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I'm new to linux environment and I'm using both latest Ubuntu and Lubuntu on my systems. I learned pretty much cmd lines but not every function they have. For example I can modify grub files using nano modifier >sudo nano... So here's the thing. I have this USB WiFi Adapter TPLink WN727N which has a RT5370 chipset. I'm trying to install it and have found some good help at the link below. But I cant figure out what it means exactly. So if anyone can help translate it for amateur people like me! :) I specifically want to use Ralink Driver method and don't understand the line 4 of it. "4. now just make, make install, and register your module with modprobe" So how should I perform modprobe and to which directory address?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Device/Tenda_W311M

ifconfig from Lubuntu 14.04

eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:13:d4:4c:e0:5a  
      UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
      RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
      TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
      collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 
      RX bytes:0 (0.0 B)  TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)

lo        Link encap:Local Loopback  
      inet addr:127.0.0.1  Mask:255.0.0.0
      inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
      UP LOOPBACK RUNNING  MTU:65536  Metric:1
      RX packets:320 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
      TX packets:320 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
      collisions:0 txqueuelen:0 
      RX bytes:25472 (25.4 KB)  TX bytes:25472 (25.4 KB)

2 Answers 2

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try lsusb instead; ifconfig can only list interfaces, which have a driver. modprobe inserts the module into the current kernel... these commands need to be executed from within that directory: MediaTek RT5370 ... download & extract the archive, cd into the resulting directory ...then the instructions of the link provided should work. modinfo shows the kernel modules.

just a few years later ...

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From what I see your USB Wifi adapter should be working right after you plug it in. You only need to install the driver provided in the link if you are using Ubuntu 12.04 or older. So what Ubuntu version are you using? I guess because of beeing new to the linux environment your are at least running Ubuntu 13.04 or newer. Does your Ubuntu Distro recognize the Wifi adapter? Is it listet in the menu on the statusbar? What output does ifconfig give?

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  • On my laptop I have Ubuntu 14.04 and it has actually recognized my internal wifi card and working no problem. But I tested my USB wifi on this and still not working, disabled internal wifi card in bios and inserted usb one and not working.
    – user327113
    Sep 15, 2014 at 13:37
  • Thats mysterious because since Ubuntu 12.10 the driver should be in the kernel source. Could you provide a screenshot from the wifi menu in the statusbar with your USB wifi connceted?
    – Flatron
    Sep 15, 2014 at 13:42
  • I actually want this for my desktop which runs Lubuntu 14.04 and that doesnt support this usb wifi.
    – user327113
    Sep 15, 2014 at 13:48
  • for my laptop with UBUNTU
    – user327113
    Sep 15, 2014 at 13:49
  • oh I cant paste the results of if config here!
    – user327113
    Sep 15, 2014 at 13:50

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