No wi-fi connection with Netis WF-2116

[Randymanme]

drivers and guides here http://www.netis-systems.com/download.asp?pdtid=142

Hello,


I went to the link and got WF-2116_Linux.rar, but I have no idea how to install it. I have a hard enough time trying to install tar balls as it is (sometimes I do get them installed more or less by accident). But this tar ball is a situation where there is at least one tar ball inside of a tar ball. Will someone take me by the hand and direct me step-by-step what to do?


My most viable options are a.) return this adapter to the retailer and exchange it for one that does work with Linux right out of the box, or b.) take my computer and adapter to the Build-Your-Own-Computer section of the store, and ask someone there to install WF-2116_Linux.rar and while they're at it, show me how to do it also.


I've been hanging around various Linux forums too long to not remedy this situation at my own keyboard. Even if I'm getting the directions from someone else.


I downloaded the .rar package with Windows and tried to install it with Precise (after using Precise to fetch it out of Windows), Precise won't open a .rar out of the box. I've tried opening and extracting it with Windows and then fetching the folders with Precise, but I still wasn't able to compile.


I could go on and on about a couple of other things I've tried (as a result of googling).


I've done a lot of googling trying to arrive at a solution to my problem. Oh! I need to tell you what the problem is. About a week ago, I purchased a Netis WF-2116 wi-fi adapter. But it only connects Windows, not Linux. [Actually, it initially (even using the installation disk) just barely connected Windows (i.e. just the first and smallest bar of the wireless icon).


Since I only use Windows when I really have to (like now), I've tried different combinations of Windows installations. The one I like best is to have Windows as a guest on Virtualbox with Linux as host. I had hoped that I could connect a Windows guest to the wi-fi adapter, but that didn't work.


Another combination of Linux-Windows I've tried is Linux as guest on virtual machine with Windows hosting. So I just happened to have an Ubuntu (Natty) derivative (Ultimate Edition Oz Unity 2 Onyx 64) as a guest on Virtualbox for occasions when I have to use Windows. So I fired up Virtualbox and Onyx 64. Lo and behold, Onyx 64 connected to the wi-fi network – 100 percent. And not only that, but when Onyx 64 came in !00 percent, Windows also shot up to 100 percent.


I've floundered around google and landed at https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source...ta/3.2.0.18.18, and “linux-backports-modules-cw-3.3-precise-generic” binary package in Ubuntu Precise amd64, and linux-backports-modules-cw-3.3-precise-generic_3.2.0.23.25_amd64.deb to no avail.


At one point I made a liveUSB with Startup Disk Creator of Ultimate Edition 3.2 (with persistence file). I found by google, “new fedora virtio-win-0.1-22.iso drive (february 2012),” at http://alt.fedoraproject.org/pub/alt...st/images/bin/ (courtesy of spirit
Senior Member, at http://forum.proxmox.com/threads/854...bruary-2012%29). Downloaded, and burned it to a CD, put the CD in the DVD drive after booting Ultimate Edition 3.2 on liveUSB, so that I could present some windows wireless drivers to the Windows Wireless Drivers app for installation.


Well there appears to be at least hundreds, if not thousands, of them. And I have no clue what to select.
I'll be googling that while awaiting a hoped for response.


Any and all help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[chili555]

Wow. There is a whole lot of information there! The first thing is that the file extracts to a driver for rtl8192cu devices. In Ubuntu 12.04, it is already covered by installed drivers. Before we turn ourselves inside out compiling what we probably already have, let's see what exactly you have. Please insert the device and run and post:

lsusb
lsmod | grep 8192
dmesg | grep 8192

The pipe symbol | is on the right side of my US keyboard on the same key with \. Thanks.

