dragen427
October 14th, 2008, 09:20 PM
I finally got my wireless to work! OK, I can't really claim to have done anything other than demonstrate some patience.
My system is an HP Pavilion xt963, Pentium III 1.0 GHz with a Linksys WMP54GS wireless and a Network Everywhere NC100U-WM wired. I purchased this system used recently for $50 specifically to make the switch to Linux (my wife and kids would have been very unhappy if our newer computer was down for extended periods while I learned how to use Linux). I could have went and bought a supported card, but part of the challenge was getting an older system to run Linux on the cheap.
After four (?) installs and attempting several methods found in various posts and webpages, I again reinstalled Ubuntu 8.04 while connected to the internet through my wired connection. This time, after the install completed and I rebooted (booted for the first time), I did nothing with the system for several minutes. I then installed the first set of updates. After the update completed I again let it sit for a few minutes, rebooted, and again let the system sit for a minute or so. I then went to "System > Administration > Hardware Drivers", enabled the Broadcom B43 wireless driver, and checked the box when it asked me if I wanted it to fetch the firmware. I again did nothing with the system until it completed. When it completed, I closed the application and again let the system sit for about a minute. I then left-clicked on the network icon in the upper right corner and it displayed the available wireless networks (mine was the strongest, since I was sitting right next to it). Wanting to see if there was additional info, I right-clicked on my wireless network. The dialog box closed and my computer connected to the network almost immediately, first one then two green lights in the spinning icon. I again let the system sit for a few minutes, then tried the internet. It worked! After letting it sit a few more minutes, I shut the system down (fearful that it would not connect again when I restarted), moved the computer downstairs to its normal home, reconnected everything (no wired internet connection this time), started it, and it connected to the wireless network right away!
I don't know if I just got lucky on this install, or if the patience between activities is what did it.
I've heard of people having trouble down the road with this driver, so if I run into trouble I'll update this post.
In the meantime I'm ready to begin using Linux and enjoying the freedom it promises, along with the challenges!
Wish me luck!:guitar:
My system is an HP Pavilion xt963, Pentium III 1.0 GHz with a Linksys WMP54GS wireless and a Network Everywhere NC100U-WM wired. I purchased this system used recently for $50 specifically to make the switch to Linux (my wife and kids would have been very unhappy if our newer computer was down for extended periods while I learned how to use Linux). I could have went and bought a supported card, but part of the challenge was getting an older system to run Linux on the cheap.
After four (?) installs and attempting several methods found in various posts and webpages, I again reinstalled Ubuntu 8.04 while connected to the internet through my wired connection. This time, after the install completed and I rebooted (booted for the first time), I did nothing with the system for several minutes. I then installed the first set of updates. After the update completed I again let it sit for a few minutes, rebooted, and again let the system sit for a minute or so. I then went to "System > Administration > Hardware Drivers", enabled the Broadcom B43 wireless driver, and checked the box when it asked me if I wanted it to fetch the firmware. I again did nothing with the system until it completed. When it completed, I closed the application and again let the system sit for about a minute. I then left-clicked on the network icon in the upper right corner and it displayed the available wireless networks (mine was the strongest, since I was sitting right next to it). Wanting to see if there was additional info, I right-clicked on my wireless network. The dialog box closed and my computer connected to the network almost immediately, first one then two green lights in the spinning icon. I again let the system sit for a few minutes, then tried the internet. It worked! After letting it sit a few more minutes, I shut the system down (fearful that it would not connect again when I restarted), moved the computer downstairs to its normal home, reconnected everything (no wired internet connection this time), started it, and it connected to the wireless network right away!
I don't know if I just got lucky on this install, or if the patience between activities is what did it.
I've heard of people having trouble down the road with this driver, so if I run into trouble I'll update this post.
In the meantime I'm ready to begin using Linux and enjoying the freedom it promises, along with the challenges!
Wish me luck!:guitar: