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Linux Mint wi-fi how to do it?

I've just loaded Linux Mint onto an old and spare HDD to get started and learn about the OS..

I need however to connect to the net wirelessly using a Belkin router I'm already using for Windows.

Problem is I don't understand what I need to do!

Can someone "talk" me through this or show a link that is simple to understand for simple people,ie me!

I'm keen to have a go with Mint but as I'm learning need a bit of help please.

Thanks.

Hello and Welcome to LinuxQuestions,

You came to the right place for help. But in order to be able to help you we'll need more information about the hardware you're using. Can you open a terminal (Click on Menu and you should see Terminal amongst your default favorites) and type the following commands in it:

Code:

lspci

iwconfig

In the output of the first command you'll see lines that have Ethernet controller or Network controller in them. Post all of the lines with those words in them. The second command will tell us if wireless extensions are enabled on any of your devices (in other words, if the driver(s) are the correct ones).

Kind regards,

Eric

these commands are to help us to know what your system thinks is installed (not necessarily to get you connected).

Code:

lspci # will tell us the pci devices you have in your system.

lsusb # will tell us the usb devices you have in your system.

ifconfig # will tell us what network interface cards you have turned on in your system.

ifconfig -a # will tell us all the network interface cards you have in your system.

iwconfig # will tell us which of your network interface cards has wireless capability 

cat /etc/resolv.conf # will show us what the pc is using as a dns server.

now that we know that, this should get you connected:

Code:

sudo iwlist device scan # this will use the device interface (that from the above command, we found out has wireless capability) and scan for wireless routers that are accessible.

sudo iwconfig device essid "myssid" # assuming no security, use that device to connect to your router.

sudo dhclient # will attempt to get ip-address, subnet mask, dns server information automatically from your router assuming dhcp is turned on on your router.

also, make sure there isnt some switch or key combination to turn on/off the wireless radio.

Gentlemen I owe you both an apology.

It only dawned on me a few minutes ago that I have loaded Mint on a old HDD on my PC which isn't wi-fi enabled.

I have a USB plug-in dongle which I use for XP on the other HDD in this ancient PC but when I try to run that it doesn't like it presumably because it is for Windows and not compatible with Linux?

What do I need to do to enable the PC with something that Linux works with please?

I'm really sorry to have wasted your time thus far but I did say I was simple or maybe I should have said stupid!

Plug in your USB-dongle and post the output of the commands

Code:

lsusb

and

Code:

iwconfig

This will show us which chipset your USB-dongle is using so that we can help you to get it working.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD (Post 4332614)

Plug in your USB-dongle and post the output of the commands

Code:

lsusb

and

Code:

iwconfig

This will show us which chipset your USB-dongle is using so that we can help you to get it working.

Hi, mate

Assuming I've done this properly I got ;

lsusb = Bus 001 Device 002 : ID 148f : 2070 Ralink Technology Corp. RT270 wireless adaptor

iwconfig = no wireless extensions

ethO = no wireless extensions

Does this make sense?

Thanks.

here a list of cards that will work with drivers,How to guides, the Ralink homepage, and Ralink linux support... I don't know if this will solve your problem, but you may find them useful.

http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/...reless_Drivers

(All you have to know is your wifi adapter is Ralink RT270 - if all fails search google: ralink RT270 Linux mint) Good luck, hope you get everything up and running right! :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hevithan (Post 4332871)

Thank you.

It's really nice that so many folks have offered me help in my ignorance!

Don't go away guys I will probably still be around for a long time yet!!!