Can't get wireless to work (BCM4303

[JayStayPaid9888]

Hey guys, I recently posted this in the Absolute Beginner forum and haven't got much feedback, so I figured I would try it here as well.

I recently installed Ubuntu (Lucid Lynx) on a desktop that was gathering dust in my house. I absolutely love everything about it so far and I'm learning something new everyday. However, I have spent the past few days following every tutorial I can find in an effort to get my wireless to work, but to no avail. I have a BCM 4303 wireless card (apparently the most aggravating card on the market) and the chipset is 14e4:4301. I am connected to the internet through my laptop currently. I have tried ndiswrapper (no luck) as well as b43-fwcutter (no luck), but perhaps now that I have a whole wonderful community behind me, I might make a little more progress! Let me know whatever info I need to post and I will do it asap.

I have since reinstalled and am now working with a clean slate. I did apt-get update and also enabled the b43legacy driver found under System>Hardware Drivers. However, when I click the Network Manager and try to enable wireless, I find that it says wireless is disabled and Enable Wireless is blacked out when I right click. This is where I've been stuck for quite a while.

I went ahead and moved to trying ndiswrapper.

I cabextracted the WinXP drivers I found here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...os=228&lang=en

I then moved the files bcmwl5.inf and bcmwl5.sys to my desktop. I started ndisgtk and selected the bcmwl5.inf which it installed with no problems. Then I restarted my computer, just for good measure, but the "Enable Wireless" option is still faded when I right click Network Manager and it says "Wireless is Disabled." I'm very new to Ubuntu so any direction from here is greatly appreciated!

Also, I'm using a Dell desktop.

Let me know if you guys need more info and I will post it asap! Thanks so much in advance, guys! I am otherwise loving the Ubuntu experience.

[purelinuxuser]

Welcome to Ubuntu! :) In order to help you, we'll need some more information. Post the output of the following commands:

lshw -c network
lspci
iwconfig

Good luck! ;)

[bkratz]

Would also like to see the output of

lsmod

(that is LSMOD in lowercase) to see if we have more than one driver competing for supremacy since multiple approaches have already been tried.

[kerry_s]

where you connected to the internet when you enabled the drivers?
because you need to be connected for them to download.

[chicoharv]

make sure you have bcm4328 installed in package manager. Also see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/bcm43xx

[JayStayPaid9888]

I installed something foolish which somehow led to Network-Manager applet disappearing. One thing led to another, I am once again working with a clean slate, lol. I have done nothing but install the b43-fwcutter found under Hardware Drivers. Here are the results of the commands, as requested.

lshw -c network
WARNING: you should run this program as super-user.
*-network:0
description: Network controller
product: BCM4303 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 1
bus info: pci@0000:03:01.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=b43-pci-bridge latency=64
resources: irq:17 memory:dfcfe000-dfcfffff
*-network:1
description: Ethernet interface
product: 82562ET/EZ/GT/GZ - PRO/100 VE (LOM) Ethernet Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 8
bus info: pci@0000:03:08.0
logical name: eth0
version: 04
serial: 00:13:20:93:79:2e
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=e100 driverversion=3.5.24-k2-NAPI firmware=N/A ip=192.168.0.77 latency=64 maxlatency=56 mingnt=8 multicast=yes
resources: irq:20 memory:dfcfd000-dfcfdfff ioport:d8c0(size=64)
*-network DISABLED
description: Wireless interface
physical id: 1
logical name: wlan0
serial: 00:06:25:22:ee:ce
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11b


lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82915G/P/GV/GL/PL/910GL Memory Controller Hub (rev 04)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82915G/GV/910GL Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 04)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 04)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 04)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #1 (rev 04)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #2 (rev 04)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #3 (rev 04)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #4 (rev 04)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 04)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev d4)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FR (ICH6/ICH6R) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 04)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) IDE Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801FR/FRW (ICH6R/ICH6RW) SATA Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 04)
03:01.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4303 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
03:02.0 Modem: Intel Corporation FA82537EP 56K V.92 Data/Fax Modem PCI (rev 04)
03:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82562ET/EZ/GT/GZ - PRO/100 VE (LOM) Ethernet Controller (rev 04)


iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11b ESSID: off/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=0 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr: off Fragment thr: off
Power Management: off



lsmod
Module Size Used by
binfmt_misc 6587 1
ppdev 5259 0
snd_hda_codec_idt 51914 1
snd_hda_intel 21877 2
snd_hda_codec 74201 2 snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel
snd_hwdep 5412 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm_oss 35308 0
snd_mixer_oss 13746 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 70662 3 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq_dummy 1338 0
snd_seq_oss 26726 0
snd_seq_midi 4557 0
snd_rawmidi 19056 1 snd_seq_midi
arc4 1153 2
fbcon 35102 71
b43legacy 115152 0
snd_seq_midi_event 6003 2 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi
tileblit 2031 1 fbcon
mac80211 204922 1 b43legacy
font 7557 1 fbcon
snd_seq 47263 6 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_mid i_event
bitblit 4707 1 fbcon
cfg80211 126485 2 b43legacy,mac80211
snd_timer 19098 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 5700 5 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi ,snd_seq
softcursor 1189 1 bitblit
vga16fb 11385 0
snd 54148 16 snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_ hwdep,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_seq_os s,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
vgastate 8961 1 vga16fb
soundcore 6620 1 snd
led_class 2864 1 b43legacy
snd_page_alloc 7076 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
i915 282354 3
drm_kms_helper 29297 1 i915
drm 162471 4 i915,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit 5028 1 i915
video 17375 1 i915
intel_agp 24177 2 i915
output 1871 1 video
agpgart 31724 2 drm,intel_agp
psmouse 63245 0
serio_raw 3978 0
usbhid 36110 0
hid 67032 1 usbhid
dell_wmi 1793 0
lp 7028 0
dcdbas 5422 0
parport 32635 2 ppdev,lp
b44 25542 0
e100 28211 0
mii 4381 2 b44,e100
ssb 37336 2 b43legacy,b44




where you connected to the internet when you enabled the drivers?
because you need to be connected for them to download.Yessir, I was.


I have tried blacklisting certain drivers in earlier efforts and realize I have not done so as of right now. I decided when I came to this forum I wouldn't make any moves without being told to do so, regardless of what I THINK I know. :p



Currently, network-manager shows wireless as "device is not ready"

[JayStayPaid9888]

make sure you have bcm4328 installed in package manager. Also see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/bcm43xx


I failed to locate bcm4328 in Synaptic Package Manager. Is it found in a repository other than Main Universe Restricted or Multiverse?

[JayStayPaid9888]

Got this piece of advice in the other thread, which I linked to this one. Sorry for the multi posts! DON'T HATE ME! :lolflag:


It's possible you need to add b43 and ssb to the blacklist.conf file to stop default drivers from stepping on what you are trying to install. The same applies to the restricted driver. If you still have it enabled you must disable it before you can have any success with another driver and method. Same goes for the firmware cutter.

It's also possible you need to do a ifup on wlan0 or some such thing - you'd need to lshw -C network to see which you wireless adapter is.

Added to blacklist.conf in /etc/modprobe.d/ :
blacklist b43
blacklist ssb

Which is the restricted driver? b43-legacy? I'm a bit confused. Pardon my ignorance!



::EDIT::
Ok, executed cmd sudo ifconfig wlan0 up. network manager instantly showed wireless went from "Device is not ready" to "Wireless is disabled." Enable Wireless is also blacked out again.

[purelinuxuser]

Which is the restricted driver? b43-legacy? I'm a bit confused. Pardon my ignorance!

