Linux Mint 17 Won't Accept Wifi Password

Fabio · 20-01-2015 4:00pm #1

Hi all,

Just in the process of doing a clean install of Linux Mint 17 onto my old Dell XPS M1330. This had/has Windows 7 on it right now and I would like to have it as a dual-boot machine.

Using a live version of Mint 17 on USB stick has brought up a WIFI connectivity issue though which has stalled my little project!

Mint keeps asking me for the wifi password. I enter it correctly, it tries to connect, then tells to it's wrong and to enter the password again. The password is 100% correct, no problem with it at all. I tried a version of Xubuntu as well so it must be a Ubuntu based issue I suppose.

Anyone with any suggestions?

Stuxnet · 20-01-2015 10:24pm

Could try force it via the cli.

Another option, as it is a new install, if you can get a temporary wired connection, either via ethernet or tether off your phone, and run the update manager and or download wifi driver if needed, ...maybe its a bug !!

http://xmodulo.com/manage-wifi-connection-command-line.html

Fabio · 21-01-2015 12:04am

I was just running it as a live USB so I suppose I should just go ahead and install and then use the ethernet wired connection to download updates and see how that goes...

biketard · 21-01-2015 2:51am

Which flavour of Mint are you using? I found that for some reason Mate worked a lot better with my Wi-Fi dongle than Cinnamon did. Mind you, that was one or two versions ago.

L.Jenkins · 21-01-2015 10:47am

Try another live distro such as Debian just to see if there are any issues with Wifi connectivity. Are you using Mint 17 or 17.1? And how old is the machine? Which I don't think matters, but I thought I would ask.

bonzodog2 · 21-01-2015 12:51pm

I wonder if its an issue due to you booting from a read-only medium? And not being able to store the password?

I don't use Mint, but I run BackTrack from a USB key, and I use something like this from the command line

ifconfig wlan0 down
ifconfig wlan0 up
iwconfig wlan0 essid "MyWifiSSIDHERE"
wpa_passphrase MyWifiSSIDHERE MYPassPhrase > /tmp/wpa_supplicant.conf
wpa_supplicant -iwlan0 -c/tmp/wpa_supplicant.conf

you might need to change the interface name and/or paths
you prob need quotes if SSID or passphrase have embedded spaces, in

wpa_passphrase MyWifiSSIDHERE MYPassPhrase > /tmp/wpa_supplicant.conf

Fabio · 22-01-2015 4:02pm

I tried both Mint 17 and 17.1. I also tried Xubuntu to see if that'd work but same results.

It's a Dell XPS M1330 from around 2007, probably has a dreaded Broadcom card in it.

biketard · 23-01-2015 2:25am

If you do a full install and still can't get it to work, would you consider just sticking one of these in it?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71P8Pfd7npL._SX425_.jpg

They're dirt cheap and pretty Linux-friendly.

Johnboy1951 · 23-01-2015 12:27pm

Fabio wrote: »

I tried both Mint 17 and 17.1. I also tried Xubuntu to see if that'd work but same results.

It's a Dell XPS M1330 from around 2007, probably has a dreaded Broadcom card in it.

PCLinuxOS distro apparently dealt with this by having both a current and a legacy package for Broadcom in the repository.

Anything like that available in Mint?

PrzemoF · 23-01-2015 1:11pm

OP, check the logs to see what's wrong. Ask for help if you don't know how.

I'd start with "iwconfig", "ifconfig", "dmesg" and "journalctl -b"

Capt'n Midnight · 24-01-2015 12:19pm

For any OS, do the install while hooked up to a network cable and let updates do their thing. Then if there is a problem you can start troubleshooting.

If you have an android phone you can set it up as a wifi hotspot for testing to see what security options work.

Dozen Wicked Words · 10-02-2015 1:39pm

I have an issue, slightly off topic but broadly similar subject.

