Broadcom STA Wireless drivers not working on Dell Inspirion 1501, Ubuntu 12.04

[monkeysNmidgets]

Chili555... Right on with the "sudo apt-get..." instructions. Thanks a bunch!

It's an interesting problem, though. If I read the instructions right, we're downloading a small package, removing the b43 driver, and then re-adding the b43 driver.

To the point of someone else asking for an offline fix, could we have remove/re-add the b43 driver without the download? Or did the Broadcom code need changing for U12.04?

Curiously yours... (as my wiress is up!)

[chili555]

The driver b43 requires firmware which is proprietary so it's not included by default in the free and open source Ubuntu install. We install the nonfree firmware package; then we unload the driver and reload it so it sees and grabs the shiny new firmware.

The offline approach usually involves me attaching a zipped firmware file to my reply, and a USB stick so it can be transferred to the internet-less computer and installed in the correct spot so the b43 driver finds it as expected. As I said, I don't usually start there, but it's an available option if needed.

[jeb99]

Please temporarily hook up the ethernet temporarily and open a terminal and do:

sudo apt-get install linux-firmware-nonfree
sudo modprobe -r b43
sudo modprobe b43

Detach the ethernet. Now is it working?

This fix works perfectly for me as well (same hardware as the original poster). However, do you expect to have to do this each time you start the computer? Is there a permanent solution?

Thanks.

[chili555]

However, do you expect to have to do this each time you start the computer? Is there a permanent solution?

Usually there is! Please try:

sudo su
echo b43 >> /etc/modules
exit

Reboot. Is it working now?

[jeb99]

Usually there is! Please try:

sudo su
echo b43 >> /etc/modules
exit

Reboot. Is it working now?

Yes! Nice one, thanks a lot!

[StinkySQL]

Thanks Chili555 - I'm also up and running with no issues now, and I've only been on a Linux system for two days. Kinda feel in control again

[chili555]

Thanks Chili555 - I'm also up and running with no issues now, and I've only been on a Linux system for two days. Kinda feel in control again

Awesome! Glad it's working. Welcome to the fascinating world of Linux.

[cmcglath]

Please temporarily hook up the ethernet temporarily and open a terminal and do:

sudo apt-get install linux-firmware-nonfree
sudo modprobe -r b43
sudo modprobe b43

Detach the ethernet. Now is it working?

This also fixed my problem & I really appreciate your help.

[darksign13]

This really needs an OFFLINE solution
I probably have one! I don't usually propose it at the start for a laptop because the user can almost always walk over to the router and hook up.

I really, really need the off-line solution. I don't have the Internet at my house so I can only use the wifi connection at the public library. And since there is no Ethernet connections available there, I'm kind of hosed unless I can use the off-line way.

[bkratz]

I really, really need the off-line solution. I don't have the Internet at my house so I can only use the wifi connection at the public library. And since there is no Ethernet connections available there, I'm kind of hosed unless I can use the off-line way.

The b43 offline solution can be found in this posting.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...1&postcount=12