::EDIT::
Ok, executed cmd sudo ifconfig wlan0 up. network manager instantly showed wireless went from "Device is not ready" to "Wireless is disabled." Enable Wireless is also blacked out again.

b43 = built-in driver for newer Broadcom cards
b43legacy = built-in driver for older Broadcom cards
wl = restricted driver (nice name, Broadcom)

Repost lshw -c network.

[JayStayPaid9888]

Ok, so far I've added b43, ssb, and wl to blacklist.conf. Any others?

Here are the results of lshw -c network
*-network:0
description: Network controller
product: BCM4303 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 1
bus info: pci@0000:03:01.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=b43-pci-bridge latency=64
resources: irq:17 memory:dfcfe000-dfcfffff
*-network:1
description: Ethernet interface
product: 82562ET/EZ/GT/GZ - PRO/100 VE (LOM) Ethernet Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 8
bus info: pci@0000:03:08.0
logical name: eth0
version: 04
serial: 00:13:20:93:79:2e
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=e100 driverversion=3.5.24-k2-NAPI firmware=N/A ip=192.168.0.62 latency=64 maxlatency=56 mingnt=8 multicast=yes
resources: irq:20 memory:dfcfd000-dfcfdfff ioport:d8c0(size=64)
*-network DISABLED
description: Wireless interface
physical id: 1
logical name: wlan0
serial: 00:06:25:22:ee:ce
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11b

[bkratz]

Ok, so far I've added b43, ssb, and wl to blacklist.conf. Any others?

Here are the results of lshw -c network
*-network:0
description: Network controller
product: BCM4303 802.11b Wireless LAN Controller
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 1
bus info: pci@0000:03:01.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=b43-pci-bridge latency=64
resources: irq:17 memory:dfcfe000-dfcfffff
*-network:1
description: Ethernet interface
product: 82562ET/EZ/GT/GZ - PRO/100 VE (LOM) Ethernet Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 8
bus info: pci@0000:03:08.0
logical name: eth0
version: 04
serial: 00:13:20:93:79:2e
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=e100 driverversion=3.5.24-k2-NAPI firmware=N/A ip=192.168.0.62 latency=64 maxlatency=56 mingnt=8 multicast=yes
resources: irq:20 memory:dfcfd000-dfcfdfff ioport:d8c0(size=64)
*-network DISABLED
description: Wireless interface
physical id: 1
logical name: wlan0
serial: 00:06:25:22:ee:ce
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11b



Since you are not using an ethernet device that requires b44 ( a Broadcom version), I believe you should probably do that one too ( I think it makes ssb load anyway even though blacklisted). Someone please correct if wrong, you might wait just a little while for any comments. A reboot is probably required.

[JayStayPaid9888]

Since you are not using an ethernet device that requires b44 ( a Broadcom version), I believe you should probably do that one too ( I think it makes ssb load anyway even though blacklisted). Someone please correct if wrong, you might wait just a little while for any comments. A reboot is probably required.


Ok, I'll hold off until I get some more feedback. Also, I've currently got my desktop on the internet through my laptop with an ethernet cable. Will blacklisting b44 cut that off?

[bkratz]

Ok, I'll hold off until I get some more feedback. Also, I've currently got my desktop on the internet through my laptop with an ethernet cable. Will blacklisting b44 cut that off?

No, actually it would only affect the ethernet of the laptop, the desktop has it own card and may or may not use the same driver, but it would be there in it if used.

[purelinuxuser]

Hold on, guys. JayStayPaid9888, let's make one thing clear: which route do you want to go?

B43 Legacy driver - open source driver
Ndiswrapper - Windows driver emulated (sort of ) under Linux
Broadcom proprietary driver (wl) - Broadcom's Linux wireless driver

Once you've picked your desired driver, we can proceed with a solution. ;)

[bkratz]

Hold on, guys. JayStayPaid9888, let's make one thing clear: which route do you want to go?