I have installed Mint 17.1 on my acer aspire 5551 laptop, first toe in the water for Linux, have not gone near terminal yet, love it so far, though its not that big a leap appearance wise from windows.

Only issue I have come accross so far, and its a bit annoying.

Mint doesn't find my router, finds my phone when I use it as a hotspot, no issue wired. I have found a workaround which seems to work but seems very odd.

It sees my PS3 as a network, I try unsuccessfully to log on to it, as would be expected, it gets stuck on the password login (again, no surprise as my PS3 isnt a router), but when I click cancel from that login, my router appears on the list of networks and I can log in no problem. Anyone have any ideas why this happens, just seems very weird!

Oh, and all updates installed.

PrzemoF · 10-02-2015 2:09pm

Welcome to the "scary" world of linux! :-)

You should only have to log into the wifi network (your router) once. Do you have to do it after a reboot as well?

I'd suggest to get faimilar with the command line (how to open a terminal, what means "sudo") - that's very handy to diagnose problems "remotely" without having to explain things like "right click that icon that looks like a antenna"
Don't try to remember it - use it as a cheat sheet: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal

Dozen Wicked Words · 10-02-2015 2:25pm

PrzemoF wrote: »

Welcome to the "scary" world of linux! :-)

You should only have to log into the wifi network (your router) once. Do you have to do it after a reboot as well?

I'd suggest to get faimilar with the command line (how to open a terminal, what means "sudo") - that's very handy to diagnose problems "remotely" without having to explain things like "right click that icon that looks like a antenna"
Don't try to remember it - use it as a cheat sheet: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal

Youre right about getting to grips with the basics of what linux is all about and the command line, it's on the to-do list. My level of expertise on computers is minimal, but love having a tinker and its not the be all and end all if I fupp up.

I continually have to do the whole PS3 thing, it never recognises my router, or connects automatically(only works if PS3 is turned off, if its turned on, it doesnt appear in my connections list). Tried using the driver manager, that told me my broadcom deelie wasn't working, it had one driver, which I tried and made it worse (even my PS3 disappeared off the list).

I'll definitely start tinkering with the terminal, part of the reason I changed was I had intention of messing with linux on an old pc (which I never got) and was just fed up with how slow my laptop had become on windows, even after a complete factory reset so I thought I'd try it on my laptop instead. Rather than messing about (doing the sensible thing) and dual booting with windows I just went for the complete install!

I'll get there eventually, and enjoy the process.

L.Jenkins · 10-02-2015 2:50pm

You'd be looking for a Ubuntu solution for the issue, so check out the Ubuntu and Mint Community forums to see if anyone else is having a similar problem. I would agree with jacking in a network cable and running a few updates first.

PrzemoF · 10-02-2015 3:04pm

@Dozen Wicked Words: can you connect to the router over a cable for a while? It will make diagnosing wifi problem a bit easier (copy & paste)

1. open terminal (I don't know how to do it in mint, but that's just a program called "Terminal"
2. type "lsusb", hit Enter and post the results here
3. type "lspci", hit Enter and post the results here

I want to find out what broadcom wifi do you have. Example results from my virtual box machine:

[przemo@localhost ~]$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 80ee:0021 VirtualBox USB Tablet
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
[przemo@localhost ~]$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 440FX - 82441FX PMC [Natoma] (rev 02)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82371SB PIIX3 ISA [Natoma/Triton II]
00:01.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE (rev 01)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH VirtualBox Graphics Adapter
00:03.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82540EM Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 02)
00:04.0 System peripheral: InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH VirtualBox Guest Service
00:05.0 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801AA AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:06.0 USB controller: Apple Inc. KeyLargo/Intrepid USB
00:07.0 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI (rev 08)
00:0d.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801HM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 02)
[przemo@localhost ~]$

P.S. If you feel adventurous try this guide: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/bcm43xx

Dozen Wicked Words · 10-02-2015 3:23pm

PrzemoF wrote: »
@Dozen Wicked Words: can you connect to the router over a cable for a while? It will make diagnosing wifi problem a bit easier (copy & paste)

