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Thread: MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Beans
    5

    MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

    I have a MacBook Pro 8.1 and had the wifi working just swell up until an hour ago... Now nothing having to do with wifi shows up anywhere. I tried downloading ndiswrapper but dont know how to open it. It happened after I rebooted after waking up from being suspended and poof! no wifi....

    Ubuntu 12.10 64bit on MacBook Pro 8.1 Intel i5

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Utah, USA
    Beans
    37
    Distro
    Kubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

    Re: MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

    May I ask why you are using ndiswrapper?

    I believe we share the same Wi-Fi controller, the Broadcom 4331. Generally, it's recommended to use the b43 driver for this chip. However, Broadcom has been slow to support open-source software, so this driver depends on proprietary firmware available only in their closed-source drivers.

    This means that Ubuntu can't distribute the appropriate firmware with the OS. Instead, you need the b43-fwcutter utility to extract the firmware and place it where the driver expects to find it.

    I'm guessing Wi-Fi is your primary network connection, and you're grabbing files on a different machine. In this case, simply follow these instructions to get everything you'll need: http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Dr...entioned_above
    MacBook Pro 8,2

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Beans
    5

    Re: MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

    I read somewhere to use ndiswrapper and use it to change a driver file, idk.. I was looking everywhere, and tried everything to get it working again. I got it working easily in the beginning, but now it just went away. Ok, now please forgive me, but does "/lib/firmware" need to be replaced and the directory in which the downloaded file needs to be inserted there? And, same thing with "$FIRMWARE_INSTALL_DIR"? Please forgive me, I am still learning.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    UK
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish

    Re: MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by machumamu View Post
    I read somewhere to use ndiswrapper
    That's always the problem with "somewhere" on the internet. There's a lot of misguided information out there, unfortunately.

    Quote Originally Posted by machumamu View Post
    please forgive me, but does "/lib/firmware" need to be replaced and the directory in which the downloaded file needs to be inserted there?
    Don't try to replace system directories. Installing the Broadcom firmware is very easy, but first you need to double-check that you do have the Broadcom chipset that trogdor1138 mentions. Have a look at this Ubuntu community documentation page:

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...Driver/bcm43xx

    There's far more there than you need, so first identify your wireless chipset as described under "Identifying Your Broadcom BCM43xx Chipset (PCI)".

    If yours is a Broadcom, check it against the b43 list. If b43 is appropriate for you, go to:

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...l_Quetzal.29-1

    You'll need to be connected to your router with an ethernet cable for this bit. If you can't establish a wired connection, you can install the firmware from the Ubuntu CD, or by downloading the package via another computer, as here:

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...nternet_access

    Hope that helps. If it turns out that your Macbook has another Broadcom chip or another make of wireless, post back and someone will be able to help.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Beans
    5

    Re: MacBook Pro 8.1 WiFi Problem

    Thank you coffeecat, worked like a charm...

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