Getting wifi to work with Linux
 

I have a live CD of Cent OS, and I'd like to get wifi working on it. It wont detect any wireless networks. I'm also having the same problem on live CD's of Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint and Opensuse. Since no version of Linux works with my Internet I'm assuming its not a problem with Linux.

My computer is an HP, it came pre-installed with Windows Home Premium...I'm afraid that's as specific as I can get...

Also, I think it might be a problem with the f12 key. The f12 key is supposed to toggle the Wifi on and off. When the f12 key is lit white that means the wifi is on, when its red the wifi is off. This key seems to work well with Windows, but when I boot into Linux it is red, and pressing the key does not enable Wifi.

Well I am very frustrated with this. I would greatly appreciate any help or ideas on what I can do to get Linux to detect wireless networks. Thank you.

Edit: I've just booted up the Cent OS live CD from another computer, and the Internet here is working just fine. I'd like to get it working with my laptop.

You can identify your wireless "chipset" with the Terminal command:

This will list a bunch of hardware, if you scan through, you should see your wireless. Here's what mine looks like:

Post back with more details and we'll try to help. :)

This is the output for the Ethernet controller and Network controller. I hope this is useful, because I had to type it manually (since I cant copy and paste between computers)

...But I'm not sure what those commands do, or what the output means. :D

You probably have to install the firmware for the broadcom, considering you have an HP.

See this thread, which should learn you pretty good ;)

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...dv9000-841766/

I hope that helps :)

Kindest regards,

.

I'm back, juiceb0x... there is a Linux driver for your Realtek RTL8188CE wireless device at the Realtek website. You'll need to unzip it and follow the instructions of the readme.txt inside. If you need further assistance with this project, check the centos forums:

http://www.centos.org/modules/newbb/

Alternately you could purchase an inexpensive wireless card that is known to be Linux-friendly.

In addition, CentOS is really a desktop/server operating system and doubt it will have out of the box live support for your wireless adapter. You did not indicate if the working computer was wired or wireless. Unfortunately I do not know which live distribution supports this adapter.

Nonsense; the issue has nothing to do with imaginary limitations of CentOS (the OP had the same problem with Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint and Opensuse) and everything to do with Realtek's failure to provide an open-source driver.

I have installed CentOS on several laptops and netbooks and found it to be fast and very stable.

I was only stating that CentOS would probably not support the wireless adapter from a live CD. I also could not find any information on what if any Live distribution did have support.

I have nothing against CentOS and have it installed on several desktops.

CentOS has a laptop wireless guide but unfortunately it does not include your RealTek card:

http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Laptops/Wireless