1. open terminal (I don't know how to do it in mint, but that's just a program called "Terminal"
2. type "lsusb", hit Enter and post the results here
3. type "lspci", hit Enter and post the results here

I want to find out what broadcom wifi do you have. Example results from my virtual box machine:
[przemo@localhost ~]$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 80ee:0021 VirtualBox USB Tablet
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
[przemo@localhost ~]$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 440FX - 82441FX PMC [Natoma] (rev 02)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82371SB PIIX3 ISA [Natoma/Triton II]
00:01.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE (rev 01)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH VirtualBox Graphics Adapter
00:03.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82540EM Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 02)
00:04.0 System peripheral: InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH VirtualBox Guest Service
00:05.0 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801AA AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:06.0 USB controller: Apple Inc. KeyLargo/Intrepid USB
00:07.0 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI (rev 08)
00:0d.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801HM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 02)
[przemo@localhost ~]$

I'll be able to give that a go tomorrow, have to get sorted for work shortly, thanks, and theres no hurry at all in having a look at results once I've posted them. I'm not in any hurry.

Itzy wrote: »

You'd be looking for a Ubuntu solution for the issue, so check out the Ubuntu and Mint Community forums to see if anyone else is having a similar problem. I would agree with jacking in a network cable and running a few updates first.

Yeah, had a brief browse, no luck so far. It's not a pressing issue as I said to PrzemoF, as I have my bodge workaround, and also a PC with windows (if I can get my kids off Minecraft long enough to have a look). (Did all the updates, have a shield with a tick to prove it!)

Appreciate all the replies I've had since I only posted this on here a short while ago.

Dozen Wicked Words · 11-02-2015 11:17am

Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0402:9665 ALi Corp. Gateway Webcam
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

00:00.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS880 Host Bridge
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780/RS880 PCI to PCI bridge (int gfx)
00:04.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780/RS880 PCI to PCI bridge (PCIE port 0)
00:05.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] RS780/RS880 PCI to PCI bridge (PCIE port 1)
00:11.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 SATA Controller [AHCI mode]
00:12.0 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI0 Controller
00:12.2 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB EHCI Controller
00:13.0 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI0 Controller
00:13.2 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB EHCI Controller
00:14.0 SMBus: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 SMBus Controller (rev 41)
00:14.1 IDE interface: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 IDE Controller (rev 40)
00:14.2 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA) (rev 40)
00:14.3 ISA bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 LPC host controller (rev 40)
00:14.4 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SBx00 PCI to PCI Bridge (rev 40)
00:14.5 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 USB OHCI2 Controller
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 10h Processor HyperTransport Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 10h Processor Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 10h Processor DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 10h Processor Miscellaneous Control
00:18.4 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Family 10h Processor Link Control
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] RS880M [Mobility Radeon HD 4225/4250]
01:05.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] RS880 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4200 Series]
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM57780 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe (rev 01)
08:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM43225 802.11b/g/n (rev 01)

PrzemoF, as requested the above are lsusb and lspci

I connected over wifi again using the usual method, try to connect to my PS3 in standby, cancel, and once I have done that, my network list shows up my router, which I connect to, happy days. It's a quirk I could live with if I have to. Enjoying the nippyness of Mint so far (would it be fair to call it Linux lite?)

PrzemoF · 11-02-2015 11:57am

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

[..]
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM57780 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe (rev 01)
08:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM43225 802.11b/g/n (rev 01)

PrzemoF, as requested the above are lsusb and lspci

I connected over wifi again using the usual method, try to connect to my PS3 in standby, cancel, and once I have done that, my network list shows up my router, which I connect to, happy days. It's a quirk I could live with if I have to. Enjoying the nippyness of Mint so far (would it be fair to call it Linux lite?)

