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    Dell Inspiron 6400 and Live USB updates

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by Pikachu, Jul 26, 2013.

  1. Pikachu

    Pikachu Notebook Consultant

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    Firstly, I want to install Ubuntu on a Dell Inspiron 6400 and encountered a problem WIFI; the wireless card does not appear to be supported by default. Is there a way to fix this through the Terminal? If so then please type some code that I can just cut and paste. The computer is working fine on Fedora, which is odd but lucky, but I prefer Ubuntu.

    Secondly, I am running Ubuntu on Live USB and would like to update the software on the drive, for example, getting the lastest version of Firefox. Is there a way to do this? I have tried installing Ubuntu on the USB itself but the performance is too slow.

    Thank you Linux experts in advance.
     
    Pikachu, Jul 26, 2013
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  2. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    1. Most likely you have a broadcom wifi card and the driver is not being loaded. Yes there is a way to fix that.

    The problem is you'll need internet access to download the driver package, so connect that laptop to wired Ethernet.

    In a terminal type: lspci | grep -i network
    this should output the type of wifi controller you have. If that doesn't work you may have to use just "lspci" and read through the wall of text until you find it.
    Then just do a google search on how to install whichever network adapter you have: example

    2. Yes there is a way to update software on your usb drive, but you will need be running your live cd with "persistence", which gives it some room to save data. While you can update some software like firefox, etc.. and install some other software you want, its not a recommended to update all the ubuntu packages because some stuff just wont install.
    The easiest way to create a ubuntu live usb with persistance is using the linuxliveusb software to create your usb drive. It lets you add a persistence file of whatever size you want. I find usually 1-2gb is fine.
     
    Primes, Jul 27, 2013
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  3. Pikachu

    Pikachu Notebook Consultant

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    Excellent, thank you for your answer.

    However, I cannot connect to the Internet via Ethernet either. Is it possible to download the update and save the changes on the LIVE USB and then do the installation on the laptop?
     
    Pikachu, Jul 27, 2013
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  4. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    It should be possible. you will have to know what wifi adapter you have, and then figure out what ubuntu packages you need.
     
    Primes, Jul 27, 2013
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  5. Pikachu

    Pikachu Notebook Consultant

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    That is great news.

    Can you give me the terminal code to do this, please?
     
    Pikachu, Jul 28, 2013
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