During an unrelated tech visit to Josh, he also helped me troubleshoot the
laptop. Josh did a yum update of the F8 kernel and wireless components
through the hardwire (why do I not remember that basic step so often?),
and the machine instantly found the card and loaded a working module.
Problem one solved (F8 FWIW).
However, "iwlist scan" only found Josh's access point approx 15 feet away
and a weak signal at that. Josh said he scans 4 or 5 neighbors easily. So
a bad antenna is definitely still on the table.
After discussion of probabilities, P&L support contracts ("break this seal
and we kill you and smash the machine"), etc, we agreed that the following
course of action makes sense.
1. I will drop the bottom and physically wiggle and pressure the snap
connection to the card. Josh has had the experience of buying a laptop
where this wasn't properly snapped on, and it acted just like this. He
says that the correct snap is unmistakable, and takes more force than one
thinks.
2. If that doesn't solve it, I will not attempt to open the screen to see
if the antenna has fallen down. The warranty contract is really about
components like the DVD, screen, and keyboard, horribly expensive. I just
can't risk voiding it. If the snap doesn't do it (pray to your appointed
fictional supernatural agent, please), it's back to Fry's for the
difficult job of getting them to honor the contract. Hmm ... tha'll take
sme prayer, too.
I feel closer to the truth, and the solution, than ever. Thanks to all for
the support.
--
Lan Barnes
SCM Analyst Linux Guy
Tcl/Tk Enthusiast Biodiesel Brewer
--
[email protected]
http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