So your wifi chip is Bradcom BCM43225. There are a few modules (drivers) that support it (broadcom is a mess), so I need some more info:

1. open terminal
2. lsmod | grep "b42\|ssb\|wl"
3. post the results

lsmod lists currently loaded modules
| (pipe) passes output of lsmod to grep
grep searches for b42 or ssb or wl

I want to find out what you're using right now.

Dozen Wicked Words · 11-02-2015 12:19pm

PrzemoF wrote: »

So your wifi chip is Bradcom BCM43225. There are a few modules (drivers) that support it (broadcom is a mess), so I need some more info:

1. open terminal
2. lsmod | grep "b42\|ssb\|wl"
3. post the results

lsmod lists currently loaded modules
| (pipe) passes output of lsmod to grep
grep searches for b42 or ssb or wl

I want to find out what you're using right now.

62379 1 b43

PrzemoF · 11-02-2015 12:24pm

Let's try manually first (you should lose you wifi after that):

sudo modprobe -r b43

and get it back after this:

sudo modprobe wl

if that doesn't work you'll have to do some more work (see method 1): http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/218

Dozen Wicked Words · 11-02-2015 12:45pm

PrzemoF wrote: »

Let's try manually first (you should lose you wifi after that):

sudo modprobe -r b43

and get it back after this:

sudo modprobe wl

if that doesn't work you'll have to do some more work (see method 1): http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/218

So after entering first thing I get asked for password, entered that, with no confirmation (think this is normal?) enter second command and get

modprobe: FATAL: Module wl not found

I will have a go with the tutorial, might just carry on with the imperfect way I do it now though! Thanks for your help anyway.

PrzemoF · 11-02-2015 1:02pm

Yes, lack of confirmation is normal in linux/unix world. It's called the Rule of Silence [1]
The error message "modprobe: FATAL: Module wl not found" means that modprobe cannot find & load wl module, so we have to install it. Give that tutorail a go. It's fairly complicated for a newbie to be honest, but for now I don't have any better idea. If you're stuck or confused - ask.

[1] Rule of Silence - Developers should design programs so that they do not print unnecessary output. This rule aims to allow other programs and developers to pick out the information they need from a program's output without having to parse verbosity. More here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_philosophy

human 19 · 14-02-2015 1:55am

@ OP Fabio., if you are still around. The fact that it is asking you for a password means that the network connection is recognised.

You may disagree with me as you say you are 100% sure that your password is correct but in my experience over the years...if it is asking for a pasword, and not accepting it ...then the entered password is incorrect. Check for capitals, spaces, etc

Capt'n Midnight · 14-02-2015 11:31am

human 19 wrote: »

You may disagree with me as you say you are 100% sure that your password is correct but in my experience over the years...if it is asking for a pasword, and not accepting it ...then the entered password is incorrect. Check for capitals, spaces, etc

*nostalgia*
back when you had to enter WEP passwords in hex because of incompatibilities

if all else fails remove non-alphanumerics from your password, but make it longer to compensate

like I said try an android phone in tethering mode or other access point to see what you can actually connect with and see which options break it

stupid stuff, if b/g/n and channel 12 or 13 then try a lower channel no

BopNiblets · 14-02-2015 11:16pm

Fabio may be gone, but just throwing this out here: type the password into Gedit to make sure it's right, you may have set it up with US language or something...
I know some languages switch the @ and " on me sometimes

Dozen Wicked Words · 24-02-2015 10:32am

Just an update on my problem. Its resolved itself, without me doing anything. I hadn't used my laptop for a while, turned it on this morning and it has automatically found my router and connected, I didn't do anything and it hasn't been online to update so who knows! Thanks for all the suggestions anyway.

human 19 · 07-03-2015 9:41pm

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Just an update on my problem. Its resolved itself, without me doing anything. I hadn't used my laptop for a while, turned it on this morning and it has automatically found my router and connected, I didn't do anything and it hasn't been online to update so who knows! Thanks for all the suggestions anyway.

