try and load a program.

Steve

You're welcome, glad you got it working!

Sometimes issues like this are hard to diagnose when you're not looking at the actual system. Don't forget about the nvidia driver that I mentioned above.

Also, if you would, please mark this thread as "SOLVED" by clicking on "Thread Tools" directly above your initial (very first) post. Thanks!

Regards...