G62 Notebook and Ubuntu Linux

[kirSeNN]

I installed Ubuntu 10.10 on my G62 450er laptop. But I can't use it because wi-fi card doesn't work.

'ifconfig' shows only two interfaces 'eth0' and 'lo'. Also 'lspci' gives the name of installed card - 'Ralink 5390'.

I have downloaded official drivers from www.ralinktech.com but I can't install it and I can't find any manual. I have no experience in installing drivers from source I can do using the 'deb' packages. Here (on hp.com) i can't find any drivers in the 'support & drivers' section for my card.

I can't use internet without wi-fi (i'm writing this post in windows).

Anybody can help me? Thank you.

[Alaska99801 · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but HP will not support your product because they did not sell you a notebook with Ubuntu in it,  that is why there are no Linux drivers in the site. 

You are going to have to go the Ubuntu forums and find help there.  I have tried Linux in different versions and I find that I always have problems with wireless or something else.  To me it crashes more than what I care for.

A reminder for you.  You know how most Linux forums will tell you that you will not need any antivirus software, etc., because according to them Linux is so secure.  Well, look at what is happening on the phone side, where Linux has a good market share, with phones running Android.  There have been quite a few cases of viruses and malware attacking Linux there.  Remember, all that Linux security is security by obscurity.

So when you get Ubuntu running, don't forget to download security software for Linux also.

[pepe999]

You know how most Linux forums will tell you that you will not need any antivirus software, etc., because according to them Linux is so secure.  Well, look at what is happening on the phone side, where Linux has a good market share, with phones running Android.  There have been quite a few cases of viruses and malware attacking Linux there.

You probably have no idea why there are problems with malware on the android phones. BFUs install unofficial and unsupported software from unofficial sources. Linux is secure because most of the software is on the protected software source servers. You also have to enter your user or root password when installing any kind of software so you install the malware yourself. I don't know how android works but I'm sure if you use these phones with inteligence, you shouldn't have a problem..:)

I wouldn't trust a phone with android myself. I don't know who has installed the system, who has access into it and I'm pretty sure that Google has access to every single phone with android..

[vandamme]

You marked this thread "solved", is that true? I just got a G62-340US and the wifi works great off the Ubuntu 10.10 live CD (haven't fully installed yet). I'll check out the card tonite & see if it's the same as yours.

[kirSeNN]

Unfortunately it isn't true. I have not soved this problem. I think to buy another brand due to HP Linux 'support'.

[vandamme]

Hmmm, I checked out your model and as far as I can tell (I can't read Russian!) it's the same as mine except you have an Intel chip and the RA wifi card. I have an Atheros, and it worked fine. I downloaded the RA driver just to see what it was like. I'm not sure how to install it, though. Usually I just click on a file and it installs itself. However, I would go to the Ubuntu repository and search for a driver there first. Also, see if your wifi light (white) is on, on the function key.

[pepe999]

---

@kirSeNN wrote:

Unfortunately it isn't true. I have not soved this problem. I think to buy another brand due to HP Linux 'support'.

---

http://ubuntulinux.co.in/blog/ubuntu/wifi-card-ralink-5390-configuration-in-ubuntu-10-10-64-bit/

[kirSeNN]

Previously i had HP compaq-615 with atheros chip and it works great on ubuntu! But now with ralink i have some trouble. I downloaded drivers from the official ralink web site, i have compiled and installed it (instruction was finded at ubuntu forums). Wi-fi works and all seem to be wonderful. BUT it isn't so good for me.

1.The connection loose randomly. To connect again i have to press Fn+F12 twice!

2. When my ubuntu is booting up the chip is turned off by default (red light on wi-fi function key) and i have to press Fn+F12 once.

http://ubuntulinux.co.in/blog/ubuntu/wifi-card-ralink-5390-configuration-in-ubuntu-10-10-64-bit/

This howto i read. It works. See post.

[silvone67]

Hi,

It's a problem with Ralink wifi cards in linux and windows too. I had a Ralink rt3090 and it was randomly disconnected in both OS (linux and windows). So I changed the wifi card with a Broacom 4313 combo card. First download the maintenance manual for your notebook and find out what other wifi cards are compatible for your notebook and change the Ralink card. Ralink has to work another 10 years to manufacture a good wifi card. I don't know how HP could install such bad components.

[vandamme]

Well, I got the laptop for $380 and everything works great with Ubuntu 11.04/Unity, but it scares me what's inside.

BTW I dual boot Win7. Well, I have the capability, anyhow:robotwink:. I had to delete the recovery partition  to make room because HP uses all 4 available partitions. (I made backup DVD's first.) Then I could make my logical partitions. I also can boot Mint and Bodhi.