I was wondering , reading the above, if the PS3 was masking your router. Was the PS3 blocking or masking the router signal. Would it be something to do with frequencies? I know sod all about networking but when the router is recognised after the ps3 is cancelled....??

As you didnt update anything on the computer..was firmware updated on one of the devices?

Dozen Wicked Words · 07-03-2015 9:47pm

human 19 wrote: »

I was wondering , reading the above, if the PS3 was masking your router. Was the PS3 blocking or masking the router signal. Would it be something to do with frequencies? I know sod all about networking but when the router is recognised after the ps3 is cancelled....??

As you didnt update anything on the computer..was firmware updated on one of the devices?

PS 3 got an update recently I think. Not convinced it didn't happen after the miracle of automatic Wifi login occurred though.

Sagitt · 08-03-2015 9:52pm

Guys,

I was experiencing similar problem in my home wifi, compaq laptop running on XP one day decided not to logon automatically to wifi network anymore. I had to re-create connection every time and it was fine for a session. My android phones were loging on without any problems, so I blamed my laptop. Until I tried to connect another device (NOOK eReader). Then I realised it was vodafone router to be blamed for this erratic behaviour. After rebooting router all problems were gone, immediately. That thing (router) was working fine with androids but was giving hassle to regular machines.

Couple days ago was installing Mint 17.1 on my old dell xps400 (similar scenario to Fabio) and as well problems with wifi. And again, I blamed dell machine (actualy TP-Link Nano USB wireless modem), as on the same time I had compaq laptop connecting to wifi without any problems. Linux didn't want to accept password, but as human 19 pointed out network was recognised. Then I had eureka moment to re-boot router, and all problems were gone.

Hope that makes sence,
Sagitt

cerastes · 17-03-2015 12:19pm

Ok, there are a couple of spare laptops in the house which I wanted to setup for general browsing so they were getting some use.
My main laptop is win7, but Im interested to try learn what I can do with a Unix like operating system.
I put ubuntu as the sole OS on the other laptop, had issues with the printer not connecting before and eneded up not using it, a few days ago I started looking at it again and this time it was wireless not working, got it working (dont know how) by searching online for commands to update and detect the driver for the wifi card. The thing is I dont really like the ubuntu layout (ID changed it before using an xdfe? version but it was also a bit fiddly.

Ive want to try Mint, for a start on the remaining spare laptop (netbook).
I tried to download whats called the iso, failed from a mirror site in Ireland, went to UK one and seemed to work, now its great there is a pdf of instructions, but some things are still considered a given.

For a start, I couldnt confirm the iso by checking the db5 file (I only did this last night, so I cant recal exactly what uts called).

Sometimes command line inputs/instructions seem to show a few lines and I dont know if I can input this as a continuous line and then hit enter?
or if I have to put it as it is shown, I searched and found that putting ";" a semi colon at the end of a linbe is like a line break and you can hit enter to start typing the next line? is that so? it still didnt seem to work.

I put the file on a USB and on a disc (for use with an external optical drive) to try change the OS to Mint on the netbook but neither started the process. I didnt have this issue with ubuntu.
I found the instructions said burn the file to the disc and not just write, I actually didnt think there was a difference, and againa a problem with that is that there is no option to burn the iso (file?) to the disc.

Where am I going wrong?

Im trying this with the latest version of Mint, I might try again with Mate (at least for the netbook anyway and maybe a dual boot with the ubuntu machine as its up and running, I dont want to make more work for myself until I sort the netbook.

biketard · 18-03-2015 2:22am

What software are you using to burn the iso to a disk? There's usually an option to burn a "disk image" or similar.

PrzemoF · 19-03-2015 6:52pm

Typing command lines in linux can be tricky if you don't know what's happening.

