Discussions

Hi. Ok need some input on how to fix this. First going to a computer tech guy isn't a option due to finances. Buying a new pc/laptop isn't a option either for the same reason.  
I got a refurbished Dell Optiplex 7010 desktop that came with a usb wifi adaptor and full windows 10. I went and installed Ubuntu and normally Ubuntu recognizes wifi stuff. I didnt realize that the company I got the usb wifi from didn't i:nclude the cd for the drivers with the usb adaptor. I've found where I can get the drivers for my pc but they are windows based. I have tried through synaptic package manager to install wifi drivers, but in settings there are no drivers showing as there is no adaptor found at all. So I'm guessing my drivers went poof after I installed Ubuntu as there is no wifi working at all or showing in the network choices at the top by the clock etc. Normally wifi shows you are connected to ethernet and still shows wifi around you. How can I fix this? I don't have a windows disk and the wifi adaptor is supposed to be compatible with Linux.. I looked on amazon and some usb adaptors that claim to work with Linux really dont and I dont know coding, just copy paste in the command line lol. I was reading that if I reinstalled windows 10 the key would be recognized as its in the motherboard or bios or something? Again I've tried to find a disc and no luck. And my dvd drive is not dvdr. Is there anyway to fix this ? I just want the option to use wifi on my pc. I can tether through my old smartphone but don't want to rely on that.  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-08-11 18:36:20

As per title, have you checked communities like those on reddit? There are subs like /r/linux4noobs (not saying that you're a noob! LOL, just that it might be a good place to ask), /r/ubuntu, and /r/linuxquestions that should be able to help.  
 
I mention this because you may have better luck finding the answer that you're looking for in those communities (highly specialized/niche, and free!) as opposed to eBrandon which is very generalized. All that being said, there could very well be a community of Ubuntu users on this website that could answer your question for you.

... and run it for a week or so each year before reinstalling Windows. If it's not Wi-Fi, it's Bluetooth or video drivers or special keyboard settings or tinny sound or, or or ...  
 
That it works at all is a miracle.

Does it work from the live CD? https://askubuntu.com/questions/405052/wifi-works-on-live-cd-but-not-when-i-boot-from-hd  
 
Edited by Pots And Owls, 2020-08-11 20:26:29

First off, does your keyboard have a button for easily shutting off wifi?  
I nearly drove myself nuts for 45 minutes trying to figure out why my dad's Linux mint 19 install wasn't allowing wifi. Until he told me he always turns it off when he's not using it lol.  
 
Having just tested Ubuntu 20 from a live disk, it recognized my wifi hardware without issue. I would recommend re-installing, but making sure the wifi stuff in working in the live version. If that fails, then I recommend Linux Mint over trying to correct Canonical's oversight.  
 
 
I know the pain of trying to fetch wifi drivers. When I first downloaded Debian, I didn't realize that was one of the items that were withheld from the initial setup (likely because you don't need that on a server). It took a couple of days, but I figured it out.

No it doesn't work. I tried a Puppy Linux disc and a Ubuntu Mate disc.

I dont see any key on this keyboard that looks like it would do that....what key specificly was your dad using? lol I had Ubuntu Mate and then did Ubuntu 18 and upgraded to Ubuntu 20 and no wifi in the network drop down menu and says no wifi adapter faund. I'm not good with Debian install good for you that you could do that lol I still keep thinking that when I got rid of windows by installing Linux something happend. Normally Linux doesn't delete wifi drivers and they would show up regardless of live disc or install be it Puppy or Ubuntu. Never used Mint. I've used Lubuntu and Slacko Puppy too.,

button is f12 on my keyboard.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1234118/wifi-adapter-not-found-in-ubuntu-20-04  
 
This link recommends updating drivers in "Software & Update". Make sure to do a reboot after you do this.  
If this doesn't take, I would reinstall Ubuntu from scratch.  
 
And if that doesn't solve it, I would consider trying an alternative distro (my recommendation being Mint, but choose whatever you're comfortable with).  
 
There may well be an answer to be found on Google. But given the number of distro's that will likely work out of the box, I wouldn't waste time troubleshooting.

https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/416180/ubuntu-no-wifi-adapter-found

in software & updates says no protieatay drivers in use/no additional drivers.  
 
