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Getting USB wifi to work on Ubuntu

Hi,

I just installed Ubuntu on my HTPC - all very exciting.

I have a network cable plugged in right now but need to setup the wireless. Previously (when using Windows 7) I had used a Sweex wifi USB to connect to the net. Since installing Ubuntu, no wifi networks are available so Ubuntu clearly cannot see it.

If I run lsusb in the terminal I can one of the line says:
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 177f:0153 Sweex

Any ideas?

yarwell

Your particular device or its chipset aren't matching up with drivers in the kernel or in Ubuntu. It looks like you need to disable some drivers in order to allow the right one to work, see :-

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/wireless-internet/161550-rt3070sta-module-license-unspecified-taints-kernel-solved-3.html

etc

So downloading the driver package from Ralink or Sweex and looking att he above should get you there.

ifconfig or wlconfig from command line will confirm if it's seen as an interface device.

JohnnyNZ

ASKER

Thanks Yarwell.

I cant figure out to disable drivers (I just have an option for "additional drivers") and the Sweex site doesnt have any drivers available for download.

John

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yarwell

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JohnnyCanuck

I've had success in the past with using ndiswrapper. You'll need XP drivers for your wireless. Here are instructions for setting up a network card in Ubuntu using ndiswrapper.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper