Internet working via Ethernet cable but WiFi not working

[itsmerk]

Hello, I recently installed Linux Lite on my ancient Lenovo3000 Y500 laptop. I am very new to Linux and dont even know basic commands either However, I am liking the fact that this OS is super light. I have two issues currently:

1. I can only access the internet if I connect the laptop physically to my ADSL modem using an Ethernet cable. Wifi Option is there but does not work and the wifi Networks option appears to be dithered even after Enable Wifi option is enabled.

2. I have to use a mouse as the touch pad on the laptop does not work - I was able to resolve this issue by running this command: " sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-synaptics ", after that run this command: " synclient TapButton1=1 TapButton2=3 TapButton3=2" . Rebooted my system and touchpad started working.

Here is an extract of my system information:

System:    Host: RAV Kernel: 5.6.0 i686 (32 bit) Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3
          Distro: Ubuntu 16.04 xenial
Machine:  System: Lenovo product: LENOVO3000 Y500 v: 00000000000000000000000000000000
          Mobo: Lenovo model: F50X Bios: Lenovo v: v2.04 date: 03/16/07
CPU:      Dual core Intel Core Duo T2350 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB
          clock speeds: max: 1867 MHz 1: 997 MHz 2: 1021 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GM/GMS 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
          Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
          Resolution: [email protected]
          GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GM x86/MMX/SSE2
          GLX Version: 1.4 Mesa 18.0.5
Audio:    Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
          driver: snd_hda_intel
          Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k5.6.0
Network:  Card-1: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection
          driver: iwl3945
          IF: wlp3s0 state: down mac: *Masked*
          Card-2: Realtek RTL-8100/8101L/8139 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
          driver: 8139too
          IF: enp5s1 state: unknown speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full
          mac: *Masked*
          WAN IP: 122.171.156.228 IF: wlp3s0 ip-v4: N/A
          IF: enp5s1 ip-v4: 192.168.1.5
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 120.0GB (5.9% used)
          ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HTS54161 size: 120.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 109G used: 5.8G (6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
          ID-2: swap-1 size: 1.06GB used: 0.01GB (1%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:  System Temperatures: cpu: 29.0C mobo: N/A
          Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 161 Uptime: 7 min Memory: 373.2/923.4MB
          Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.35

[Valtam]

Did it work before you added the 5.6 kernel? With hardware that old, I see no sensible reason to be running such a cutting edge kernel.

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[itsmerk]

Did it work before you added the 5.6 kernel? With hardware that old, I see no sensible reason to be running such a cutting edge kernel.

Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk

Unfortunately No. It did not work before either. That was the reason I upgraded the Kernel :/ I am completely new to Linux. My ancient laptop has a Toggle switch for WiFi and Bluetooth. I even checked and ensured that it is On but that LED under the switch never comes on. But when I connect via ethernet cable, internet works just fine.

Also, I tried this :


rav@RAV:~$ rfkill list
0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: yes
rav@RAV:~$ rfkill unblock all
Can't open RFKILL control device: Permission denied

[Valtam]

Hardblocked means your WiFi toggle is switched off. Look for such a switch on your laptop. Usually on the side somewhere. Newer kernels support newer hardware. As kernels progress, older hardware support gets dropped, otherwise the kernel would grow to a ridiculous size.

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[Valtam]

It might also be a key combo eg. FN + somekey Then when rfkill reports hard blocked no, you can run: sudo rfkill unblock all

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[williamd]

Just trying out Linux-Lite on a desktop 4G RAM, Intel dual-core processor. WIFI did not work out of the box even on the live CD (actually memory stick) - everything else seemed fine but no WIFI - rather I should say that the WIFI actually worked but there was no DNS. So, I could ping 8.8.8.8 for eg but not www.google.com Went ahead and installed to desktop hard drive (500G Seagate) but no change. Install seemed to proceed normally and completed normally but still no DNS. I am not able to test with a cable ethernet link so the WIFI operation is critical. After some googling I found a number of helpful suggestions, none of which worked.
/etc/resolv.conf as installed contained (apart from the warning not to edit it) just 1 line nameserver 127.0.0.53 - this I understand is correct but for some reason, does not work. In the end I edited /etx/resolv.conf and added nameserver 8.8.8.8 and nameserver 8.8.4.4 , saved the file after which DNS came alive and the internet was accessible. However, this did not survive a reboot and the file returned to default even when flagged read-only. Finally I switched on the "Immutable" attribute which stopped the update and I was able to reboot and DNS stayed active.
Hopefully, someone might explain why this problem exists and offer a more correct way of correcting it.
Note: this problem only happens on this machine with Linux-lite - Linux-Mint, MX, Ubuntu and Debian all installed and worked without any problem with DNS.

[jesse.bassett]

William,
I experienced this problem with my Linux Lite 5.0 pc. I just decided heck with trying to connect via wifi and have it plugged in via ethernet directly into my router. I know this might not be ideal, but ethernet is actually quicker and safer than wifi.