; is treated an end of command character, so it's OK _between_ commands, but it's not OK in the example below:

[przemo@localhost ~]$ echo "Hello World" ; "Hello Mars"
Hello World
bash: Hello Mars: command not found...

but it's OK to use it like a separator between commands:

[przemo@localhost ~]$ echo "Hello World" ; echo "Hello Mars" 
Hello World
Hello Mars

There are a few more like &, |, ~, >>, >, &&, but I don't want to confuse you. In general try to understand exactly what the command you're typing/copying does. Ask if in doubt.

L.Jenkins · 20-03-2015 9:15am

Out of curiosity Fabio, did you get the issue resolved as I haven't been following this thread much?

Fabio · 20-03-2015 1:08pm

Sorry lads, very rude of me not to actually come back and fill ye in. In the end I gave a full install a go with it plugged into the modem using the ethernet cable. I put Mint 17.1 XFCE on the Dell M1330 and it works brilliantly. No wifi issues and it's a whole lot faster at pretty much everything. The experience is smoother and better than it was with Windows 7 on it.

It boots up from cold to a working desktop in about 55 seconds and it shuts down in 10 seconds. For a 7 year old laptop that's pretty good in my book.

L.Jenkins · 20-03-2015 2:32pm

Fabio wrote: »

It boots up from cold to a working desktop in about 55 seconds and it shuts down in 10 seconds. For a 7 year old laptop that's pretty good in my book.

Am thinking of investing in an older laptop to run the same in the near future. It's good to hear the Mint 17.1 runs without any hassle.

cerastes · 22-03-2015 3:22pm

biketard wrote: »

What software are you using to burn the iso to a disk? There's usually an option to burn a "disk image" or similar.

I was using what seems to come as standard with Ubuntu, can't recall the name of it, I'll have to open that laptop.
I haven't gotten back to it as I'd a few other things to do. I think i m going to have to put it to the side until I can give it my full attention. It would be handy to have that netbook up and running again as it now has Ubuntu and XP on it, where I think mint might be better, I'm still not sure what version so I just went for the latest version of cinnamon, but maybe it needs a light version of one of any of the u is like OS. Anyone any recommendations of an OS for a netbook?

Itzy wrote: »

Am thinking of investing in an older laptop to run the same in the near future. It's good to hear the Mint 17.1 runs without any hassle.

I wish

L.Jenkins · 22-03-2015 4:25pm

In some cases, it can be tricky to get a machine up and running with any Linux Distribution. You may have incompatible hardware, which can be a nightmare to get drivers for, so you may have to seek drivers for it or alternative hardware. I'm not that naive in thinking it's free from problems, but it can be easy if you know what you need to do or where to go.

biketard · 23-03-2015 3:24am

cerastes wrote: »

I was using what seems to come as standard with Ubuntu, can't recall the name of it, I'll have to open that laptop.

Hey cerastes, I usually use a different disk burner, but I see that my Mint (Mate) came with Brasero. Could that be the one you're using? If so, you need to make sure to click the last option on the left, which is ""Burn image", then browse to your iso file.

I can see your confusion, btw. The issue is this: an iso file is not just a bunch of files and folders, but rather a single archive file that is an exact copy of what is written on a disk and where it's written. It has to be burned back onto the new blank disk in a specific way so that the data ends up in the same places, etc. Just dumping that single file randomly on a new disk doesn't cut it, as the computer doesn't know how to read it at boot up. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, but basically, you just need to make sure you burn it onto the new blank disk as an "image" and you'll be fine.

cerastes · 23-03-2015 10:04pm

biketard wrote: »

Hey cerastes, I usually use a different disk burner, but I see that my Mint (Mate) came with Brasero. Could that be the one you're using? If so, you need to make sure to click the last option on the left, which is ""Burn image", then browse to your iso file.

I can see your confusion, btw. The issue is this: an iso file is not just a bunch of files and folders, but rather a single archive file that is an exact copy of what is written on a disk and where it's written. It has to be burned back onto the new blank disk in a specific way so that the data ends up in the same places, etc. Just dumping that single file randomly on a new disk doesn't cut it, as the computer doesn't know how to read it at boot up. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, but basically, you just need to make sure you burn it onto the new blank disk as an "image" and you'll be fine.

