[plug] Need some help

[privatemailbox at fastmail.com.au]

I would try out your new wifi dongle without touching the bios settings. It may just work as the inbuilt one is not working.

On Fri, 28 Aug 2026, at 7:13 PM, Peter Whattler wrote:
> 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
>>>> 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
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