Raspberry Pi Forums

kutuup wrote:I'm completely new to Linux, but have enough computing experience to notice that the support for USB WiFi devices with Raspbian is pretty poor.

I've tried three different devices all from different manufacturers now, all of which publish Linux drivers, but none of them seem to be compatible with Raspbian as far as I can see. I've had varying success with each, but never actually managed to build the drivers for any of them successfully.

Be it readme files that lead to non-existant web addresses (not the fault of Raspbian, I know) for required files, or kernel version incompatability, getting my Pi connected to wifi is seeming like a fading dream

The latest device and driver I've tried in a Belkin f5d6050, which purports to have Linux support. I managed to track down the drivers for the specific chipset, an Atmel one, the driver is at76_usb-0.17.

When trying to run make on it via the console in Raspbian, I get an error stating that the kernel at the given address is not configured.

Checking the readme file indicated that you need firmware for the device in order to build the driver. It points to the url: http://developer.berlios.de/projects/at76c503a/.

That's a non-existant address.

Another dead end, sadly, it seems.

kutuup wrote:That doesn't exactly help. I'm not looking to buy another WiFi device that may or may not work. The problem is I can't get my apparently supported device working.

It's hardly helpful to respond to someone looking for help repairing their Ford by linking them to a website where they can buy an Audi.

lsusb

uname -a

NormanDunbar wrote:Greetings kutuup,

are you running Jessie or Wheezy? In other words, which Raspbian are you running please?
Much of what you need is different between the two versions. Not Raspbian's fault, it came from Debian changes.

Have you updated to the most recent release of your current version?

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sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Can you see your device when it is plugged in?

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lsusb

Check out this topic for information the could help:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=127972

It's a start, but without knowing which Raspbian you are running, helping could be difficult.


Cheers,
Norm.

fruitoftheloom wrote:

kutuup wrote:That doesn't exactly help. I'm not looking to buy another WiFi device that may or may not work. The problem is I can't get my apparently supported device working.

It's hardly helpful to respond to someone looking for help repairing their Ford by linking them to a website where they can buy an Audi.

Linux does not have Drivers like Windows you need to have a totally different approach....

With Linux when you plug in a USB Device the outputs of the following will give information to help locate the correct driver / firmware

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lsusb

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uname -a

...as well as the Operating System - Raspbian ??

Therefore there are many Wireless Chipsets supported by the Linux Kernel, and some only need a firmware install.

Regards Linux Drivers many manufacturers only list for x86 Architecture, not for ARM Archectiture of the RPi, and many ignore Linux altogether..

Fortunateley we have many community developers, see: https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org

This is outdated but shows many Chipsets are supported on the RPi http://elinux.org/RPi_USB_Wi-Fi_Adapters

gregeric wrote:I know that posting the output of lsusb & uname -a may be difficult if you do not have an active network, and apt-get update/upgrade impossible.

Can you connect with ethernet so that you can copy/paste from the Pi? If not redirect their output by adding >/boot/lsusb.txt to create a text file of the output that your PC can read (remove the microSD & your PC will see the /boot folder & the text files).

You'll need to run them as root to be able to write to /boot so:

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sudo lsusb > /boot/lsusb.txt
sudo uname -a > /boot/uname.txt

gregeric wrote:

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sudo dmesg > /boot/dmesg.txt

may help as well if it turns out firmware is missing.

kutuup wrote:I get a permission denied message if I do that.

dmesg > dmesg.txt
sudo cp dmesg.txt /boot/

gregeric wrote:

kutuup wrote:I get a permission denied message if I do that.

Same here when I tried it - I'm sure someone will chime in as to why. Instead,

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dmesg > dmesg.txt
sudo cp dmesg.txt /boot/

Now attach each of those txt files in your reply.

Don't give up, we are bound to get one of your adapters going...

fruitoftheloom wrote:poppycock

gregeric wrote:

fruitoftheloom wrote:poppycock

If you took the trouble to read the thread it's a Pi Zero.

kutuup wrote:There seems to be a message at timing 2.957622 stating insufficient power to use a device during the initialization of the USB hub.

That would explain why the device isn't working if it is the WiFi adapter that there isn't enough power for, but it still leaves a question mark over why the drivers and firmware are not installing correctly.

kutuup wrote:There seems to be a message at timing 2.957622 stating insufficient power to use a device during the initialization of the USB hub.

That would explain why the device isn't working if it is the WiFi adapter that there isn't enough power for, but it still leaves a question mark over why the drivers and firmware are not installing correctly.

What would you suggest from here?

kutuup wrote:That doesn't exactly help. I'm not looking to buy another WiFi device that may or may not work. The problem is I can't get my apparently supported device working.

It's hardly helpful to respond to someone looking for help repairing their Ford by linking them to a website where they can buy an Audi.