Help. I Thought Ununtu Was Supposted To Be Perfect And Simple.

[Steve3948]

Dave I think with the slider you slide and hold until the wifi led illuminates.

They are a pain because you don't know if it's on or off, check the manual for sequence of switching.

 

[ProDave]

right I'm having another go at this.

I found (on ask Ubuntu) someone with a similar problem and he solved it by downlaoding and running "Windows wireless drivers"

So I found that in the software centre and downloaded it.

So now it's dumb question time again.

Now I have downloaded it, how do I run it?  i.e where has it put it?

In other words I am looking for the equivalent of Windows Start > Programs, to list all programs installed on the machine.

 

[Steve3948]

Dave, from another forum.

When you download any apps from the Software Center the software package is put into /var/cache/apt/archives. During the installation of those packages the package is opened and the instructions in the package are run. This installs the software and install drivers, instructions, graphics, etc in various directories.

If you try to move apps to another folder they might not run or not run properly. All apps have related files that are expected to reside in particular folders.

Linux has a very tightly defined directory structure. Most of the directory belong to the superuser (root) and has a particular reason for putting certain files in certain folders. The only folder that the user has rights to is the /home/username directory and all of its subdirectories. If the user starts messing with other directories it could seriously damage the system. Only the superuser (root) can install software or the user when granted superuser rights.

This link briefly explains the linux file structure. Changing the file structure will make the system inoperable.

Hope this helps.

Source:

 

[ProDave]

I'm not asking to CHANGE the file structure, just HOW do you run an application that has been downloaded and put SOMEWHERE but I know not where it has been put and how to run it.

For instance if I browse with the software centre under "installed" there is a lot of stuff there already installed but most of it I don't know how to run it.

 

[steptoe]

You could try looking in apps,

Top left, Ubuntu icon, click, will give various apps, look at recently downloaded/installed.

But, as Steve says, most stuff auto installs on download, did it ask for your PW,? If so you downloaded as superuser/root and so should auto install, unless it was a .exe , in that case you need to run it with WINE ,

Do you know what actual chipset you have for your broadcom ?

 

[ProDave]

This ubunto environment is REALLY confusing me

If I do as you say, ALL that is listed under "applications" is Braesro disk burner, Disk usage analyser and Startup disk creator.

No it didn't ask for a password when I downloaded it.

As I say if I browse under "installed" in the software centre there is a LOT of stuff there.  Lets just take a random simple example  Under "accessories" it tells me a "calculator" is installed.  But from the software centre the only options are "more information" that tells me what it is, or "remove" No option to RUN it.

So until I start to understand this ubunto thing and learn how to RUN an application I know is there, I am just not going to get very far.

the solution will be obvious when you tell me, but it's just not obvious to me right now.

 

[steptoe]

OK, my calculator is top left, click, installed applications, click the one you want.

Unlike windoze, you don't usually need to open and run an application after you download it from the software centre.

Oh, after you click the Ubuntu icon at top left, there is 4 (I think) icons at centre bottom that groups applications to different sectors, try looking at them.

 

[ProDave]

Okay i'm getting there SLOWLY

Here's a screen grab.



After I saw the bit in very dim writing "show 11 more items" I now have more applications shown including the calculator. Hooray.   but still not my downloaded wireless driver installer.

But that's an awfully clumsy way to find and run applications. so how would I for instance add the calculator as a shortcut on the desktop, or add it to the launcher bar thingy down the left hand side of the screen?

And I am SURE there are still more applications installed on this machine than that list shows. even after ticking to show more.

 

[NozSpark]

Isn't there an install new hardware option in the tools menu?

 

[ProDave]

Just to be sure I unistalled then re installed this Windows Wireless drivers tool. And watched it like a hawk to see exactly what it did.

It downloaded but nothing ran automatically.

the info on it in the software centre shows a screen shot of what it should look like, but it hasn't run yet.

so the question remains where the hell has it downloaded to, and how do I RUN it?  headbang   headbang   headbang

It is NOT showing anywhere I have looked yet.

 

[NozSpark]

Why are you installing a "Windows wireless drivers tool"??? You're OS isn't Windows!!

 

[ProDave]

Because on "ask ubuntu" someone asking exactly the same question, trying to get the wi fi to work on the very same Acer computer, said he got it working in "15 seconds" by downloading and running that tool.

I'm dumb enough to believe some of what I read on the internet.

 

[OnOff]

I've said elsewhere I've now ditched Ubuntu in favour of Zorin OS (8.1 core). Mainly to ease the wife over to "Linux". So close to Windoze in look and feel it's unreal. Same folder architecture etc. AND it has Chrome NOT Chromium as standard. And it is fast, fast, fast!

Now also have Draftsight on it for a bit of CAD. If I can get MS Word running all will be good!

 

[ProDave]

I'm going to have a night off from playing with this frustrating lappy.