[Randymanme]

Thank you very much.

randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 046d:08c9 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam Ultra Vision
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0bda:8178 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 1a40:0201 Terminus Technology Inc. Hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 045e:0040 Microsoft Corp. Wheel Mouse Optical
randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ lsmod | grep 8192
rtl8192cu 103297 0
rtl8192c_common 75767 1 rtl8192cu
rtlwifi 111202 1 rtl8192cu
mac80211 506816 3 rtl8192cu,rtl8192c_common,rtlwifi
randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ dmesg | grep 8192
[ 0.000000] PERCPU: Embedded 28 pages/cpu @ffff88019fc00000 s83072 r8192 d23424 u524288
[ 0.000000] pcpu-alloc: s83072 r8192 d23424 u524288 alloc=1*2097152
[ 24.378741] rtl8192cu: MAC address: 08:10:76:2c:57:f9
[ 24.378747] rtl8192cu: Board Type 0
[ 24.397116] usbcore: registered new interface driver rtl8192cu
[ 25.867255] rtl8192cu: MAC auto ON okay!
[ 25.901150] rtl8192cu: Tx queue select: 0x05
[ 25.902292] rtl8192c_common: Loading firmware file rtlwifi/rtl8192cufw.bin
[ 25.970078] vesafb: mode is 2048x1536x32, linelength=8192, pages=0
randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$

[chili555]

ID 0bda:8178 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

And, as we expected:

$ lsmod | grep 8192
rtl8192cu 103297 0
rtl8192c_common 75767 1 rtl8192cu
rtlwifi 111202 1 rtl8192cu
mac80211 506816 3 rtl8192cu,rtl8192c_common,rtlwifi

And it finds and loads the needed firmware:

rtl8192c_common: Loading firmware file rtlwifi/rtl8192cufw.bin

And does it create a wireless interface, wlan0 perhaps?

iwconfig

Does it scan and see your network?

sudo iwlist wlan0 scan

When you click the Network Manager icon, does it see your network? Does it connect?

[Randymanme]

And, as we expected:And it finds and loads the needed firmware:And does it create a wireless interface, wlan0 perhaps?

iwconfig

Does it scan and see your network?

sudo iwlist wlan0 scan

When you click the Network Manager icon, does it see your network? Does it connect?

Thank You.

randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ iwconfig
wlan2 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSIDff/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr=2347 B Fragment thrff
Power Managementff

lo no wireless extensions.



eth0 no wireless extensions.



randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ sudo iwlist wlan0 scan
[sudo] password for randymanme:
wlan0 Interface doesn't support scanning.



randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$
---------------------------------------------------------------------

When I click on the network manager? One of three things happen depending on which OS I'm on. With Windows, the indicator light blinks (which I take to mean that it's connected and transmitting). With Precise, the light comes on, but does not blink (which I take to mean that a connection is almost there, but not quite -- so, yes, it does see the network).

With Linux Mint Debian Edition 201204, the network manager gui does list the three neartest and strongest wi-fi networks, but the indicator light never comes on (I interpret that to mean that it sees the networks, but cannot possibly connect so no effort made). With Pinguy 12.04 (as well as with several live CDs I've tried, like Linux Mint 13 Maya Xfce, Sabyon 5.3, OpenSuse 12.1 Gnome, etc.), the indicator light doesn't come on nor does it list any networks -- completely dead.

Whatever day it was, earlier this week, when the storm tore through Central Ohio (where I'm at) and 11 other states, it tore up a lot of property, trees, fixtures, et al. Tens of thousands of persons are still without electric power here. Internet sevices for me and most folks in my area just got back on yesterday. But during the four days it was out, I could connect to several networks, as they were (more like the router signals), but without actually connecting to a DNS server. Empty signals.

So what I describe happens when I click on the network manager icons happened during the internet outage as well, except for one instance: a Linux Mint 13 Maya Cinnamon live CD did connect. But hasn't again.

Thank you for your responses and for the information along with them.

[chili555]

randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ iwconfig
wlan2 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSIDff/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr=2347 B Fragment thrff
Power Managementff

Errmm, let's see:

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

What it does in Windows is unimportant; we're trying to fix Ubuntu.

(I interpret that to mean that it sees the networks, but cannot possibly connect so no effort made).

You will not know until you make the effort. I interpret the lack of a light as some drivers implement the light correctly and some don't. Some drivers light the light, some blink the light and some do nothing. If you see networks, click yours and see if you are challenged for an encryption password.