That's the one, brasero, its on the laptop with ubuntu, I actually haven't had much problems with Ubuntu, but couldn't get it printing wirelessly so stopped using it, when I started using it again recently it wouldnt connect wirelessly to the internet but i was able to search for scripts and connected it directly to the router to get it sorted. I had wanted to try mint on the netbook, with the view to putting it on the laptop with ubuntu, but wanted to iron out any problems before I did anything with the laptop with ubuntu as its at least useable to browse online with.

Thanks for the advice, not an IT person but it does make sense, ill look at the options to burn it, was sure brasero only gave me a limited option what to do. I'll need to look at it in more detail when i can get a chance to give it my undivided attention, plus have to get some blank discs, although the mint PDF instruction said its possible to do with a memory stick but not as straight forward.cheers.

biketard · 24-03-2015 2:25am

Hey cerastes, if you already have Ubuntu on there, then sticking Mint on a USB stick is easy.

Here's what you have to do:
1. Download Mint (I like the Mate version myself, and found that it gave me zero wifi problems [I have it on a netbook, a big laptop, and a PC, and it works great on all of them])
2. Follow this: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

You'll need to make sure your BIOS is set up to be able to boot from USB. Do you know how to do that? (If the answer is no, then let me know which make/model of netbook you have and I'll tell you how to do it.)

BTW, one of the things I like about Mint is that everything is pretty much there by default. No messing about downloading other stuff just to get things up and running. Also, you shouldn't really have to do much, if any, command line stuff in Mint. Pretty much everything can be done using the mouse.

cerastes · 25-03-2015 8:10am

biketard wrote: »

Hey cerastes, if you already have Ubuntu on there, then sticking Mint on a USB stick is easy.

Here's what you have to do:
1. Download Mint (I like the Mate version myself, and found that it gave me zero wifi problems [I have it on a netbook, a big laptop, and a PC, and it works great on all of them])
2. Follow this: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

You'll need to make sure your BIOS is set up to be able to boot from USB. Do you know how to do that? (If the answer is no, then let me know which make/model of netbook you have and I'll tell you how to do it.)

BTW, one of the things I like about Mint is that everything is pretty much there by default. No messing about downloading other stuff just to get things up and running. Also, you shouldn't really have to do much, if any, command line stuff in Mint. Pretty much everything can be done using the mouse.

Thanks, I can get into the BIOS setup and have changed options in there before, have the passwords I created also, i don't believe I've seen an option to boot from USB though? Maybe I just wasn't looking at it in the boot order section, its a Samsung NP N110, just want to make it useable as it's my partners old laptop (netbook) and while its still physically functional it had XP originally and was getting slow so I backed everything up to an external drive, but what with XP not being supported and win 7 not being available to purchase, not thinking its able for win 8 or that it was suitable, I started looking for alternatives. Tried Ubuntu on it which it has as dual boot with the original XP now, but think mint might be better both for herself and as this is a netbook, any pointers to setting it up would be great, didn't have any real problems setting up ubuntu, and think mate might be lighter version too?

biketard · 25-03-2015 8:33am

Ahh, right, your particular model appears to have USB booting disabled by default. You need to go into the BIOS, then "Advanced", then disable "Fast BIOS mode".

This guy explains it very nicely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvHu0BTSf4

Seriously, even though there are lighter options (Xfce, for example, but I don't like losing some of the menu options of Gnome), Mate runs really smoothly on my very old Acer Aspire One, and in my case anyway, EVERYTHING worked great without having to tweak anything further. I'd be surprised if you don't have a similar experience on your partner's Samsung. Worth a try at least, given that it's free.

cerastes · 10-06-2015 1:22am

biketard wrote: »

Hey cerastes, if you already have Ubuntu on there, then sticking Mint on a USB stick is easy.

