The real issue is with the Realtek RTL8101/RTL8102E card used inside the Mini 9 and this bug is actually a duplicate of bug 326891. One of the Ubuntu kernel developers have already uploaded the patches to intrepid-proposed repository for testing. Early Mini 9 testers report that the 2.6.27-13 update has a working Ethernet connection.
The Fix (Two Methods)
1. You can add the Pre-released updates (intrepid-proposed) repository to your software sources and install the test/proposed 2.6.27-13-generic kernel.
- You can find your Software Sources under System>Admin.
- Select Pre-release updates (intrepid-proposed) repository under the Updates tab.
This is not my prefered method as the proposed kernel could have other problems associated with it.
2. You can load into the older 2.6.27-9-generic kernel when you have to use the Mini's wired connection. The 2.6.27-9 kernel had a working wired connection and until a week ago we here all using it without any major problems.
Selecting 2.6.27-9-generic kernel is an easy process:
- Load into your Grub menu. (After the Dell splash logo at start-up hit Esc during Grub loading)
- At the Grub menu select the 2.6.27-9-generic kernel and hit enter.
I prefer this method because I know what to expect, the 2.6.27-9 kernel will have a working wired connection and won't break anything else on my Mini.
The only feature the 2.6.27-11-generic kernel offered Dell Mini 9 users was a broken wired connection, it won't be missed. The 2.6.27-13-generic kernel update should hit soon and I will update the blog when it does.
