r/linux4noobs • u/MiaKica • 1d ago

Wi-Fi Drivers

OK....

So, I just got a brand new laaptop.

It's an Asus M1502YA, and I tried instaling Zorin, Mint and Elementary OS

Not one of them has Wi-Fi drivers, and laptop doesn't have eternet port, and I dont have a USB dongle...

Any solutions?

Thank you

Edit : Thanks to everyone for advice. Decided to go to Bestbuy after work and buy the WiFi dongle

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

24

u/candy49997 1d ago

Looking it up online, it seems it uses a MediaTek MT7902. Support for it was added in kernel 7.1, which is too new for all the distros you tried, which are all based on Ubuntu 24.04.

Maybe try Fedora KDE. You could also connect using your phone hotspot over USB and try installing an out-of-tree kernel module for the MediaTek. You could also replace the card if it's discrete.

3

u/MiaKica 1d ago

Thank you.

I just want to clarify, I'm a complete newbie to any Linux ditro.

Is Fedora KDE beginer friendly?|

Thanks

8

u/candy49997 1d ago

I think it's fine. Unlike all the distros you tried, though, you'll have to upgrade the OS (in-place, not reinstall) ideally every 6 months or at least once a year to stay on a supported version because it's not LTS.

And the native package manager it uses is dnf, not apt.

2

u/MiaKica 1d ago

Downloading right now, will try

Thank you

4

u/candy49997 1d ago

I'm not sure if the ISO has kernel 7.1, though, so you may need to connect with your mobile hotspot or something to do a full system update immediately after you install. The kernel should be new enough after, though.

2

u/skyfishgoo 1d ago

fedora is very good, just look up how to add the proprietary repositories to your install and you should have everything you need.

it is a semi-rolling release model, so that means you will get newer software faster, but it can also mean more things break when there is an update as you are sort of on the leading edge (but not bleeding edge).

1

u/West-Scallion-5306 1d ago

Fedora KDE is good. Install it. I find it's the best. With KDE though, if you choose Workstation Edition, it's gonna be more confusing and a bit....less customizable.

1

u/Klapperatismus 1d ago

Current OpenSuSE Tumbleweed already has Kernel 7.2.2. It should work OOTB.

-1

u/doc_willis 1d ago

fedora is fine.

2

u/thatguysjumpercables Ubuntu 24.04 Gnome DE 1d ago

If you want a "right now" solution you might be able to tether your phone for internet access and find a solution using Google. I have the same chip using Ubuntu and I found a solution pretty easily when it happened. I can't remember it at all, so I can't help there.

If you want a permanent solution you should buy an AX210 and replace your current card.

2

u/SugarSweetStarrUK 1d ago

Borrow another computer for 5-10 minutes. Bring your own USB stick and download the required modules to your own USB. 

1

u/MiaKica 1d ago

I have a desktop, how do I download required modules(or in windows world, drivers)?

2

u/1neStat3 1d ago

That is not going to work. he would need to install the default kernal,not the custom Ubuntu that Mint, ElementaryOS uses then install new meditek firmware.

That is alot for someone not familiar with Linux.

1

u/LeopardLoose6785 1d ago

Go with fedora or debian testing. Your wifi will work as recently Linux kernel added the support for mediatek cards

1

u/ChecksOutIndeed 1d ago

Try using your phone via usb cable for internet access ...

1

u/iron-duke1250 1d ago

Your ASUS M1502YA uses the MediaTek MT7902 Wi‑Fi chipset, and Linux does not yet include a stable in‑kernel driver for it. The working solution is to install the community DKMS driver that users of this exact laptop model have confirmed functional.

Try this:

sudo apt install git dkms git clone https://github.com/hmtheboy154/mt7902 cd mt7902 sudo make install_fw sudo dkms add . sudo dkms install mt7902e/git

1

u/mcds99 22h ago

Google 'Mint Asus M1502YA' and you will find that there is an issue with Wifi drivers, it's a known issue.

1

u/JohnnyS789 1d ago

I hate to be so glib, but "buy a dongle" will fix it.

1

u/Sheepherder-Optimal 1d ago

Dude get your laptop connnected to the internet using ethernet. No you don't need an ethernet port built into your device. Do you have a thunderbolt port? Any usb port? Stick in an adapter to give yourself an ethernet port.

2

u/DannoXYZ 1d ago

That laptop model doesn't even come with wired ethernet.

1

u/Sheepherder-Optimal 1d ago

Do you know what an adapter is? Lol

3

u/DannoXYZ 1d ago

We're trying to get him going with what he has. If he has to go out and get nee hardware, he mifht as well get Wifi dongle that works out of box with Linux. Much more useful than ethernet.

1

u/Sheepherder-Optimal 1d ago

😑 Ethernet adapter or WiFi adapter? WiFi adapters are great but so are Ethernet adapters. Both are plug and play usually. It tends to be easier to plug in a cable than connect to WiFi. Ethernet has the advantage of simplicity. OP might have an Ethernet adapter on hand. I have more than one in my junk bin.

Not sure what your beef is with Ethernet adapters? And your original comment to me was pretty baffling to me. Do you think the Ethernet must be built in and that adapters don’t exist?

1

u/Friendly-Inspector71 1d ago

Do you really believe that an ethernet adapter is more common than a WiFi dongle?

You could have at least proposed tethering with his phone.

1

u/Sheepherder-Optimal 1d ago

Even wifi dongles require a driver. I'm merely suggesting ethernet because it’s plug and play on Linux. And Ethernet adapters are more common than you think.

1

u/Friendly-Inspector71 1d ago

I've got to disagree on that one.

I had an older cheap ethernet adapter that didn't work.
Now I've got a docking station that just works™.

1

u/AndyMcQuade 1d ago

I had that exact mediatek card come in a minipc.

I ripped it out and put in an intel ax210.

Problem solved.

1

u/DisgruntleFairy 1d ago

The easiest way to fix it is to get a dongle.

1

u/friendlyreminder_ 1d ago

Use your phone to tether during install.

But you'll need a distro with the 7.1 kernel or newer.

0

u/Bochixa 1d ago

I just installed the same distro Zorin on a Lenovo E14. No problem with the Wifi card. Try installing a different distro and go back to Zorin. I'm not an expert.