Troubleshooting Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 Driver Issues on Linux

The Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 is a popular wireless networking adapter that is widely used in laptops and desktops. However, users may encounter issues when trying to get it working on Linux, particularly with the latest Ubuntu 13.04 distribution. In this article, we will explore some common problems and solutions related to the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 driver on Linux.

One of the most common issues is that the wireless adapter fails to find any networks or connections after upgrading to Ubuntu 13.04. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on your wireless connection for internet access. In some cases, the network manager may even crash after a while, leaving you with no option but to restart.

So, what could be causing these issues? It turns out that the iwlwifi firmware version installed by default in Ubuntu 13.04 is incorrect for many Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 adapters. The correct firmware version should be iwlwifi-5000-ucode-5.4.A.11.tar.gz, but instead, you may find that your system is using firmware=8.83.5.1.

To resolve this issue, you will need to download the correct firmware file and install it on your system. You can do this by downloading the iwlwifi-5000-ucode-5.4.A.11.tar.gz file from Intel's website or other reliable sources. Once downloaded, extract the contents of the tarball to a directory on your system.

Next, you will need to move the correct firmware file (iwlwifi-5000-1.ucode) to the /lib/firmware/iwlwifi/ directory. You can do this by running the following commands:

```

sudo mv /path/to/iwlwifi-5000-1.ucode /lib/firmware/iwlwifi/

```

Finally, you will need to remove any existing iwlwifi files from the /lib/firmware/ directory to ensure that your system uses the correct firmware version. You can do this by running the following command:

```

sudo rm /lib/firmware/iwlwifi*

```

After making these changes, restart your computer and see if your wireless adapter is working correctly again. If you are still experiencing issues, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek additional assistance from online forums or technical support resources.

In conclusion, resolving Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 driver issues on Linux requires careful attention to the firmware version installed on your system. By following these steps and downloading the correct firmware file, you should be able to get your wireless adapter working correctly again. Remember to always keep your system updated with the latest software packages and firmware versions to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.

Intel wifi link 5100 driver linux