Wireless quit after update (missing files)

[johndepere]

Hello, I have recently installed  pclinusos2011(kde) on and old laptop of mine (Compaq Evo n620c) and every thing was working great, it detected my wireless card and seamlessly got me on the internet. Yesterday I decided to update my system with Synaptic and after the update finished I rebooted and attempted to get on the internet but got an error stating  ''the following component is missing /lib/firmware/isl3886pci"  which relates to my wireless card, the error also gave me a download link to the missing file
which I have downloaded but I do not know what to do with it,where to put it or how to install it.The download link offered some install help but this was way over my head. My wireless card does show up in the network center but no network is listed.. Assuming this is my problem could someone offer me some simple advice on how to get this working,  Thanks in advance for any help given.

[russell.eberhardt]

What kernel are you using?   Type uname -a in a terminal to find out.

You could try running the latest LiveCD; PCLinuxOS KDE 2012.8.  



Russell

[johndepere]

Russell,  Thanks for your reply. I am using kernel 2.6.38.8 PCLOS3. I was about to just re-install my 2011 version and just not up-date it, although I realize this is not the optimal solution I no that it does work with with my wireless card.  If you think that the 2012.8 version might possible work I will burn one when time permits and give it a try.  Thanks again for your help.   John

[russell.eberhardt]

In general it's best to install the latest version rather than just keep updating an old one.  Version 2012.12 has just been released.

However, things you could try before doing that:

1. Just copy the file you downloaded into the /lib/firmware directory.  You will need to do this as root the easiest way being to use Konquerer - Super User Mode.  Then reboot and try your wireless again.

2. Try installing the latest kernel, 3.2.18-pclos2.  Just install from Synaptic and reboot.  Be patient with the reboot as it takes some time to build the new kernel.  Grub will give you the option of using the new or the old kernel, defaulting to the latest one.

Good luck
Russell