When I wiped and rebuilt the partition it was ext3, which was recommended. I think the problem is grub. Is it possible to boot without grub?
But why should I bother installing it if it does not log into my wireless?
Thanks for your further comments.
Fluppy 13 full install won't boot
Hi - autumnleaves
There are a number of Puppy's that have good broadcom wifi support,
I'll try to prepare a list that I know work and post them.
TWO that spring to mind are racyNOP by gray and most of the eXprimo's by pemasu. Also the earlier saluki002 and of course BK's racy5.2.2.
The latest slako's 5.3.1.4 & 5.3.1.5 although still experimental, are likely to be ok.
Exton - a slacko derivative is also good - as are many of the later 3xx kernel experimental lucid's.
HTH - keep at it - you'll be glad if you do
very best regards - Ray
edit - if your laptop does 64bit - even more choice with broadcom wifi
1) Fatdog64 2) Lighthouse64. both are very good.
menu.lst with comments attatched.
There are a number of Puppy's that have good broadcom wifi support,
I'll try to prepare a list that I know work and post them.
TWO that spring to mind are racyNOP by gray and most of the eXprimo's by pemasu. Also the earlier saluki002 and of course BK's racy5.2.2.
The latest slako's 5.3.1.4 & 5.3.1.5 although still experimental, are likely to be ok.
Exton - a slacko derivative is also good - as are many of the later 3xx kernel experimental lucid's.
HTH - keep at it - you'll be glad if you do
very best regards - Ray
edit - if your laptop does 64bit - even more choice with broadcom wifi
1) Fatdog64 2) Lighthouse64. both are very good.
menu.lst with comments attatched.
- Attachments
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- menu.zip
- (1.29 KiB) Downloaded 134 times
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autumnleaves
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Have tried with WPA rather than WPA2 several times without success. I guess it's time to give up. At this point, I'm not in the mood for trying every distro on earth only to discover that none of them works. But thanks for the suggestion. My Windows laptop logs in instantly. Why is Linux so limited?
Windows has more people who use it, and more people who make stuff for it that you can purchase.
If you were willing to put in a little more effort, though, I think you'd find that you're embracing a double standard
Almost anything that you can do in Windows, you can do in Linux. It's just done a little differently, but that's OK.
If you were willing to put in a little more effort, though, I think you'd find that you're embracing a double standard
Almost anything that you can do in Windows, you can do in Linux. It's just done a little differently, but that's OK.-
autumnleaves
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- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
I just wasted another hour at an internet cafe. Still no connection.
I have been using computers since the days of CPM on Apple with the Z80 card. I have gone through every version of DOS, every version of Windows from 1.0, and used every kind of communication from serial modems to faxcards to ethernet and DSL and cable, not to mention wireless. As insanely frustrating as all that stuff might have been (e.g., editing ini files under Windows 2.1!), I don't think I've encountered anything as dumbfounding as this. Why can't Linux do something so elementary as connect a laptop to a wireless network? Is it Puppy or is it Broadcom?
I have been using computers since the days of CPM on Apple with the Z80 card. I have gone through every version of DOS, every version of Windows from 1.0, and used every kind of communication from serial modems to faxcards to ethernet and DSL and cable, not to mention wireless. As insanely frustrating as all that stuff might have been (e.g., editing ini files under Windows 2.1!), I don't think I've encountered anything as dumbfounding as this. Why can't Linux do something so elementary as connect a laptop to a wireless network? Is it Puppy or is it Broadcom?
Hi autumnleaves
You said "My Windows laptop logs in instantly."
'spose you could continue using Windows.
There are some advantages but also many more dis-advantages.
You said " Why is Linux so limited?"
With respect - the limitations are not in Linux.
Especially not in Puppy - there is no other OS in the world that
can do all the things that Puppy is capable of.
Puppy is not perfect - however, it blows anything else out there
into oblivion, especially when used with a degree of care and understanding.
All in a 100mb to 200mb download (average 150mb) and for free.
Nothing even begins to come close.
WPA works fine on all my kit - WPA2 is ok too.
As starhawk says - with a little effort - Linux will allow you
to do anything Windows does - and much more besides.
Just out of curiosity - what distro's did you try?
Which slacko did you boot?
As always - very best regards - Ray
Was writing this as you were posting - and was going to relate a similar story about how close I came
to throwing the whole lot out the window, several times, when it wouldn't print or something similar. dos3 onwards, win 1,2,3.11,95,98, OS2, warp, etc - what fun - screeeeech!
Still use OS2warp occasionally - it's on a Compaq presario 425 that's attatched to an IBM quick writer 5204 (dot mtrix) printer.
As to your last quesion - I'm thinking broadcom may be the culprit - it has caused a few headaches around here.
We have a residential specialist - we may need to enlist his help.