If you are attempting to connect with Ubuntu, let's concentrate our efforts and diagnostics there, please.

It is unusual to have wlan2 instead of wlan0. I assume you've had or have other wireless devices present. Yes?

With Precise, the light comes on, but does not blink (which I take to mean that a connection is almost there, but not quite -- so, yes, it does see the network).

Click on it and connect, please!!!

[Randymanme]

Errmm, let's see:

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

What it does in Windows is unimportant; we're trying to fix Ubuntu.

Sorry about that. I was assuming that that extraneous info might provide some insight to someone who might be familiar with more than one (or all) the OSes I commented on. I recall reading a thread in which both Pinguy and Clem posted. Texstar responded to one of my threads in another forum. I never know who all might be browsing in their spare time looking to help some noobie like me. But, of course, since this is Ubuntu Forums, I'll concentrate on Precise.

. . . the network manager gui does list the three neartest and strongest wi-fi networks, but the indicator light never comes on (I interpret that to mean that it sees the networks, but cannot possibly connect so no effort made)

Errmm, let's see:

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

You will not know until you make the effort.

Sorry about the way I phrased that. I was talking about the network manager gui “not responding” as programmed – not to myself. With Precise, when I click on the network manager icon, a box pops out with nine headings, some grayed-out and some not grayed-out. Of the nine selections, the first two, “Wired Network disconnected” and “Wireless Networks disconnected” are grayed-out as is the eighth one. By " . . . no effort made . . .," I mean that when the box pops out, “Wired Network disconnected” may be the only of the headings not grayed-out, with everything pertaining to wireless disabled.


Since I believe in the probability of the evolution of silicon-based intelligence, I sometimes allude to computers or apps as though they might have some form of sentience. [Wouldn't it be nice to have a Cameron Phillips?]

Errmm, let's see:

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

I interpret the lack of a light as some drivers implement the light correctly and some don't. Some drivers light the light, some blink the light and some do nothing.

Thank you for that information (in response to some of my extraneous information). It'll come to my mind in some other context, and may be useful.

Errmm, let's see:

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

It is unusual to have wlan2 instead of wlan0. I assume you've had or have other wireless devices present

Yes; this Netis is the third wireless adapter I've had in as many weeks. First, I bought a Tenda 322U with a data transfer rate of 300MB/s. It worked with all my OSes right out of the box; but never at more than 35 percent signal strength. And the signal would sometimes fade in and out – which wasn't good for downloading large files, like, say, updating a fresh install.


So I perused the retailer's inventory online and decided on what I wanted to get to replace the Tenda. But when I got to the store, what I wanted to get wasn't actually on the shelf. So I settled for something else for a little more money that had an antenna. I don't remember the exact name, but I think it was a Hawking, 150 MB/s. So when I got home, the antenna was missing out of the box. I plugged it in anyway and ran the software, but nothing happened.


I surmised that I need to have an adapter with at least 300 MB/s; probably and preferably a PCI card at 450 MB/s – which I was planning on getting when I returned the Hawking. To tell you the truth, outside of the facts that this one has a data transfer rate of 300 MB/s and was $10 cheaper, I bought this one instead because it looks more capable than the previous ones I've had. (Yes, I know about deceptive looks).

Errmm,If you see networks, click yours and see if you are challenged for an encryption password.. Yes? Click on it and connect, please!!!

Hhhmmm, I suppose this is enlightening in a backhanded sort of way -- to find out how dumb I must look on these here forums.


Of course I click on my network and give the encryption password and click on “connect.” How else would I have connected with Black Opal on Virtualbox, or have connected to wi-fi networks with four other Linux OSes with the Tenda adapter? And when I click on the network manager icon and then click on the 4th heading, “Create New Wireless Network . . .,” I type in the SSID, then click the Wireless Security tab and type in the encryption phrase. Then when I click the “Create” button, the network manager icon shows movement to (I've always assumed) indicate that there's computing going on.


