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

benjaminthomas · 09-14-2017, 08:49 AM

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

rtmistler · 09-14-2017, 12:21 PM

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

benjaminthomas · 09-14-2017, 07:43 PM

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

syg00 · 09-14-2017, 08:44 PM

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).

Code:

inxi -Fx

benjaminthomas · 09-14-2017, 09:32 PM

Here ya go:

Code:

 Host: benjamin-thomas Kernel: 4.4.0-21-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.3.1)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.0.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18 Sarah
Machine:   System: Hewlett-Packard (portable) product: Presario CQ62 Notebook PC v: 049B110000202810000020000
           Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 1484 v: 77.19
           Bios: Hewlett-Packard v: F.17 date: 07/06/2010
CPU:       Dual core Pentium T4500 (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 9176
           clock speeds: max: 2300 MHz 1: 1600 MHz 2: 2300 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.04hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel GM45 Express
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 11.2.0 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-21-generic
Network:   Card-1: Realtek RTL8191SEvA Wireless LAN Controller
           driver: rtl8192se port: 3000 bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: wlo1 state: up mac: 70:f1:a1:ee:89:d3
           Card-2: Realtek RTL8101/2/6E PCI Express Fast/Gigabit Ethernet controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: 2000 bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: enp3s0 state: down mac: c8:0a:a9:f6:c2:40
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 320.1GB (55.5% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD3200BPVT size: 320.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 97G used: 65G (71%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 2.07GB used: 0.41GB (20%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 79.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 194 Uptime: 8:30 Memory: 968.9/1931.5MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35

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

jefro · 09-14-2017, 09:51 PM

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?

benjaminthomas · 09-14-2017, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro

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

syg00 · 09-14-2017, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminthomas

I'm not gonna lie, the majority of what I just copy-pasted is way over my head.

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 ?.

benjaminthomas · 09-14-2017, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

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.

rtmistler · 09-15-2017, 07:14 AM

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.

urbanwks · 09-15-2017, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminthomas

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

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

benjaminthomas · 09-16-2017, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler

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.

I've scrawled through the Windows Control Panel several times, and every time I go into the Network settings there is no networks detected. I'm familiar with the SSID names of both my home Wi-Fi and the surrounding networks, so I know what's there, but Windows doesn't pick up on any of them. I'll post the results of the command prompt here as soon as it's done - I'm going to do it now, so it'll probably be up in 5-10 minutes.
Thanks for the advice.

benjaminthomas · 09-16-2017, 02:46 AM

Code:

Windows IP Configuration
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Benjamin Thomas>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : User-PC
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : iiNet
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C8-0A-A9-F6-C2-40
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

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

benjaminthomas · 09-18-2017, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanwks

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

Just a follow-up to this - I've tried logging in/restarting, nothing changes. I'd be willing to try a complete system reboot - if I could find the Windows Activation Key for my laptop. Right now I haven't the foggiest where it is, or if I even still have it, so I guess, at least for the moment, a full system reboot is off the table. Unless anybody knows of a way to reboot and wipe Windows 7 without an activation key/C.D?

urbanwks · 09-18-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjaminthomas

Just a follow-up to this - I've tried logging in/restarting, nothing changes. I'd be willing to try a complete system reboot - if I could find the Windows Activation Key for my laptop. Right now I haven't the foggiest where it is, or if I even still have it, so I guess, at least for the moment, a full system reboot is off the table. Unless anybody knows of a way to reboot and wipe Windows 7 without an activation key/C.D?

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?