Hardware won't work on Squeeze 6.0 but if I install Lenny will it work

[cbaskins82]

I really loved squeeze but I am afraid trying to get the hardware configured for it will be impossible. In squeeze my hardware wasn't compatible. My audio didn't work, network adapter didn't work along with alot of other things. I am going to have to revert back to Lenny, and what I wanted to ask is that if I do this will my hardware still not work? I have never put lenny on this machine, but it has always worked out of the box on everything else. Also I am used to lenny 5.01 is their a difference in 5.08? Thanks sooooo much for helping.

[fanderal]

Hello and welcome.

In squeeze my hardware wasn't compatible. My audio didn't work, network adapter didn't work along with alot of other things.

Was the 'firmware-linux' pkg installed?

[cynwulf]

It's most likely down to missing firmware as the above poster has observed - you should first enable contrib and non-free repos and install firmware-linux (meta package).

lspci

Should aid you to id the hardware and locate firmware - not all firmware is in firmware-linux-free or firmware-linux-nonfree, firmware blobs for wireless chips are often in their own packages.

[cbaskins82]

[QUOTE=cynwulf;855720]It's most likely down to missing firmware as the above poster has observed - you should first enable contrib and non-free repos and install firmware-linux (meta package).
You guys are correct, but none of my hardware is working on the laptop so I have to use the windows PC. I also use a screenreader orca, but sound doesn't work on the laptop I want to install debian on. I have spent almost 25 hours hunched over with a magnifier trying to get this stuff up and running but no luck. I read in a forum that if squeeze didn't pick up hardware in the beginning your going to pull your hair out lol. Where can I get the Non-free firmware packages so that I can put them on a flash drive? Could it be more than just the non- free firmware? I am visually impaired and don't want to go down the wrong road again. Also would it be easier to use the firmware media during install when prompted or just wait until install? Thanks guys alot.

[fanderal]

Where can I get the Non-free firmware packages so that I can put them on a flash drive?

Are you transferring pkgs to the laptop with a flash drive because the laptop's wireless connection doesn't work? If so, I'd suggest using a wired connection until you can get the laptop's wireless connection working.

[cbaskins82]

Actually none of my connections are working, lan or wireless. Sound isn't working either. I read about the firmware netinstall iso installation and tried it. Still doesn't work it still say insert media if you have it and though I do have it it just says continue. When I click continue it tries to search and back to the error with a continue button. If I trick it into installing squeeze without the non-firmware can I install the drivers from the desktop? I really want to resolve this and do not no how. .

[fanderal]

Actually none of my connections are working, lan or wireless.

It might be best to resolve the connection problem before trying to resolve the installation problem. You could spend hours, or days, downloading, transferring and installing individual pkgs to get the desktop working... with an internet connection, you can download and install the pkgs you need in a few minutes.

[fanderal]

Forgot to add... if a connection just isn't possible and you still want to resolve this, take your laptop to a friend's house and use their internet connection. If you do, I'd suggest a reinstall as the installation process will ask if you want to install the non-free firmware pkg, and possibly the firmware pkgs for your wireless and sound. Whether it does or doesn't, you'll have the connection to install whatever you want/need. I'd also recommend printing the results of

 lspci

as previously posted, so you'll know which hardware you have (ethernet controller, audio) and can identify the firmware pkgs needed.

[cbaskins82]

I definately agree with this especially in linux. So I notice that no matter what media I use to install debian Squeeze it freezes during the disk detection at 50 Percent and am not sure if this could indicate further problems. I just wish the installer had a browse button when prompting for non-free firmware media. Its mentioning b:43 I notice that at the debian wikki there is mltiple b:43 firmware files. I am truly confused, because the netinstall .ISO which includes the firmware still didn't work and it should have. Could this laptop be hopeless? When I installed debian lenny my graphics card wouldn't work which is unusual for lenny because it detects everything. Although Knoppix adriane detected everything flawlessy except wireless. I would just go with knoppix adriane but its just too dumbed down. Ubuntu is too slow and nothing else seems to work with a screen reader. I am out of CD's and am using netbootin to create a bootable ISO from a flash drive if I get the non-free files where should I put them in the usb so that the installer can find them with included drivers. Thanks alot everyone again. Just trying to grasp why it always takes forever to get some distros up and running. OH YEAH BY the way I have broadband internet, it's just that squeeze won't allow me to use my hardware none of it except the monitor and keyboard and mouse.

[BoDiddley]

I got the same b43 error on install.I have done the research but not tackled the problem because I am wired. Not ready to break anything, yet. Here are my notes. (Broadcom). Maybe something in my notes will help you:


apt-get install b43-fwcutter
b43-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware wl_aptsa_mimo_o
(bf43-fwcutter --list displays wl_aptsa_mimo_o as ID fw13)
(result. cannot open firmware file wl_aptsa_mimo_o)(kernel 26)
*the error message was generated in kernel 32. Try on the other side.

I have 2 kernels 26, and 32. I believe my hybrid load will result in my inability to do wireless. This does not concern me. I never plan to go wireless. If I need to go wireless I will put Debian 6.0 in my spare partition - but I do not see that occurring.

Also, is there software required to be installed on your system by you ISP (Internet Service Provider). I have DSl - they always want you to load their connection software. However, I do not. I call them and tell them I want a direct connection without their software. They push a few buttons and it works fine - this is for wired, not wireless.

As for your sound, mine did not work either. This is not uncommon. Here are my notes:

#apt-get install alsa-base
#alsactl init
returns-Unknown hardware: "NFORCE" "Analog Devices AD1981B"
“AC97a:41445374" "0x103c" "0x006d"
reboot system.

[at this point sound was extended to everything but streaming webcams. I noticed that
knoppix was also using aumix (mixer) - I opted]

#apt-get install esound
[sound extended to streaming, and multiple interfaces]

[at this point sound is working universally, however - level is low]

#apt-get install esound-clients
#esddsp -m

#apt-get install alsamixergui
adjusting “PCM” levels nets proper results (increased levels)

#lsmod|grep snd (displays results differing from previous)