Again all the best - Ray
You said "My Windows laptop logs in instantly."
'spose you could continue using Windows.
There are some advantages but also many more dis-advantages.
You said " Why is Linux so limited?"
With respect - the limitations are not in Linux.
Especially not in Puppy - there is no other OS in the world that
can do all the things that Puppy is capable of.
Puppy is not perfect - however, it blows anything else out there
into oblivion, especially when used with a degree of care and understanding.
All in a 100mb to 200mb download (average 150mb) and for free.
Nothing even begins to come close.
WPA works fine on all my kit - WPA2 is ok too.
As starhawk says - with a little effort - Linux will allow you
to do anything Windows does - and much more besides.
Just out of curiosity - what distro's did you try?
Which slacko did you boot?
As always - very best regards - Ray
Was writing this as you were posting - and was going to relate a similar story about how close I came
to throwing the whole lot out the window, several times, when it wouldn't print or something similar. dos3 onwards, win 1,2,3.11,95,98, OS2, warp, etc - what fun - screeeeech!
Still use OS2warp occasionally - it's on a Compaq presario 425 that's attatched to an IBM quick writer 5204 (dot mtrix) printer.
As to your last quesion - I'm thinking broadcom may be the culprit - it has caused a few headaches around here.
We have a residential specialist - we may need to enlist his help.
Again all the best - Ray
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Much obliged for your thoughts Ray. I would get rid of this HP, except that I am rather fond of it. It's sleek and small, but just a bit slow. Hence the plan to run something that does not require as much horsepower. But unless I can determine what it is that is preventing the wireless from functioning, it may just be destined to become a paperweight. So far I've tried Mint, Puppy, Damn Small Linux, Puppee, ICEpuppy, Slitaz (didn't even boot from CD), OpenSUSE, and of course Slacko, the current download version.
Since Slacko sees the wireless and lists available connections, evidently the Broadcom is activated. Unless I am missing something in the parameters (SSID, key, ??) I don't know what the hitch could be. Best to you.
Since Slacko sees the wireless and lists available connections, evidently the Broadcom is activated. Unless I am missing something in the parameters (SSID, key, ??) I don't know what the hitch could be. Best to you.
Hi autumnleaves
I'm going to the local LUG meeting tomorrow and I think one of the guy's has a very similar laptop to yours. Think he runs Fedora on it - I'll check.
My daughter has a much newer / nearly new Emachines laptop that has broadcom (B43 - I think) wireless.
I've booted and connected very successfully with all the Puppy's I # commented in my menu.lst.zip.
I'll try a few of the latest incarnations on it - and the older known goodies to confirm operation - and post a few links to those that work (at least for me) on that laptop.
Think it's a E237, 15" with 2gb ram, i3 proc and win7 64bit on a 250ish gb HDD.
Have a look around the forum at some of the latest happenings to get a feel for what going on and what's available in the meantime - understand your frustation - especially if you are depending on Internet Cafe for connection.
Will post after tomorrow with a list of known Puppy broadcom go'ers.
Hopefully one of them at least will work with your laptop.
Very best regards - Ray
I'm going to the local LUG meeting tomorrow and I think one of the guy's has a very similar laptop to yours. Think he runs Fedora on it - I'll check.
My daughter has a much newer / nearly new Emachines laptop that has broadcom (B43 - I think) wireless.
I've booted and connected very successfully with all the Puppy's I # commented in my menu.lst.zip.
I'll try a few of the latest incarnations on it - and the older known goodies to confirm operation - and post a few links to those that work (at least for me) on that laptop.
Think it's a E237, 15" with 2gb ram, i3 proc and win7 64bit on a 250ish gb HDD.
Have a look around the forum at some of the latest happenings to get a feel for what going on and what's available in the meantime - understand your frustation - especially if you are depending on Internet Cafe for connection.
Will post after tomorrow with a list of known Puppy broadcom go'ers.
Hopefully one of them at least will work with your laptop.
Very best regards - Ray
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
-
autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Perhaps this is of some relevance here:
http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php
http://www.broadcom.com/support/802.11/linux_sta.php
Hi autumnleaves
Just to recap
1)did Fluppy boot ok from CD on your laptop?
2)did fluppy connect ok via wifi if/when booting from CD?
3)is the "not booting" issue - fixed now?
(we just need to get wifi working now)?
4)would you mind posting a hardinfo hardware report?
(don't need benchmarks - just the other 3 bits)
(just zip the file up when posting to meet forum requirements).
Will test a few other puppy's on the Emachines laptop soon.
All the best - Ray
Just to recap
1)did Fluppy boot ok from CD on your laptop?
2)did fluppy connect ok via wifi if/when booting from CD?
3)is the "not booting" issue - fixed now?
(we just need to get wifi working now)?