Here's what you have to do:
1. Download Mint (I like the Mate version myself, and found that it gave me zero wifi problems [I have it on a netbook, a big laptop, and a PC, and it works great on all of them])
2. Follow this: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu

You'll need to make sure your BIOS is set up to be able to boot from USB. Do you know how to do that? (If the answer is no, then let me know which make/model of netbook you have and I'll tell you how to do it.)

BTW, one of the things I like about Mint is that everything is pretty much there by default. No messing about downloading other stuff just to get things up and running. Also, you shouldn't really have to do much, if any, command line stuff in Mint. Pretty much everything can be done using the mouse.

Ok its been a while but Im going to try get this sorted now as its come to the top of the pile

Recently I had some issues with my main laptop, a Win & machine but got it sorted in the end. Now I am going to try get MINT Mate up and running on the netnook as mentioned before to try make it useable again.
I might come along looking for help.

edit, I got into the BIOS but couldnt see the option to disable the fast bios mode in advanced, nor was I able to access the boot menu by the methods described on the youtube clip.
I tried pressing F10 and F12 and neither seemed to do anything but there is a boot menu in the BIOS,
disabling Fast BIOS is still not an accessible option but the boot menu shows, boot device priority and a few options with the current #1 option as USB CD and IDE HDD as #2, Id have thought the HDD was SATA, it is a SSD for sure.
There are other USB options lower down in the boot priority order.

So it looks like USB is the #1 priority device to boot from?

biketard · 10-06-2015 2:18am

I don't think USB CD counts, though by all means try it. Could you possibly take a picture of the BIOS screen(s) you're seeing?

cerastes · 10-06-2015 2:40am

biketard wrote: »

I don't think USB CD counts, though by all means try it. Could you possibly take a picture of the BIOS screen(s) you're seeing?

Sure, will do,
I tried pressing F10 or F12, but that doesnt open any boot menu
and just leads to the notebook showing a list of available OS, which include the original XP and Ubuntu.
F2 opens the BIOS menu and fast boot of the BIOS isnt featured, although I havent had luck enabling its presence.

DSCF1004.JPG

croo · 10-06-2015 5:47am

If you plug the usb in before booting & pressing F2 - you might see a little more info in the boot - just as the Samsung HM160HI ide device is listed beside its option. Then at least you know you are moving the correct USB option to the #1 position.

cerastes · 11-06-2015 12:34am

croo wrote: »

If you plug the usb in before booting & pressing F2 - you might see a little more info in the boot - just as the Samsung HM160HI ide device is listed beside its option. Then at least you know you are moving the correct USB option to the #1 position.

This does seem to make a difference to whats seen in the boot order
DSCF1006.JPG
I had to move it up from 6th place to 1st, and the netbook does try to load the OS from there, but cant locate it (not there, but it does seem to go to the drive first now). While this is the USB drive that has the cinnamon ISO on it, there are a couple of other things too and there isn't anything about recognizing anything to choose from.

I'll review the ubuntu link above a few posts and look for the ISO for MATE and take it from there.
Cheers.

biketard · 11-06-2015 2:30am

cerastes wrote: »

This does seem to make a difference to whats seen in the boot order
DSCF1006.JPG
I had to move it up from 6th place to 1st, and the netbook does try to load the OS from there, but cant locate it (not there, but it does seem to go to the drive first now). While this is the USB drive that has the cinnamon ISO on it, there are a couple of other things too and there isn't anything about recognizing anything to choose from.

I'll review the ubuntu link above a few posts and look for the ISO for MATE and take it from there.
Cheers.

OK, sounds like you're getting somewhere. Did you just put the iso straight on the USB key? If so, that won't work. You need to put it on there as per my instructions in post #41.

BTW, are you using some sort of USB hub or something? The BIOS screen makes it look like you're using an SD card plugged into a card reader or something. Still, whatever works. Don't be changing any of that just now.

Linux Mint 17 Won't Accept Wifi Password

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