Where I'm living, this is an apartment complex with free wi-fi (there is a router in each building). Each building is a network; the name of the apartment complex coupled with each building's chronological number is each network's SSID. The street coupled with the address of the building is the encryption phrase.


So I've connected with several other buildings in addition to my own, both with my computer as well as with my Android. And with my Android, I've connected with business networks all down the street. And, yes, with the Android, you do have to touch the “connect” button before the smartphone will connect to a wi-fi network.


Trust me on this: not clicking my network and then not clicking the connect button are definitely not the problems here.


But, still, thank you for your trouble-shooting, brain-storming, and suggestions. Thank You for your time and consideration. You're appreciated – even if you do think I'm too dumb to click “connect.”


Cheers

[Randymanme]

Good morning,

I apologize for getting a little short with you over the
click-on-the-button suggestion.

I just read http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2011852&page=4 Wireless connection problems.

From here on out, looking for a button to click or physically push will always be my first choice/suggestion.


It is not, however, a valid suggestion for this thread. Nothing has changed.

I wonder how difficult it would be to make a "fix-it" widget sort of like the Gnome 2 or Mate "Force Quit" menu applet?


Thank you very much.

[chili555]

(I interpret that to mean that it sees the networks, but cannot possibly connect so no effort made).

I apologize if I misinterpreted your statement. "No effort made" seemed to suggest that you didn't click the icon and see any networks. Sorry if I misinterpreted what you said. It is very hard to correctly guess what level of Linux expertise, particularly in networking, that a new poster has.

sudo iwlist wlan2 scan

Does it scan?

It is not, however, a valid suggestion for this thread.

I don't believe I ever suggested it was.

“Create New Wireless Network . . .,” I type in the SSID, then click the Wireless Security tab and type in the encryption phrase. Then when I click the “Create” button, the network manager icon shows movement to (I've always assumed) indicate that there's computing going on.

That is the procedure to create an ad hoc computer-to-computer network. I doubt that's what you intend. Please remove all of those entries and make sure the mode is set to Infrastructure. Please see attached. Restart Network Manager:

sudo service network-manager restart

Now does NM see your network?

[Randymanme]

Hello,

Your perseverance and consideration are much appreciated by me. Thank you.

Does it scan?


randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ sudo iwlist wlan2 scan
[sudo] password for randymanme:
wlan2 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:13:F7:FA:13:E8
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=59/70 Signal level=-51 dBm
Encryption keyn
ESSID:"columbuspark38"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 22 Mb/s
Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s
36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=0000003fb40c9aca
Extra: Last beacon: 112ms ago
IE: Unknown: 000E636F6C756D6275737061726B3338
IE: Unknown: 010582848B962C
IE: Unknown: 03010B
IE: Unknown: 2A0103
IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
Group Cipher : CCMP
Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
IE: Unknown: 32080C1218243048606C


randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in post #6, you mention:
Quote:
Originally Posted by chili555
Errmm, let's see: Code:
sudo iwlist wlan2 scan
It is unusual to have wlan2 instead of wlan0. I assume you've had or have other wireless devices present



Should I change that from wlan2 to wlan0? Would that matter or change anything?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
“Create New Wireless Network . . .,” I type in the SSID, then click the Wireless Security tab and type in the encryption phrase. Then when I click the “Create” button, the network manager icon shows movement to (I've always assumed) indicate that there's computing going on.
That is the procedure to create an ad hoc computer-to-computer network. I doubt that's what you intend. Please remove all of those entries and make sure the mode is set to Infrastructure. Please see attached. Restart Network Manager: Code:
sudo service network-manager restart
Now does NM see your network?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$ sudo service network-manager restart
network-manager stop/waiting
network-manager start/running, process 2635
randymanme@randymanme-EL1358G:~$


Yes it sees my network and some others. I clicked the “create new network” heading and made it a point to choose “infrastructure.” And the network icon showed that it connected. But it wasn't connected. Update manager, Synaptic Package Manager, sudo apt-get update, and Firefox all failed.

Nevertheless, we're making progress. Thanks.