Panda Wireless USB not recognized

[JanetBiggar]

Hello,
I have used this WiFi USB before and typically it works ootb.  I have a Dell latitude D630 whose HDD died so I substituted an HD from another laptop that wasn't working (for other unknown reasons).  The replacement HDD had Win 8 on it and had a password set by the person using it 18 months ago before the laptop died thus I was not able to test run the WiFi before switching to LL...

All is fine with LL 3.8 with the exception of the Wifi.  In the past once I connected using ethernet and done updates and drivers I've been "golden" with either having WiFi or when I've had to resort to the WiFi USB it has worked ootb without doing anything.

I have tried setting the driver to the Broadcom Linux one (did not resolve the WiFi problem) and also changed it back and still no WiFi.  I did go into BIOS and check that all the WiFi "stuff" was enabled.

I also put in the small disk that comes with the Panda USB and clicked on the Linux instructions.  It gives a bunch of lines I could put into a terminal box, however it says for fedora so I was hesitant to do this.

Any suggestions as to what I should do?  I'd like to try to get it working such that I can place it with a youth when school re-starts in January.

[trinidad]

The binary blobs for most of these chips are now in a Debian non-free miscellaneous firmware package. Open synaptic and search for ralink or non-free firmware, then check the package properties for ralink (rt) support.

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Wireless_adapt...pset_table
TC

[JanetBiggar]

Thanks Trinidad,
So although I don't understand all the lingo I went to the link you sent and at the top left just before the list it directed me to a newer, more up-to-date list. I looked it it and chose the Panda USB PAU05 info and got to the wikidevi site: https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Panda_Wireless_PAU05

From there I got the support page for the USB:http://www.pandawireless.com/Drivers%20%7C%20Panda%20Wireless.html

Where I was able to download the driver called LinuxDriver4Fedor in tar.bz2 form

So now I'm not sure what to do...I saved this file, but have never opened up/run a "tarball" (? I think it's called).

Any other help would be appreciated  - in very simple form if possible for this non-techie 

[JanetBiggar]

So, long story short - I saw at one of the sites listed above that the Rt2800 driver works with this USB and it also said something about "back port" so I plugged it into one of the back USB ports on my laptop and could see in very light print that the ralink USB was at least listed although indicated it was not enabled.

So I looked further on my laptop and did find a wireless switch that had not been turned on - Stupid me!  I had not looked really hard before as this was my original laptop from 11 years ago and I never recalled it having such a switch unlike many other old laptops with which I have worked. Ever since I have started reconditioning the old laptops for the youth in South Africa with whom I work I have learned to check for a WiFi switch...Except in this case.

Anyway, thanks for the previous assistance as it ultimately got me to this point!