4)would you mind posting a hardinfo hardware report?
(don't need benchmarks - just the other 3 bits)
(just zip the file up when posting to meet forum requirements).
Will test a few other puppy's on the Emachines laptop soon.
All the best - Ray
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Hi Ray,
Thanks for your response. To the best of my recollection, Fluppy booted from CD and is now installed on HD. I'm not sure if I managed to connect to wifi from CDROM at some point. In any event I am unable to connect to my internet via wifi, or via wireless at an internet cafe. I have also removed security on my internet (unsuccessful) and installed a wireless N USB adapter which came with my TPLink router. Even though I selected the driver (Atheros) from the wizard's list, Fluppy is unable to see the adapter at all.
I will see about getting the report you request.
Suggestion: rather than supply several different network setup wizards with Pluppy, it might be better to have one that works reliably.
Best regards.
Thanks for your response. To the best of my recollection, Fluppy booted from CD and is now installed on HD. I'm not sure if I managed to connect to wifi from CDROM at some point. In any event I am unable to connect to my internet via wifi, or via wireless at an internet cafe. I have also removed security on my internet (unsuccessful) and installed a wireless N USB adapter which came with my TPLink router. Even though I selected the driver (Atheros) from the wizard's list, Fluppy is unable to see the adapter at all.
I will see about getting the report you request.
Suggestion: rather than supply several different network setup wizards with Pluppy, it might be better to have one that works reliably.
Best regards.
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
autumnleaves
Thats good, as long as you have a working (ie bootable) puppy available, on CD, HDD, USBstick or SDcard. Doesn't really matter which puppy - we can use the built in tools to get a puppy working with wifi.
I'm beginning to suspect the Slacko version you chose, and maybe fluppy also, just does not have the correct modules / drivers activated or built in.
Although I am surprised that fluppy didn't work with wifi - given the age and type of laptop, normally I would have thought they were made for each other.
The hardinfo report will be useful to determine which of the many puppy's will be most liikely to work.
It will also allow me to see your HDD config (partitions etc) CPU, ram etc.
All helpfull stuff when selecting a suitable puppy.
There are those on this forum that could take any puppy, knock it into shape, and just make it work.
Sadly i am not that good yet - but have reasonably high hopes of getting to a successfull conclusion.
Suppose I should also add that if anyone reading this knows of a suitable solution - please feel free to chip in - I'm sure it will be appreciated.
Again - all the best - Ray
Thats good, as long as you have a working (ie bootable) puppy available, on CD, HDD, USBstick or SDcard. Doesn't really matter which puppy - we can use the built in tools to get a puppy working with wifi.
I'm beginning to suspect the Slacko version you chose, and maybe fluppy also, just does not have the correct modules / drivers activated or built in.
Although I am surprised that fluppy didn't work with wifi - given the age and type of laptop, normally I would have thought they were made for each other.
The hardinfo report will be useful to determine which of the many puppy's will be most liikely to work.
It will also allow me to see your HDD config (partitions etc) CPU, ram etc.
All helpfull stuff when selecting a suitable puppy.
There are those on this forum that could take any puppy, knock it into shape, and just make it work.
Sadly i am not that good yet - but have reasonably high hopes of getting to a successfull conclusion.
Suppose I should also add that if anyone reading this knows of a suitable solution - please feel free to chip in - I'm sure it will be appreciated.
Again - all the best - Ray
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Hi Ray,
I am sure that anything is possible in the kennel. However, I must say that after my few experiences with Linux in different flavours, my optimism for this laptop installation is on the wane.
Attached the hardinfo report, plus a log of the login failure.
Thanks again for your determination.
I am sure that anything is possible in the kennel. However, I must say that after my few experiences with Linux in different flavours, my optimism for this laptop installation is on the wane.
Attached the hardinfo report, plus a log of the login failure.
Thanks again for your determination.
- Attachments
-
- Logs1.zip
- (7.96 KiB) Downloaded 167 times
Hi autumnleaves
Thats a decent laptop - and if the battery is still half ok - very usable.
Below - brief specs of my old tonka-toy - but I'm running fluppy on it now.
Very nice it is too - I tend to prefer Opera for browsing. Easy install on any puppy.
I think there is a better than good chance of getting you going - unless the broadcom bits on that particular model are really peculiar.
And if that is the case - a short wait for a 3.2.x or .3.3 kernel puppy will - almost certainly do it.
Just got my hands on the Emachines laptop with B43 broadcom wifi.
Am going to run a few puppy's on it and make a few recommendations.
I do realise that just 'cos they run on this laptop - it may be that they are not necessarily suitable for yours - but there is a good chance they are.
There are already a number of 3.x.x kernel puppy's around and a good few k2.6.39.4 puppy's that I think are all excellent candidates.
That lappy is too good to become a paper-weight.
