Wifi not working - I am running Linux MINT 20 Acer Aspire 5 A515-44-R41B RADEON

2»

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    >>>ok,  I have the data  from larry world>>> yip>>>

    Sorry, I have no clue as to what "yip" means? I think you should install hardinfo  system profiler & benchmark from Mint software manager's database. Then post a screenshot of hardinfo status results for the pcie QCA6174 wireless network controller card.  The card may need to be re-seated in its m.2 socket because I don't think it's getting full power.


    Jack E/NJ

  • JackStarz
    JackStarz Member Posts: 52 Troubleshooter

    this is the only  data  I see in hardinfo..  does that help?   
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    edited December 2021
    >>>I installed mint via LAN..>>>

    Just do it again from a stick. It should  be fine. Disconnect the LAN. The stick method should automatically load the wifi by default without a LAN. If you had the LAN connected, it may not load wifi.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JackStarz
    JackStarz Member Posts: 52 Troubleshooter
    JackE said:
    >>>I installed mint via LAN..>>>

    I put  notes on this install in the mint thred.  Also  you were talking to me last year when I was solving video issues..  the answer had 2 big pieces-  1  I input a bunch of ram which solved a lot of things  2 .  I installed a USB - HDMI video converter to support an extra monitor -  this  involved kernel change as well as a lot of config edits,  some of them for the vid  and  then some to get the new kernel  operating smoothly..  So i am  going to  do a lot of checking before I just reinstall as I would imagine it undoes all that work  ya??  tricky ..    thanks for helping  me with my tek adventure.  :))
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Don't try overthink this. Just disconnect the LAN. Then boot to the Mint installation stick. And let it do it's thing. The Mint installation process should not be having problems detecting and then activating your A515-44's wifi hardware that it needs to properly complete the installation process. You should not be having this many problems with this particular model including whatever video output issues that you apparently had before.

    Since you seem very reluctant to change your current setup --- which seems to be working for you except for the wifi problem --- let me suggest that simply remove your current boot drive for safe keeping. Then buy a new drive to install Mint as above to see if you can get eveything working properly. New drives with huge capacities are super cheap these days. I suggest one of the WesternDigital blue series. The 1TB drives seem to be the best deals now for well under a $100 for both 2.5" SSDs and NVME cards.

     

    Jack E/NJ

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Might work. But it's out of stock where you are.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JackStarz
    JackStarz Member Posts: 52 Troubleshooter
    Hay man,  how  do you   feel about these spring loaded mini lan jacks on these Aspires??  I go through hell with mine..  like  always connectivity  issue at the jack..  not  like internal  lan  problem,  seems like it doesnt  seat as firmly as it should..  just wonderin
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    The router must be very close to the wifi dongles that don't have rubber ducks. Better to simply replace the internal QualComm QCA6174 m.2 card with a garden variety Intel m.2 wifi/BT m.2 card. Internal cards are super cheap nowadays too.

    Jack E/NJ

  • JackStarz
    JackStarz Member Posts: 52 Troubleshooter
    I see..   I wonder what would happen if I just reseated the thing...   I also  wonder  if  just waiting for the next  important mint update  will just instll the video  processor..  and the wifi ..  not wanting to reinstall is really  about the video processor  which took  me days to work the bug out of.  can I check support for  a  piece of harware in a new mint distro??   QGEEM  3501  -----     

     and  I meant  previously  that  my LAN cable  jack is a constant  headache on this thing.  doesnt  stay  seated properly.  I am   using a a lan  cable  dongle  right now bc  it  gave me so many problems  last few days..  it  is too finicky and then  takes along time to re-establish  data flow...

    merry  christmas if  you celebrate  or whatever you   do.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    >>>I wonder what would happen if I just reseated the thing.>>>

    Sounds like a good idea to me!!


    >>>merry  christmas if  you celebrate  or whatever you  do.>>>

    Thanks Jack! And the same to you too. Or whatever you do! 8^)

    Jack E/NJ

  • JackStarz
    JackStarz Member Posts: 52 Troubleshooter
    Answer ✓
    In the end I think this was a Kernel issue. I rebuilt the OS as 20.3 using 5.13 -30 .. The Display link issue is better supported with this kernel also.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Congrats on your success! Thanks for reporting back. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