I've tried all the fixes I can find on the net and none work. I think my only hope is a plug in USB wireless adapter.

If that doesn't work then I'm going to look at putting Vista back on it but that probably means fixing that dud DVD drive, unless I can get a Vista install to boot from a USB stick?  Might even consider putting XP on it.  Would XP work with a Vista product key?

 

[steptoe]

PD , to get an app onto the desktop, or the sidebar, left click and hold, then drag it to the sidebar.

I might have a key if you are intent on downgrading to windoze, remember, just because its different doesn't mean its not better,

Can you remember how hard it is to get windoze drivers to work if you don't have the OEM disk,?

Open terminal and

lshw

We need to know the actual chipset of your broadcom, I'm surprised its not natively supported.

 

[ProDave]

Clicking and dragging will get an app to the sidebar but won't let me copy a shortcut to the desktop

kathy@kathy-Portable:~$ lshwWARNING: you should run this program as super-user.kathy-portabledescription: Computerwidth: 32 bits*-coredescription: Motherboardphysical id: 0*-memorydescription: System memoryphysical id: 0size: 1019MiB*-cpuproduct: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 530 @ 1.73GHzvendor: Intel Corp.physical id: 1bus info: cpu@0version: 6.6.1serial: 0001-0661-0000-0000-0000-0000size: 100MHzwidth: 64 bitscapabilities: fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss tm pbe nx x86-64 constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dtherm*-pcidescription: Host bridgeproduct: Mobile PM965/GM965/GL960 Memory Controller Hubvendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 100bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzconfiguration: driver=agpgart-intelresources: irq:0*-display:0description: VGA compatible controllerproduct: Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (primary)vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 2bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0version: 03width: 64 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: vga_controller bus_master cap_list romconfiguration: driver=i915 latency=0resources: irq:44 memory:fc000000-fc0fffff memory:d0000000-dfffffff ioport:1800(size=8)*-display:1 UNCLAIMEDdescription: Display controllerproduct: Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (secondary)vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 2.1bus info: pci@0000:00:02.1version: 03width: 64 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: bus_master cap_listconfiguration: latency=0resources: memory:fc100000-fc1fffff*-usb:0description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1abus info: pci@0000:00:1a.0version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: uhci bus_masterconfiguration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0resources: irq:20 ioport:1820(size=32)*-usb:1description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #5vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1a.1bus info: pci@0000:00:1a.1version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: uhci bus_masterconfiguration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0resources: irq:21 ioport:1840(size=32)*-usb:2description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #2vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1a.7bus info: pci@0000:00:1a.7version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: ehci bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=ehci-pci latency=0resources: irq:20 memory:fc504800-fc504bff*-multimediadescription: Audio deviceproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controllervendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1bbus info: pci@0000:00:1b.0version: 03width: 64 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=snd_hda_intel latency=0resources: irq:45 memory:fc300000-fc303fff*-pci:0description: PCI bridgeproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 1vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1cbus info: pci@0000:00:1c.0version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: pci normal_decode bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=pcieportresources: irq:40 ioport:2000(size=4096) memory:f6000000-f7ffffff ioport:f0000000(size=33554432)*-networkdescription: Ethernet interfaceproduct: NetLink BCM5787M Gigabit Ethernet PCI Expressvendor: Broadcom Corporationphysical id: 0bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0logical name: eth0version: 02serial: 00:16:d3:e7:5f:7asize: 100Mbit/scapacity: 1Gbit/swidth: 64 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt 1000bt-fd autonegotiationconfiguration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=tg3 driverversion=3.134 duplex=full firmware=5787m-v3.23 ip=192.168.1.23 latency=0 link=yes multicast=yes port=twisted pair speed=100Mbit/sresources: irq:46 memory:f6000000-f600ffff*-pci:1description: PCI bridgeproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 2vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1c.1bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.1version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: pci normal_decode bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=pcieportresources: irq:41 ioport:3000(size=4096) memory:f8000000-f9ffffff ioport:f2000000(size=33554432)*-networkdescription: Network controllerproduct: BCM4311 802.11b/g WLANvendor: Broadcom Corporationphysical id: 0bus info: pci@0000:04:00.0version: 01width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=wl latency=0resources: irq:17 memory:f8000000-f8003fff*-pci:2description: PCI bridgeproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 3vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1c.2bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.2version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: pci normal_decode bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=pcieportresources: irq:42 ioport:4000(size=4096) memory:fa000000-fbffffff ioport:f4000000(size=33554432)*-usb:3description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1dbus info: pci@0000:00:1d.0version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: uhci bus_masterconfiguration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0resources: irq:23 ioport:1860(size=32)*-usb:4description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1d.1bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.1version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: uhci bus_masterconfiguration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0resources: irq:17 ioport:1880(size=32)*-usb:5description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1d.2bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.2version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: uhci bus_masterconfiguration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0resources: irq:18 ioport:18a0(size=32)*-usb:6description: USB controllerproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1d.7bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.7version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: ehci bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=ehci-pci latency=0resources: irq:23 memory:fc504c00-fc504fff*-pci:3description: PCI bridgeproduct: 82801 Mobile PCI Bridgevendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1ebus info: pci@0000:00:1e.0version: f3width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: pci subtractive_decode bus_master cap_listresources: ioport:5000(size=4096) memory:fc200000-fc2fffff ioport:40000000(size=67108864)*-pcmciadescription: CardBus bridgeproduct: PCIxx12 Cardbus Controllervendor: Texas Instrumentsphysical id: 6bus info: pci@0000:0f:06.0version: 00width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: pcmcia bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=yenta_cardbus latency=176 maxlatency=5 mingnt=192resources: irq:22 memory:fc204000-fc204fff ioport:5000(size=256) ioport:5400(size=256) memory:40000000-43ffffff memory:48000000-4bffffff*-firewiredescription: FireWire (IEEE 1394)product: PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controllervendor: Texas Instrumentsphysical id: 6.1bus info: pci@0000:0f:06.1version: 00width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: ohci bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=firewire_ohci latency=32 maxlatency=4 mingnt=2resources: irq:22 memory:fc206000-fc2067ff memory:fc200000-fc203fff*-storagedescription: Mass storage controllerproduct: 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)vendor: Texas Instrumentsphysical id: 6.2bus info: pci@0000:0f:06.2version: 00width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: storage bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=tifm_7xx1 latency=57 maxlatency=4 mingnt=7resources: irq:22 memory:fc205000-fc205fff*-genericdescription: SD Host controllerproduct: PCIxx12 SDA Standard Compliant SD Host Controllervendor: Texas Instrumentsphysical id: 6.3bus info: pci@0000:0f:06.3version: 00width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=sdhci-pci latency=57 maxlatency=4 mingnt=7resources: irq:22 memory:fc206800-fc2068ff*-isadescription: ISA bridgeproduct: 82801HM (ICH8M) LPC Interface Controllervendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1fbus info: pci@0000:00:1f.0version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: isa bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=lpc_ich latency=0resources: irq:0*-idedescription: IDE interfaceproduct: 82801HM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) IDE Controllervendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1f.1bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.1version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzcapabilities: ide bus_masterconfiguration: driver=ata_piix latency=0resources: irq:19 ioport:1f0(size=8) ioport:3f6 ioport:170(size=8) ioport:376 ioport:1810(size=16)*-storagedescription: SATA controllerproduct: 82801HM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) SATA Controller [AHCI mode]vendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1f.2bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.2version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 66MHzcapabilities: storage ahci_1.0 bus_master cap_listconfiguration: driver=ahci latency=0resources: irq:43 ioport:1c00(size=8) ioport:18d4(size=4) ioport:18d8(size=8) ioport:18d0(size=4) ioport:18e0(size=32) memory:fc504000-fc5047ff*-serial UNCLAIMEDdescription: SMBusproduct: 82801H (ICH8 Family) SMBus Controllervendor: Intel Corporationphysical id: 1f.3bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.3version: 03width: 32 bitsclock: 33MHzconfiguration: latency=0resources: memory:44000000-440000ff ioport:1c20(size=32)*-scsiphysical id: 1bus info: scsi@5logical name: scsi5capabilities: scsi-hostconfiguration: driver=usb-storageWARNING: output may be incomplete or inaccurate, you should run this program as super-user.kathy@kathy-Portable:~$

 

[steptoe]

OK,

you have a BCM 5787

I'll have a check for you

 

[steptoe]

No he doesn't - at least not for wifi you muppet :slap

He has a BSM4311

OK, Im a numpty,

you sort it then,,,,,,,,,    :slap

 

[OnOff]

Thinking about this issue my boy's Acer 7535G had a similar issue.........came with Vista as new but with a free upgrade offer for Win 7. Tbh the Vista seemed a bit "unstable" so took the offer which simply meant me paying just over a tenner and Acer sent out a couple of discs. I tried to upgrade it and got into major hassle with blank screens etc. Sent back to Acer and they did the Win 7 install AND diagnosed a memory/loose memory fault.

Pretty soon thereafter the onboard Wi-fi went down AND the LAN connection. Ended up getting him a USB to RJ45 type adapter. Then the graphics card died.........£160 later for a repair it came back with a 90-day warranty. Day 92 it died, graphics card again.

Now used as a door stop. Best £550 I've ever spent on a pc.

Go Acer!

 

[Steve3948]

Acer are not the best but they are well priced, we have two Aspire 5742G laptops and they fly, however they must be on a wedge or they can overheat when streaming full screen. Other than that they have been really good. Stuck a 1TB SSD in and its even better.