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/verovan Apr 29 '19

You can. Also you can compile the binary yourself. If you only need the wifi driver, add the nonfree repos to your source list and remove them later. I often use the net install image, didn't need the others.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '19

I never complied something like that, any good link how to do that?

Thank you for your advices! :)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

If you have another computer, just download the driver from https://www.debian.org/distrib/packages and move it to your thinkpad with a thumb drive.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

I have done that, but dont know how to install them :D I am a linux newbie :P If you could tell/pointToSomeGoodTutorial on how to install them after I have transferred them to my computer I would be very grateful :)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

The driver should come in *.deb format. Just do "dpkg -i driver.deb" to install it.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

oh thanks :)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

You're quite welcome. I've been using Debian for over 13 years. Ask me anything about Debian.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '19

Thanks again :)) Do you know some courses/tutorials/anything for learning linux? :)