When I installed Ubuntu Mate before and then Ubuntu 18 no wifi option. How will reinstalling fix the wifi thing? Sorry just trying to understand this stuff lol  
 
I will look up about Linux Mint, but like to do cd installs.... and thank you for the input and link

use that I think to get into my bios....and all it did was pop up some weird half page thing....no diff in network menu dropdown next to clock etc....

thank you for the link. I bookmarked it and looked through it and the one sudo command line I tried and didnt even show any 802 wifi thing in it. :s I'll keep reading stuff on there

years ago I was introduced me to Linux when ubuntu 10 was out and I loved it lol .and I appreciate everyone's input. Hoping something works lol There's gotta be a solution to this stupid thing lol I'm still a noobie moreless...noobish? lol Hey it's getting you guy's minds off covid lol

// When I installed Ubuntu Mate before and then Ubuntu 18 no wifi option. How will reinstalling fix the wifi thing? //  
 
Troubleshooting. There could have been an error in the original OS installation that redoing the process might correct.

Hi...I'm running ubuntu mate 16 on live disc as I'm typing and there is no wifi showing. I was debating to install this and just partition my drive and get rid of the ubuntu 20 and see if that does anything. I did read to make sure I have checked to install third party stuff during the install as that can i:nclude wifi drivers? I checked under software & updates and additional drivers and it showed: using process microcode firmware for intel cpus from intel microcode (proprietary). I dont know what that is but its showing on the live disc, and never shows in the ubuntu 20.  
I did notice something, I never had wifi issues when I had a laptop whether I used ubuntu or puppy linux. And I got rid of the windows on it. But that died so had to get this Dell Optiplex 7010 refurbished desktop....  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-08-13 00:39:24

What is the make and model? Have you tried searching for it?  
 
E.g.: sandisk 513 usb wifi dongle ubuntu

I would suggest to take the computer back to an earlier date,than check for updates and update computer as required

I know you can do system restore on windows but dont know about it on Ubuntu ...never heard of it on Linux

it says on the back the bar code looked it up and found this model number:BC21551  
But on the packageing there is nothing and when I did a search for drivers for thatmodel nothing showed up.  
Update: made a typo in the search so looking what I did find...unless Im missing it drivers only showing for installing on windows.  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-08-13 17:21:35

of the back of the package.... there was a cd that was to come with it but they didnt send it in the usb pkg.

Don't worry about the CD, it probably wouldn't help anyway.  
 
The first thing I would try is hooking the computer up to a temporary wired connection if possible, and then running "Additional Drivers". You may find that the correct driver is available online and will be updated. If that doesn't work, get another USB WiFi dongle that comes from somewhere with a reasonable return policy in case it doesn't work.  
 
Either way, this should be somewhat easily fixable. Linux works very well, I use Ubuntu Budgie 20.04 as my main OS, booting into Windows less than 30% of the time.  
 
 
***edit***  
 
In my screenshot, I'm using proprietary Nvidia drivers for my graphics card. The same dialog should search for any proprietary wifi drivers also. No guarantee, but the first thing to try.  
 
Edited by RantsFromWinnipeg, 2020-08-13 18:39:05

The pic shows my results. And not sure if you can find wifi adapters that would work here in Brandon that dont cost alot. I looked on amazon but reading through comments on some that are supposed to work on Linux alot said it didn't, but guess it's hit n miss. And I dont want to pay more than $20 for one if possible (financial reasons again).... I'm hoping to find a solution before I have to do a reinstall, and as the one poster mentioned that might fix things that were missed in first install. I have a old dlink dongle from years ago but again drivers are windows based.

What's your output when running lsusb -v in the terminal?  
 
There are drivers in the linux kernel, so you could try your old USB dongle too

Older dongles will probably have a better chance of working, as there's been more time for the community to get them up and running.

Just to be sure, were you connected to a wired connection when you ran that? It needs an internet connection to pull any new ones in.

I ran the lsusb -v and have no idea what i'm looking for lol I just tried plugging in the dongle thing and holy moly...my wifi works!!!!!!!!! Ren n Stimpy dance lol Or Perfect Strangers dance of joy lol how the heck did that work! My little usb doesn't work but this old one did? its not much of a signal though but its working and got hot really fast lol i get 1-2 bars..mostly 1 bar and sometimes disconnects then reconnects...but its working thats the main thing :o  
So if I was to do a reinstall and then use the dongle would that work better? Or just keep ubuntu 20...and thank you for that idea, I just assumed the old one wouldn't work as its based on windows and the other usb mini adapter doesn't work....  
 
Edited by cheeseburgermonster, 2020-08-13 20:07:35

ethernet

You could just try running lsusb for less output. Put the output into https://paste.ee/ to share. The idea is to get the actual vendor and product if of the actual wireless ship so that it can be checked if there is a driver available for linux or not.

also, run lsusb with just the new dongle plugged in, not the old one, to avoid confusion.