B43 - open source driver
Ndiswrapper - Windows driver emulated (sort of ) under Linux
Broadcom proprietary driver (wl) - Broadcom's Linux wireless driver

Once you've picked your desired driver, we can proceed with a solution. ;)

The BCM4303 can not use either the b43 or sta drivers, it can only use the b43legacy driver.

See here
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Known_PCI_devices

[purelinuxuser]

The BCM4303 can not use either the b43 or sta drivers, it can only use the b43legacy driver.

See here
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Known_PCI_devices

I knew it was b43legacy only, but I didn't know it wasn't STA compatible! :confused:

(post edited)

[JayStayPaid9888]

Ok, so lets go the b43legacy route! ;-)

Direct me, oh Directors!

[bkratz]

Since your card shows up as disabled--it might be nice to see the outputs of the following terminal commands.

rfkill list
and
iwconfig

[purelinuxuser]

Ok, so lets go the b43legacy route! ;-)

Direct me, oh Directors!

Easy squeezy! :)


Plug into Ethernet for an Internet connection
Install the package "b43-fwcutter"
During installation you will get a checkbox that reads "Automatically download and install firmware?" make sure it is checked.
Reboot.

Good luck! ;)

EDIT: If this doesn't work, please post
dmesg | grep -i b43

[JayStayPaid9888]

I reinstalled fwcutter, making sure i had the box checked. After a restart, Enable Wireless is still blacked out and here are the results of the cmd's requested:


rfkill list
0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: yes


iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11b ESSID:off/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power= off
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr: off Fragment thr: off
Power Management: off



dmesg | grep -i b43
[ 1.498335] b43-pci-bridge 0000:03:01.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
[ 13.290251] b43legacy-phy0: Broadcom 4301 WLAN found
[ 13.312064] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Found PHY: Analog 0, Type 1, Revision 4
[ 13.312089] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Found Radio: Manuf 0x17F, Version 0x2053, Revision 2
[ 13.344182] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.196080] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/ucode2.fw
[ 14.222665] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/pcm4.fw
[ 14.242635] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/b0g0initvals2.fw
[ 14.365047] b43legacy-phy0: Loading firmware version 0x127, patch level 14 (2005-04-18 02:36:27)
[ 14.422660] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Chip initialized
[ 14.422870] b43legacy-phy0 debug: 30-bit DMA initialized
[ 14.423657] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x2B
[ 14.423665] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x78
[ 14.423672] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x2E
[ 14.423678] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x19
[ 14.423722] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Wireless interface started
[ 14.423743] b43legacy-phy0: Radio hardware status changed to DISABLED
[ 14.423752] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.424304] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Adding Interface type 2
[ 14.472284] b43legacy-phy0: Radio turned on by software
[ 14.472292] b43legacy-phy0: The hardware RF-kill button still turns the radio physically off. Press the button to turn it on.
[ 14.528273] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Removing Interface type 2
[ 14.536272] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Wireless interface stopped
[ 14.536390] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0260 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
[ 14.536435] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0200 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
[ 14.536485] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x02A0 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.544300] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0280 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.552285] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0260 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.560272] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0240 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.568300] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0220 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.658741] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0200 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.764043] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.764061] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized

[bkratz]

I reinstalled fwcutter, making sure i had the box checked. After a restart, Enable Wireless is still blacked out and here are the results of the cmd's requested:


rfkill list
0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: yes


iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11b ESSID:off/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power= off
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr: off Fragment thr: off
Power Management: off



