How to install usb wifi adapter?

Question

I'm new to linux environment and I'm using both latest Ubuntu and Lubuntu on my systems. I learned pretty much cmd lines but not every function they have. For example I can modify grub files using nano modifier >sudo nano... So here's the thing. I have this USB WiFi Adapter TPLink WN727N which has a RT5370 chipset. I'm trying to install it and have found some good help at the link below. But I cant figure out what it means exactly. So if anyone can help translate it for amateur people like me! :) I specifically want to use Ralink Driver method and don't understand the line 4 of it. "4. now just make, make install, and register your module with modprobe" So how should I perform modprobe and to which directory address?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Device/Tenda_W311M

ifconfig from Lubuntu 14.04

eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:13:d4:4c:e0:5a  
      UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
      RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
      TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
      collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 
      RX bytes:0 (0.0 B)  TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)

lo        Link encap:Local Loopback  
      inet addr:127.0.0.1  Mask:255.0.0.0
      inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
      UP LOOPBACK RUNNING  MTU:65536  Metric:1
      RX packets:320 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
      TX packets:320 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
      collisions:0 txqueuelen:0 
      RX bytes:25472 (25.4 KB)  TX bytes:25472 (25.4 KB)

Solution

try lsusb instead; ifconfig can only list interfaces, which have a driver. modprobe inserts the module into the current kernel... these commands need to be executed from within that directory: MediaTek RT5370 ... download & extract the archive, cd into the resulting directory ...then the instructions of the link provided should work. modinfo shows the kernel modules.

just a few years later ...

Comments

[Flatron]

Thats mysterious because since Ubuntu 12.10 the driver should be in the kernel source. Could you provide a screenshot from the wifi menu in the statusbar with your USB wifi connceted?

[Admin]

I actually want this for my desktop which runs Lubuntu 14.04 and that doesnt support this usb wifi.

[Admin]

for my laptop with UBUNTU

[Admin]

oh I cant paste the results of if config here!

[Admin]

says too much characters!

[Admin]

But this is for my desktop lubuntu

[Admin]

this screen shot is for my lubuntu

[Admin]

dropbox.com/s/hpwvggyd79duuc9/photo.JPG?dl=0