Recently installed Linux Mint onto my Compaq Presario Powerbook and can no longer connect to wireless networks on Windows 7 partition
 

Howdy all -

Fairly new to Linux, so a fix that isn't mega-technical, or a step-by-step how-to would be uber-appreciated.

Here's my issue: after installing Linux Mint from a USB the internet connections are working fine on my Linux partition, but when I try to access the internet on Windows 7, the only thing I see is "No networks detected".

I know that this description is super vague - as I said, I'm new to Linux and not great at technical computer stuff - but if someone would be able to help, or even make a suggestion, I'd be really really appreciative.

Thank you so much in advance.
-Ben

Hi benjaminthomas and welcome to LQ.

First, not the worst thing in the world, however general profanities are not appropriate for the forums. Please edit your post and try to express yourself without the swear word.

If I'm to understand your problem correctly:

You have Linux installed and all is fine with the network.

You next comment about a network problem with Windows 7.

How are you running Windows 7?
Is your system dual boot where you can boot into Linux or Windows alternatively?
Did this system originally have Windows 7 and the network also did work fine?
How are you physically access a network? Wireless or wired with an Ethernet cable?
Or are you running Windows through a virtual environment inside of Linux?

Recommended LQ Newbie forum reading

Some more info
 

Thanks for the reply, apologies for the language, I tend to talk like a trash person when something frustrates me and I have to talk about it. Anyways, moving on:

You asked:
--------------

How are you running Windows 7?
Is your system dual boot where you can boot into Linux or Windows alternatively?
Did this system originally have Windows 7 and the network also did work fine?
How are you physically access a network? Wireless or wired with an Ethernet cable?
Or are you running Windows through a virtual environment inside of Linux?

--------------

My computer came with Windows 7 Home Professional as its native Operating System, I installed Linux about 7 months ago via a USB device, and I've had network issues since Day 1 of the installation. Yes, I can dual-boot into either Linux or Windows, I've never had an issue with the booting process. As I said, originally a Windows laptop, and before installing Linux the network connections were working fine. I've always accessed the network via wireless, just because I don't have an ethernet cord handy.

--------------

Any other information you need I'll be happy to provide.
-Ben

Try re-booting Win7 (from Win7) - I've seen reports where the chip isn't initialised to Windows liking. Quick and easy test. From a Mint terminal run this and post the reults in [code] tags ("Go Advanced", the the "#" button).

Here ya go:

I'm not gonna lie, the majority of what I just copy-pasted is way over my head. I fully intend to do some courses this summer to help me better understand computers and how exactly they work, because it's something I'm passionate about, but until that happens I guess you're sorta stuck with my noobish ways. Apologies.

-Ben

Your problem is that your windows now does not seem to work for wireless?

Could there be some oddity of a wifi enable/disable key,button,hotkey or bios entry?

I'm not sure, when I boot Windows I have no issues with the Wireless switching on and off intermittently etc., there's just no connections available, and when I hit Troubleshoot it does a scan and says "No fix detected".

Also, sorry for complaining, I figure it probably annoys people who are computer-savvy and know their way around this stuff, and I didn't mean to come off as ungrateful or something like that, I was just hoping to get some help. Again, apologies.

-Ben

That's ok, we all gotta learn. That was for our edification - saves asking a lot of questions you likely won't know the answers to.
Of particular interest is the wifi card manufacturer and driver in use for it.
Realtek is a real problem child in Linux in that it has a history of not working with developers to release its proprietary drivers. I have avoided them for years.

I haven't seen any reports like yours - did you try the reboot I suggested ?.

Thanks for the support, I'm going to try the reboot next.
I just want to make sure that I do it right so that nothing else goes wrong with my laptop.

F.Y.I. I've never actually done a system reboot so I'll probably read up on how to do it first.

When booted into Windows, I'd recommend you open a command prompt and type the command, "ipconfig /all", this will print out all of the information for your network connections.

I would familiarize yourself with your WIFI SSID name and any other ones which you see normally in your area. Such as if you have a phone and there are neighboring WIFI which you "see" but don't or can't connect to, at least you know they may show up. Then go into the Windows control panel to manage the wireless networks and see if you can figure out if the adapter is detected, if it is working correctly, and if it sees any networks. You're saying that it does not, I do understand this. I wonder what the output of the ipconfig /all command will show, it should show your wireless adapter and some information about it's state.

Just so you're on the correct page - he means restart the computer. Log into windows, restart the PC, and go back into windows.

Here ya go, have some CMD info :)
 

From what I've heard, Realtek has a history of not working well with Linux.

Ah, you're talking about a re-install. That hopefully shouldn't be necessary.

If you go into Control Panel->System->Device Manager, do you see your wireless card (the Realtek RTL8191SEvA Wireless LAN Controller) listed under "Network Adapters"? If not, do you see any items that have a warning icon on them?