[plug] Need some help

[Peter Whattler]

Ivan,

Thanks for the suggestion, believe it or not, i did actually find this 
as a suggestion out in the world beyond.    I did actually go out and 
buy one BUT i didn't know that i to force the BIOS to ignore the inbuilt 
Broadcom device

Knowing this i'm then left with the possibility that it might solve my 
problem.   it definitely sounds reasonable!    I just have to workout 
how to tell the BIOS to do what i want.    This kinda reinforces why i 
am always anxious because i have never really had to work at this level.

Plug & Play had its troubled origins but you cannot deny that it is 
pretty impressive these days

thanks again for your suggestion

Peter



On 28/08/2026 15:10, Ivan Fetwadjieff via plug wrote:
> You could just buy a new wifi dongle from PLE computers for $9.00 and 
> turn off the other one in the bios. This one works with Linux.
>
> https://www.ple.com.au/products/649941/simplecom-nw382-mini-wireless-n-usb-wifi-adapter
>
>
> On Fri, 28 Aug 2026, at 12:44 PM, Ivan Fetwadjieff via plug wrote:
>> I have had some success with MXLinux when Mint had problems with 
>> drivers on older computers.
>>
>> Maybe try booting your laptop off a usb memory stick with MXLinux and 
>> see if the wifi works for you.
>> https://mxlinux.org/
>>
>> https://mxlinux.org/wiki/hardware/broadcom-wireless-2/
>>
>>
>> Also, don't be intimidated using the terminal. With most help 
>> instructions, you can just copy and paste.
>> The hard part is finding right solution for your situation.
>> This link may work for your Mint depending on what Broadcom wifi you 
>> have.
>>
>> https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=449587
>>
>> Cheers Ivan
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, 28 Aug 2026, at 10:34 AM, Peter Whattler via plug wrote:
>>> Gentlemen
>>>
>>> i am trying to get away from Microsoft
>>>
>>> I started with a 2014 Sony Vaio SVF15A1C5E.   I removed the hard drive
>>> and put in a 2TB SSD.   I then installed LinuxMint a couple of 
>>> months ago.
>>>
>>> The machine definitely has a new lease of life - it boots in no 
>>> time, so
>>> i'm Impressed - However, the problem I have is that LinuxMint is not
>>> finding the WIFI
>>>
>>> This seems to be a known issue with Broadcom
>>>
>>> Every fix i find seems to require that i go into Terminal - - I find
>>> this a really scary solution   I haven't messed with the command line
>>> since forever, I'm a windows guy who just expects to work with GUI 
>>> solutions
>>>
>>> Can anyone point me toward a place where i can get some help
>>>
>>> I live in the vicinity of Joondalup
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
>>> https://lists.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug 
>>> <https://lists.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug>
>>> Committee e-mail: committee at plug.org.au
>>> PLUG Membership: http://www.plug.org.au/membership
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
>> https://lists.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
>> Committee e-mail: committee at plug.org.au
>> PLUG Membership: http://www.plug.org.au/membership
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PLUG discussion list:plug at plug.org.au
> https://lists.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
> Committee e-mail:committee at plug.org.au
> PLUG Membership:http://www.plug.org.au/membership
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.plug.org.au/pipermail/plug/attachments/20260828/6309fd8b/attachment.htm>