The Dongle and Ubuntu

Discussion in 'Computer Science & Culture' started by Bowser, Aug 14, 2016.

  1. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    So I purchased a wireless dongle for my Ubuntu machine and it arrived yesterday. The main selling point was that it claimed to be compatible with Linux and, more specifically, Ubuntu. I opened the package to find the dongle and a cd. What I found on the disc were a number of files (C files) but no readme file that explained their purpose or directions on how to use them in the configuration of the device. I spent most the morning trying to figure them out, going as far as trying to compile the files. With no success, I've given up for the day.

    I really want to use Linux and am giving it my best effort, but it's stuff like this that discourages my efforts.
     
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  3. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

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    Had the same problem myself with Ubuntu. I tried some free software, I tried googling. I think I gave up because there were so many different"solutions".

    Are you familiar with linux command-line stuff, how to check the configuration of this or that device or if there's a driver bound to the kernel?

    p.s. the dongle I was using, of course worked just fine with Windows on the same machine.
     
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  5. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    I was using the "Terminal" today while trying to compile the C files. Kept getting an error message concerning the make file--No Target defined. Though I'm relatively new to the command line structure in linux, I'm thinking I will be learning real soon. The disc that came with the dongle had an exe file for Windows and the same for Mac. It looks like all the files for linux are C source code, no binaries.

    The light on the dongle flashes as if it were transmitting, but there's no way I can configure it for my wireless network, so it's pretty much a USB strobe light at present.
     
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  7. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

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    Just a hint here. I did manage to download a package of C files, makefiles etc, compiled it after downloading some missing libraries, and . . . the dongle still didn't work.

    I also managed to find out that the problem was to do with switching the mode of the external device, but despite trying a couple more ready-to-run public domain whatsits, it never worked with Ubuntu. So since I have Windows (8 I think) on a separate partition, I bite my tongue (but not too hard) and use that if I need to.
     
  8. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Well, I bought the dongle thinking it would perform better than the wireless card already in the system. I do have access to the internet, but it is slow. When we were running Windows 7 on that computer, the wireless card would work on occasions, so I purchased a wireless dongle which solved the problem. That dongle was in bad shape when I switched to Ubuntu, and I couldn't find the documentation for it, hence the new dongle. The wireless card is working consistently under Ubuntu, it's just so slow. I've been searching for a solution to fix that, but I was really hoping the dongle would save me the effort.

    Anyway, I'm in it for $5.95 (dongle w/shipping). I suppose if I can't make it work, it won't be a big deal. Thanks for your thoughts on the issue.
     
  9. Confused2 Registered Senior Member

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    Try turning your PC off and disconnecting the power for a minute or two. Reconnect (obviously) and try again. I am indebted to Dr Acula for this tip. Worked for me with an otherwise dead dongle.
     
  10. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    I wish it was so simple. The dongle needs to be configured for my system and the wireless network.
     
  11. Confused2 Registered Senior Member

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    On many occasions I plu in a random dongle and the network icon changes. On clicking it says 'Networks available' (or similar) - I click on mine, enter my password and away we go. Do you get 'Networks available'? If you get that far you may well need Samba - are you that far?
     
  12. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

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    One milestone here is being able to query the USB port.
    Try that before, then after you plug in the dingle. Or the dongle.
     
  13. Confused2 Registered Senior Member

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    Could you remind us all how to query a USB port?
     
  14. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

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    Look for public domain apps, my man. There's something called usbview which runs as an XW client. It's on sourceforge.net/projects.
     
  15. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    No, I don't. There's a settings icon which you can access to view system specifics, including the network. Unfortunately, there's nothing for the USB. I can access the network, but I have no way to determine whether it's my internal wireless card or the dongle.
     
  16. Confused2 Registered Senior Member

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    I've just plugged in a second dongle to a dongle wifi PC - it gave no indication it was there. I'd guess you need to remove the existing connection in 'Network Connections' and add a new one - I didn't dare try it though. I seem to recall choosing between wired or wifi but as to whether you get to choose between possible wifi sources I don't know. I think the PC would have said something if it didn't know what the second dongle was - or maybe not. Arfa's Usbview - an XW client - sounds good to me.
     
  17. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Resolved!

    Well, there's a small icon on the top right corner of the screen. Wouldn't you know it, I tapped on it and my dongle was displayed with the option to connect to my wireless. It works great. Very fast indeed. It figures that it would be something simple, sheesh!
     

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  18. Confused2 Registered Senior Member

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  19. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Strange that it doesn't show up in system settings. I suppose I was looking too hard. Had I not tapped on the icon on the upper right, I'd still be puzzling over the thing.
     
  20. C C Consular Corps - "the backbone of diplomacy" Valued Senior Member

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    I had read somewhere that there was supposed to be something equivalent to a device manager for Ubuntu, whenever a driver was needed for a device which it didn't already have. But my brief experiences with that OS in the past left me perpetually wondering if anything remains certain about it from year to year.

    I recollect downloading / installing an image editor from online that was supposed to be as compatible with it as Gimp, but then for the life of me couldn't find where it was located. No shortcut in its version of a "menu" / sidebar for activating it, no shortcut on the desktop, no Program Files folder for directly finding the application and making a shortcut from it (or if there was a Programs folder, no sign of that software); and there didn't seem to be any quick information in whatever passed for Help to enlighten one on such basic affairs.

    After being frustrated right and left by such elemental things as that, I finally abandoned the OS. I realize that the actual "alien beast" that is exotic to earthly good-sense and practicality is probably Windows; but back then I wasn't earnest about investing the hours, days, weeks to become familiar with "normal".
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016

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