Template:Laptop Networking

Test wired internet connection

You'll notice that basiccheck also contains a minimal networking test. The following includes more comprehensive instructions and troubleshooting steps.
☐ Plug in an ethernet cable from the workbench.

• Watch the desktop task bar, top right corner. You should see a ↑↓ symbol appear.

☐ Open a web browser (Xubuntu 12.04 uses Firefox by default) and navigate to a website, such as llama.freegeek.org.
Troubleshooting tips

• Try a different cable. The workbench ethernet cables see a lot of use.
• Check to see if the up lights are flashing on the LAN port. No lights may indicate a failed port.
• Open a terminal and run ifconfig. Have your instructor help you interpret the results.

Requirements
☐ All laptops given away or sold from Free Geek must have a working wired internet connection. Some laptops may accept an external PCMCIA card if the internal port has failed, consult with your instructor.

Test wireless internet connection

☐ Test wireless

• Disconnect the ethernet cable.
  
• Click on the WiFi symbol to select the FreeGeek network.
  
• If all goes well, you should be able to simply browse to a website with Firefox. Pick a different site than you used for the wired networking test, such as http://wiki.freegeek.org.
  

☐ If you arrive at your website successfully, continue to the next build step.

• If you run into issues, reference the Wireless Troubleshooting Guide (A-6) in the binder Appendix.

Requirements
All laptops sold or given away from Free Geek must be able to browse to a website wirelessly. In some cases, installing an external PCMCIA wireless card is ok, check with your instructor.