Arch Linux

adammichael

Member

Registered: 2008-11-08

Posts: 2

Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

I'm looking to make a purchase on a 17" laptop.  I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there was complete support for wireless from Arch on a Dell Inspiron 17 (or 15 or even 13) as that will be the primary way I will be connecting.

Hohoho

Member

Registered: 2007-06-23

Posts: 222

Re: Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

If it's an Intel wifi card, then you'll have no problems at all, if its a Dell Wireless (Broadcom) card then you'll need to use ndiswrapper and the Windows drivers, but it works well too.

string

Member

Registered: 2008-11-03

Posts: 286

Re: Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

I have a 17" Dell Inspiron 6400 which has a Broadcom wireless card. I can get the card working rather quickly with the b43 kernel driver + b43-fwcutter.

pjjanak

Member

Registered: 2008-08-17

Posts: 128

Re: Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

Yeah, you have a few options for broadcom's and Linux. First is ndiswrapper, second is b43, and last is bcm43xx (replaced by b43). For me, personally, ndiswrapper has given the best results in consistency and strength of connections. And ndiswrapper isn't hard toset up at all, so don't let that daunt you!

Peter

timetrap

Member

From: Here and There

Registered: 2008-06-05

Posts: 342

Website

Re: Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

I would disagree with you on that pjjank, The b43 drivers are rock solid on my BCM4311 . . .

---

For a few hours a month, you can adopt an orphaned package

Interesting .... ಠ_ರೃ

BKJ

Member

Registered: 2008-09-19

Posts: 71

Re: Dell Laptop (Inspiron 17")

I have a dell inspiron 1720 and a m1330.  Wireless works perfectly.  Both came with a intel 3945 but I have since replaced them with the intel 4965.  The built in wireless cards can always be replaced if you opt for a broadcom and it doesn't work out for you.