Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => Corepure64 => Topic started by: Michnix on February 16, 2016, 02:39:23 AM

Title: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: Michnix on February 16, 2016, 02:39:23 AM
I work with Tinycore since 2014, it is very fast, lightweight and stable. Now I got a new Netbook, based on Bay Trail technology. I'm able to boot from USB stick over EFI and start the version CorePure64-6.4.1 (thanks to this Forum!). I've tried to get a connection over WLAN/BT - not possible, dmsg shows that the hardware is not present.
 
Inside is a Realtek rtl8723BS SDIO adapter for WLAN and BT, additional a SD-Microcard reader. I load some firmware (firmware-intel.tcz and firmware-libertas.tcz) without results.
Is there a way to get this WLAN card online?
Title: Re: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: curaga on February 16, 2016, 02:48:00 AM
Google says there is no driver for it in the Linux kernel yet. There's a third-party driver here:
https://github.com/hadess/rtl8723bs

That may require compiling your own kernel in addition to compiling it itself, as the page mentions kernel patches.
Title: Re: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: Michnix on February 16, 2016, 03:01:53 AM
Thank you for the fast answer curaga!
I never compiled a new kernel till now... this can take any time  ;)
But I post the results here.

Tips & Hints are welcome...
Title: Re: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: Michnix on February 19, 2016, 01:34:35 AM
Short update:

the driver needs kernel version 3.19 or higher. Version 3.18 can't be patched and 'make rtl8723bs-master' not possible. I've tried to use kernel 4.1. Kernel patches can be installed and the system boot up normal but get error from tc-config script that modprobe can't change directory?
Probably my fault, I'll try again next week. Some user/usergroups are changed in this kernel...
Title: Re: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: curaga on February 19, 2016, 02:47:31 AM
Why not move to 7.x? It comes with a 4.2 kernel.

The modprobe error means you didn't install the modules of that kernel properly.
Title: Re: WLAN rtl8723BS SDIO not detected?
Post by: Michnix on February 22, 2016, 01:15:24 AM
"...The modprobe error means you didn't install the modules of that kernel properly..." - yes, I forgot to update the modules in "/lib/modules/..." in the gz file. Thank you for the hint! Running now fine with kernel 4.4.1, I learned many things about Linux boot and it was a lot stuff to read.

I want to test it further with kernel 4.2 because some tcz files needs to be changed if there used wrong filenames (eg. wireless-3.16.1-tinycore.tcz to wireless-4.4.1-tinycore.tcz). It's easier to use existing files  :)

Great thanks to curaga and to this forum, this case can be closed successful.