dmesg | grep -i b43
[ 1.498335] b43-pci-bridge 0000:03:01.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
[ 13.290251] b43legacy-phy0: Broadcom 4301 WLAN found
[ 13.312064] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Found PHY: Analog 0, Type 1, Revision 4
[ 13.312089] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Found Radio: Manuf 0x17F, Version 0x2053, Revision 2
[ 13.344182] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.196080] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/ucode2.fw
[ 14.222665] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/pcm4.fw
[ 14.242635] b43legacy ssb0:0: firmware: requesting b43legacy/b0g0initvals2.fw
[ 14.365047] b43legacy-phy0: Loading firmware version 0x127, patch level 14 (2005-04-18 02:36:27)
[ 14.422660] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Chip initialized
[ 14.422870] b43legacy-phy0 debug: 30-bit DMA initialized
[ 14.423657] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x2B
[ 14.423665] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x78
[ 14.423672] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x2E
[ 14.423678] b43legacy-phy0 warning: LEDs: Unknown behaviour 0x19
[ 14.423722] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Wireless interface started
[ 14.423743] b43legacy-phy0: Radio hardware status changed to DISABLED
[ 14.423752] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.424304] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Adding Interface type 2
[ 14.472284] b43legacy-phy0: Radio turned on by software
[ 14.472292] b43legacy-phy0: The hardware RF-kill button still turns the radio physically off. Press the button to turn it on.
[ 14.528273] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Removing Interface type 2
[ 14.536272] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Wireless interface stopped
[ 14.536390] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0260 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
[ 14.536435] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0200 (RX) max used slots: 0/64
[ 14.536485] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x02A0 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.544300] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0280 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.552285] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0260 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.560272] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0240 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.568300] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0220 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.658741] b43legacy-phy0 debug: DMA-30 0x0200 (TX) max used slots: 0/128
[ 14.764043] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized
[ 14.764061] b43legacy-phy0 debug: Radio initialized

The red above indicates that there is some switch or key combination that is needed to turn on the wireless.

[JayStayPaid9888]

Yea, I suspected that may be the issue. But I'm giving Ubuntu a test run on this crappy Dell Dimension E310 desktop and I'm not aware of any hotkey or button combo that unlocks the wifi. I also checked the back of my wifi card and found nothing. Any ideas, fellas? I feel like we're gettin close!

[bkratz]

You might also check the bios and make sure it is on there ( if it is even mentioned). Probably not that though, because I believe it would have shown "soft blocked", but I am really not sure about that (at all!).

[purelinuxuser]

Yea, I suspected that may be the issue. But I'm giving Ubuntu a test run on this crappy Dell Dimension E310 desktop and I'm not aware of any hotkey or button combo that unlocks the wifi. I also checked the back of my wifi card and found nothing. Any ideas, fellas? I feel like we're gettin close!

I tried to help a guy with the same problem earlier, I can't remember how it turned out though.

It's possible that b43legacy is misidentifying the RFkill button for your card (if there is any at all). If so, you'll have to go the ndiswrapper route. If you already have the appropriate Windows driver installed, you can run

modprobe -r b43 ssb ndiswrapper
modprobe ndiswrapper

If there are any errors, post them. :)

[kplo]

not sure if the OP has solved the problem, but I am having the exact same problem with the same card right now. Additional information is that, my card worked (and still works) in 8.04 by using b43-fwcutter and the b43legacy driver from wl_apsta-3.130.20.0.o. I confirmed that again using the 8.04 live CD, and all I have to do is 1) install b43-fwcutter, 2) sudo b43-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware wl_apsta-3.130.20.0.o. Doing the same in 10.4 does not work. Any idea?

[chicoharv]

I might suggest that as long as 8.04 is working , just upgrade to the latest edition by downloading as I did. I know that some packages aren't needed on the upgrade and maybe you won't have a problem that way where you might using the CD or live version.

[sirhc1004]

I have the same card wireless card (BCM4303)

I found this:
http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#Known_PCI_devices
which suggests that the b43legacy driver supports this card.

However, following the steps in this thread, I ran into nearly identical situations (we might even have the same Dell Dinosaur (BNJ8721?). I was unable to get the b43legacy driver to work, and currently, I can't get the Ndiswrapper method to work either.

Any suggestions?
@JayStayPaid9888 (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=1103107), did you solve this problem?

[sirhc1004]

My BCM4303 works with the steps in this thread:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=766560