Anyway, here’s my progress…
Since the Debian 11.3/ASL2 from source is at a standstill, I’ve doubled back to trying the ASL2br6 image route. The previous problem had been absolutely no reference to my built-in ethernet/wifi hardware during the install (yet it still managed to get files off the internet DURING install); well, I finally figured out how to get the “non-free firmware” (ie. the drivers it supposedly needed) onto the boot media. NOW it explicitly asks which interface I want to use, the built-in ethernet or built-in wifi; I select the wifi and we’re off to the races. Once the install is complete, I’m back to no networking again. I’ve tried manually bringing the interface up (which is successful) but no network to talk to. I’ve even done a factory wipe (in the BIOS) but same result. I’m at the end of my knowledge when we get to manual networking commands. Grumble.
EDIT: dsmesg shows HUNDREDS of segfaults for app_rpt.so (the same one over & over).
Built-in diagnostics find no errors with eMMC or RAM.
-Bob
KK6RQ
ps. If anyone with those chops has the time or inclination, feel free to connect to 27269 and call me.