Chromium: Redux

Well, Chrome OS did not turn out to be all that and a bag of chips. Only one issue, but a big one: it couldn't see my wireless network. Now, the previous two builds I tried while booting from a USB stick did see my network. When I installed the latest and greatest (see last post) I had plugged into my hard wired network, just for ease.

Oops.

I'm fairly sure that it's not just my wireless network; I have no other wireless devices right now so I can't verify my Wi-Fi is actually working. However, I cannot see any of the other Wi-Fi's in my neighborhood and I can usually see five or six.

I have Chromium OS 0.8.71.2010_10_06_1056 - Developer build from Oct 6.

I can try plugging my USB sticks back in with the older builds and seeing if I can still see my Wi-Fi. I can also just try grabbing the latest and giving that a go.

I did try plugging the hard wire back in and from Chrome->About, there's a Check For Update button. No luck, that may be waiting for the day when there's an official release.

Oh, noes. Hexxeh's download page is down. Bandwidth exceeded. Fortunately someone is helping him host images, just not the latest ones. He has a verified one from Sept 21, 2010 that I'll try. It is an older one, but he does have a screen shot that shows it connected to a wireless network.

Ugh, a two hour download. That's a shame his bandwidth got slammed. Looks like the other host is a very slow one.

In the meantime, I'll boot using a USB stick and an older build (0.5.31.201002131622) I know worked. I think that's Hexxeh's "Flow" build.

Ok, booted in that build. Still no Wi-Fi. Maybe I do have a problem with my netbook; I know that used to work.

Sigh. A quick check in the BIOS setup and the WLAN hardware feature was disabled. Duh!

I can't believe for almost two months we haven't used the netbook because of one simple switch.

That's what comes from not having/taking the time to do some quick checks.

Remember, the first question you should always ask: Is it plugged in?