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Linux compatibility with Dell Venue Pro (wireless)
Hello
I hold a Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 and I'm looking for Linux distros which are compatible with it. In particular the linux operative systems I've being trying so far do boot but none of them do recognize the wireless adapter (It does work properly under the preinstalled windows instead).
It does frustrate me because other devices coming with the Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 do connect under linux, whereas on my tablet the network adapter is not even recognized at all.
I would ask if this issue arises out from some hardware features (chipset/proprietrary drivers/other) specifically depending on this Dell tablet? In other terms, by purchasing an external adapter totally supported by Linux could I avoid to run into the incompatibility or should I purchase another tablet to connect to the internet under Linux?
Adimansi
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January 7th, 2016 02:00
Compatibility issues are fewer these days.
My recommendation is to stick Ubuntu on a flash drive and run the ''live' version. You will quickly see compatibility issues without compromising your current installation. I think SuSE has a live distro too
It is possible to use ndiswrapper, or windows network tool in linux, to use the windows .inf file to ensure your wireless works. just make sure you have the .inf file handy and it should work.
robertalrp
10 Posts
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January 7th, 2016 03:00
Thank you for your reply. I already did it actually, here are all the distro I've tried so far in live mode:
1) distro which do run and work but they don't recognize the adapter:
2) distro which had other issues:
OpenSUSE-Leap-42.1 (no live option, so I couldn't verify)
Adimansi
32 Posts
1
January 7th, 2016 10:00
Introduction
Ndiswrapper is a Linux module which allows Ubuntu to use the Windows driver for wireless cards. One may want to use ndiswrapper for a number of reasons:
There is also a GUI front end instead of the command line.
Try LinuxLite, it might work without using the above method.
Adimansi
32 Posts
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January 8th, 2016 19:00
I posted a reply but it hasn't yet been approved.
Ndiswrapper will solve your problem. Hopefully my earlier reply will be approved soon.
robertalrp
10 Posts
0
January 9th, 2016 09:00
Hi,
I had a look to what you suggested to me but I didn't find my network adapter among those listed in the info page, thank you anyway.
(BTW I noticed that it's not intel-dual-band-wireless-n-7260 but Dell Wireless 1537, I don't know why the review I read on reported the n-7260)
Adimansi
32 Posts
1
January 10th, 2016 03:00
ndiswrapper uses the windows driver .inf file therefore it should/will work with any adapter you have the .inf file for.
robertalrp
10 Posts
0
January 10th, 2016 05:00
On the documentation is written that I cannot install the packages within the live session:
"
2.1.3. Installing Packages without internet access
Without an Internet connection, you can still install ndiswrapper-utils from the Desktop CD. If you installed from that, the repository in which ndiswrapper-utils is found is on the CD, but not within the live session. You need to boot into your new Ubuntu installation and then reinsert the Desktop CD. You will be asked if you want to add the packages on the CD to your list of repositories. Put the CD into the drive, click System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager and search for ndis. If you don't know how to install applications, read this guide.
"
Me I don't want to install Linux on my tablet, just want to use it within the live session, and I cannot connect to the internet in other ways :/