Ubuntu

How do I connect to the Internet?

Asked by coljohnhannibalsmith

I have an Acer 5102WLMi Laptop and just finished loading Fiesty Fawn x64 onto an extra HDD I purchased for the purpose. I was surprised by how many of my Devices Ubuntu found and appeared to be able to install. I have no idea whether on not they're working. Ubuntu found my Realtech Enthernet Port, My USB Ports, My ENE 5-in-1 Memory Card Reader (I was very surprised by this, since I know for a fact that ENE has not released any Unix Drivers), and my internal Broadcom WiFi Chip. I'm uncertain whether or not it installed my Dialup Modem.

Since my internal Broadcom WiFi chip appears to be installed, how do I test it? In Windows I can see all available WiFi networks; but Ubuntu doesn't appear to have an option for this. It seems to want me to tell it which network I want to connect to without showing me what networks are available. How do I resolve this? I'd like to test the WiFi at Starbucks; but I need to be able to see available networks to do this.

I'd also like to be able to tell if my Dialup Modem is installed and whether or not it's working.

I also have a Sony Ericsson GC89 Wireless EDGE/GPRS modem, for connecting through my cell phone company, which is T-Mobile. Is there anyway to install this Device? I've downloaded NDISWrapper. Even if I'm able to install the Drivers I'll still need to install a Connection Manager client to connect to the Internet. If it's impossible to install this Device under Ubuntu I'm willing to purchase another PCMCIA Card that will work. Does anyone know of a Wireless PCMCIA modem that will work with Ubuntu and T-Mobile? Are there Wireless USB modems that will work with my cell phone company?

Thanks, John

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
coljohnhannibalsmith
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Allen Chemist (alchemist) said : 		#1

To view the wireless networks, here are three methods:
First, is super easy to explain, but rather "complex" to do, since it requires the terminal
Go Applications->Accessories->Terminal
type in iwlist scan
Those are the wireless networks in range (including the hidden ones!)

The second way, is using Gnome's nm-applet (or kwifimanager if you are using kubuntu). In your system tray near the clock, you should have an icon that looks like two computer monitors, one on top of the other. Right click on it and ensure wireless networking is enabled. Now clicking on it *should* show the wireless networks around you. I also experienced a bug with Feisty, which is now fixed in Gutsy, where if I "drove to starbucks", the dropdown list of networks would show all wireless networks between my house and starbucks, most of which at starbucks I was out of range for. Click on any network to connect to it.

The third option, is to go System -> Administration -> Network highlight your "Wireless Connection", and choose properties. Disable the roaming mode, and then you can drop down the list of networks, and that should show the available networks.

Dialup, I havent used before, perhaps someone else can shed some light on this

Same with the GPRS stuff, sorry :)

-Allen

Revision history for this message
coljohnhannibalsmith (john-wakefield2) said : 		#2

Thanks for your reply,

I had a heck-of-a-time installing fwcutter and then the Broadcom Firmware; but finnaly got it installed. I then used your instructions to connect. My experienced afterwards was much improved.

Thanks, John

Revision history for this message
Yury Jajitzky (elruso) said : 		#3

Hi, i have a Sonyericsson GC89 Card, i've tried to connect it into my Compaq Presario V2000 with Hardy but, i just need to use it as modem, lspci says: bradcom 43xx card (and actually works fine with b43) and GPRS/EDGE card. The deal is i cannot disable wifi connection to use modem chipset. i've tried using Gnome-PPP but modem is not detected. How can i enable the modem? thanks