All the best - Ray
Thats a decent laptop - and if the battery is still half ok - very usable.
Below - brief specs of my old tonka-toy - but I'm running fluppy on it now.
Very nice it is too - I tend to prefer Opera for browsing. Easy install on any puppy.
I think there is a better than good chance of getting you going - unless the broadcom bits on that particular model are really peculiar.
And if that is the case - a short wait for a 3.2.x or .3.3 kernel puppy will - almost certainly do it.
Just got my hands on the Emachines laptop with B43 broadcom wifi.
Am going to run a few puppy's on it and make a few recommendations.
I do realise that just 'cos they run on this laptop - it may be that they are not necessarily suitable for yours - but there is a good chance they are.
There are already a number of 3.x.x kernel puppy's around and a good few k2.6.39.4 puppy's that I think are all excellent candidates.
That lappy is too good to become a paper-weight.
All the best - Ray
[b]Asus[/b] 701SD. 2gig ram. 8gb SSD. [b]IBM A21m[/b] laptop. 192mb ram. PIII Coppermine proc. [b]X60[/b] T2400 1.8Ghz proc. 2gig ram. 80gb hdd. [b]T41[/b] Pentium M 1400Mhz. 512mb ram.
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24
Great news Ray, please do keep me posted. But if you have other fish to fry, please don't waste too much of your time on this problem. With regard to the computer, the model I have is a souped down version of what I really would like to have purchased <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355367,00.asp> but that configuration (Core 2 Duo SP9300 and 8 Mb RAM)was not available for some reason. If I had been able to track down that one it could have been my main rig!
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Hi again - just seen this in the saluki thread - looks promising.
pemasu said
"cthisbear. This link does contain nice datasheet of broadcom chips.
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drive ... ed_devices
With lspci -nnv you can check what broadcom chip you have and what driver will work for you. There is now new opensource driver family brcm80211, which have two new kernel drivers: brcmsmac and brcmfmac and they handle now 4 chips which were previously handled by proprietary wl.
Wl is tricky. To use it...you have to disable ssb and b43. There is scripts to do that in /etc/init.d or in /root/Startup....but there is also possiblity that ssb disablind has side effects.
Those 2 new drivers now handle some of previously wl driver handled chips...but not all......
If there is need....wl driver can be compiled and included as separate pet with script to automatically disable ssb and b43 and then load wl.
In 3.2.2 kernel those new drivers are changed from staging to network drivers section and same time me or 01micko didnt find the right recipe to get them enabled. Probably it will be fixed properly in next kernel.
Summary...there is still many broadcom chips which needs wl driver...but...I have seen very few requests for wl since brcm80211 family was introduced. Woof automatically installs needed firmwares for brcm80211 to the build if woof script recognizes 2.6.39 kernel or newer."
picking the bones out of that - hopefully means - we are well on the way - if not there already in many cases.
Just tried Fluppy and it did not boot (dropping out of init, could not access tty2, terminated - or something similar)
However saluki-009 is running (no flying) and I'm posting from it now - it's fantastic.
This means that BK's racy5.2.2 and gray's racyNOP-5.2.2rc1 will also work. (all the same source)
saluki-002 is also another.
Regards - Ray
pemasu said
"cthisbear. This link does contain nice datasheet of broadcom chips.
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drive ... ed_devices
With lspci -nnv you can check what broadcom chip you have and what driver will work for you. There is now new opensource driver family brcm80211, which have two new kernel drivers: brcmsmac and brcmfmac and they handle now 4 chips which were previously handled by proprietary wl.
Wl is tricky. To use it...you have to disable ssb and b43. There is scripts to do that in /etc/init.d or in /root/Startup....but there is also possiblity that ssb disablind has side effects.
Those 2 new drivers now handle some of previously wl driver handled chips...but not all......
If there is need....wl driver can be compiled and included as separate pet with script to automatically disable ssb and b43 and then load wl.
In 3.2.2 kernel those new drivers are changed from staging to network drivers section and same time me or 01micko didnt find the right recipe to get them enabled. Probably it will be fixed properly in next kernel.
Summary...there is still many broadcom chips which needs wl driver...but...I have seen very few requests for wl since brcm80211 family was introduced. Woof automatically installs needed firmwares for brcm80211 to the build if woof script recognizes 2.6.39 kernel or newer."
picking the bones out of that - hopefully means - we are well on the way - if not there already in many cases.
Just tried Fluppy and it did not boot (dropping out of init, could not access tty2, terminated - or something similar)
However saluki-009 is running (no flying) and I'm posting from it now - it's fantastic.
This means that BK's racy5.2.2 and gray's racyNOP-5.2.2rc1 will also work. (all the same source)
saluki-002 is also another.
Regards - Ray
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autumnleaves
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat 08 Jan 2011, 01:24