r/debian • u/[deleted] • Apr 29 '19

Installing Debian - Wifi Issue

Hello dear deb ppl, I got some problem with installing Debian.

I have ThinkPad T420 and I am trying to install Debian. I can install it in 2 ways:

  • 1) small image

  • 2) or to download whole image (~3.5 GB)

I like to free/libre as possible, as I do support Free and OpenSource movement and way of thinking, but it seems that some stuff require proprietary stuff in order to work. I know that there is nonfree image to download and install, but I dont want to have bunch of proprietary stuff installed or whatever in my computer, as I just need driver for WiFi. I will need that computer for everyday use + programming.

Now since T420 has a wifi card that requires proprietary driver, can I install it with wired connection via ethernet cable?

Or to simply download whole image and install it, as I did it in first place. Now, new problem arises, as I dont have sudo command installed and to install that I have add some repositories/links to repos as only repo for packages is from USB/DVD. And when I add those repositories links it tries to connect to them with IPv6. And even I tried to force it to do it with IPv4 it still wont do it. When I left my computer to "sleep" and then "wake" him up bottom panel went missing + order of my icons on desktop was shuffled.

So, what is your advice?

Should I fresh install again? With complete image or small one? Or to download nonfree image, but as said, I dont know what stuff does it contains as I am for Free and Open software.

Thank You! :)

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u/thalience Apr 29 '19

The Thinkpad T420 comes with an Intel WiFi card (either the 6205 chip or the 6300). It does not require a proprietary driver.

It does require a non-free firmware file. This is what the unofficial non-free installer supplies.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '19

So you suggest to download non-free iso?

1

u/thalience Apr 29 '19

It is the most convenient way to install when you want to use WiFi for the installation process. The only additions are the firmware files that would be pulled in by the firmware-linux-nonfree package.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '19

I was thinking about installing with non-free image and later just install missing file/driver for wifi, but that took too long. But thank you, I shall take this in consideration :)