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Can't Connect USB Wifi Adapter to Linux

Tags:
  • USB
  • WiFi
  • Connection
  • Windows 8
  • Linux
  • Dual
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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August 4, 2014 12:02:04 PM

Before I say anything else, I'm very new to Linux and stuff like dual-booting. I successfully (I believe) dual-booted Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu 14.04. I'm guessing it's a compatibility issue, but I have a Cisco AM10 USB Wifi Adapter and the first time I plugged it in, it showed up in the Devices, I tried to use the executable file to install it, but it did not work. I replugged it in, then it didn't show that it was actually there. I tried doing some terminal commands but those didn't work. I'd really like to have internet in Ubuntu so I can really use it. I've looked very many places for answers and haven't found any. Please respond quickly.

More about : connect usb wifi adapter linux

August 4, 2014 12:26:06 PM

Trying to remember my Unbutu off hand so I may be wrong ....

But if I remember correctly there should be a setting - maybe upper right portion of screen - looks like a pie piece. Right click, open drop down, and the settings should be there. You can also find a video on YouTube. Just Google wifi and Unbutu.
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a b 5 Linux
August 4, 2014 12:51:49 PM

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Cisco_Valet_AM10
This card should be supported out of the box on Ubuntu 14.04 without any additional drivers or firmware.

check "sudo iwconfig" and see if the wireless device exists.
unplug/plug in and check "dmesg | tail" and should give kernel info on the device being plugged.
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August 4, 2014 1:11:15 PM

skittle said:
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Cisco_Valet_AM10
This card should be supported out of the box on Ubuntu 14.04 without any additional drivers or firmware.

check "sudo iwconfig" and see if the wireless device exists.
unplug/plug in and check "dmesg | tail" and should give kernel info on the device being plugged.


Once after I restarted, it recognized the USB adapter, so I tried using setup.exe with Run Software, but to no avail (This was before your comment). (This is after) I restarted once more, and it didn't recognize it anymore. So I try both commands and the first doesn't find anything, and the second doesn't even do anything. It's just blank after it.
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a b 5 Linux
August 4, 2014 3:38:46 PM

whyme101 said:
skittle said:
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Cisco_Valet_AM10
This card should be supported out of the box on Ubuntu 14.04 without any additional drivers or firmware.

check "sudo iwconfig" and see if the wireless device exists.
unplug/plug in and check "dmesg | tail" and should give kernel info on the device being plugged.


Once after I restarted, it recognized the USB adapter, so I tried using setup.exe with Run Software, but to no avail (This was before your comment). (This is after) I restarted once more, and it didn't recognize it anymore. So I try both commands and the first doesn't find anything, and the second doesn't even do anything. It's just blank after it.


Type the commands without quotes. dmesg will definitely work.... | is the pipe 'key' to program tail which outputs the last lies from dmesg

BTW .exe are windows files of course it will not do anything if you try to run it on Linux!
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August 4, 2014 4:15:59 PM

Ok, for sudo iwconfig:
eth0 no wireless extensions.

lo no wireless extensions.

For dmesg | tail:
[ 315.877486] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Write Protect is off
[ 315.877490] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Mode Sense: 00 00 00 00
[ 315.878358] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Asking for cache data failed
[ 315.878362] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 315.884493] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Asking for cache data failed
[ 315.884498] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 316.012162] sdc: sdc1
[ 316.016609] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Asking for data cache failed
[ 316.016616] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 316.016622] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdc] Attached SCSI removable disk

I'm guessing the SCSI removable disk is the adapter? And is there a better way of copying the code other than taking a picture and typing it out?
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a b 5 Linux
August 4, 2014 4:37:06 PM

No SCSI is a hard disk under the label /dev/sdc perhaps the device also has a USB flash drive built in..

Have you run dmesg *after* unplug/replug USB device? There should be a new entry saying something like "new USB device found".

Indeed iwconfig does not show a wireless device successfully configured. Can you post output of " sudo lspci " and "sudo lsusb" ? After it is plugged in of course

Post full dmesg to pastebin.com please so we can look
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August 4, 2014 6:47:16 PM

How would I do that with no internet?
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a b 5 Linux
August 4, 2014 8:07:19 PM

"dmesg > ~/dmesg.txt" will dump the output to a file called dmesg.txt copy it to a USB drive, and post via some other PC.

Generally you can " command > anything. Anything" the > is useful!

If not able to look for your self, see if there is a meaningful looking message about a WiFi device.
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August 4, 2014 8:53:43 PM

http://pastebin.com/6ce84fLN
I put them all in one, so look for big lines of === and --- for the dividers. I saw two things saying something about the AM10 adapter in the dmesg. I hope this helps.
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a b 5 Linux
August 4, 2014 10:09:12 PM

Sorry you have bad luck. From what I can see it is a very non standard device with separate flash partition(s) (detected as sdc and sdd) for the card to 'self install' the drivers on windows. seems to be causing conflicts with detecting the device as an actual wireless device.

I would try what they suggest in this thread, where people have gotten AM10 to work with ubuntu:
http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/bb/viewtopic....
You can get 'usb_modeswitch' via http://packages.ubuntu.com/trusty/usb-modeswitch
(require some kind of internet connection like via ethernet or tether to 3g/4g phone)

IMO I would save my self the trouble and buy a WiFi card known to work well with Linux like these:
https://www.thinkpenguin.com/catalog/wireless-networkin...
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