BCM4313 driver not working under various drivers in Ubuntu 13.04.

[Luke_Ender]

Hey all,
So I purchased an Asus 1015e-DS03 Ubuntu laptop a few weeks ago for school. It came with 12.04 pre-installed and everything was dandy. I then decided I would upgrade to 13.04, and ever since that day I have not gotten wifi to work for more than 1/2 of a second. By default, when booted up the wifi will be hard-blocked. If I suspend the laptop, the wifi will work for about 1/2 second, just enough to list the nearby wifi networks, but never long enough to connect and it will soon go back to saying it's hard blocked. When proprietary drivers are enabled, the wificard is recognized but never successfully scans. It will tell me wifi is on and available but it's useless even right next to the router, so it's not a range thing. Now, I know that there is a working configuration for this, as it came installed by default with working drivers. But I seriously have no idea what to do, I've tried the guides http://askubuntu.com/questions/94021...an-asus-1015px and http://askubuntu.com/questions/31607...m4313-on-13-04 as well as many others and nothing seems to work. This is getting very annoying and I'm running out of time to return the comp if it still won't go. Rolling back to 12.04 doesn't do the trick, either. Does anyone have any advice?

[varunendra]

Welcome to the forums Luke_Ender !

Please follow the "Wireless Script" link in my signature, download and run the script as per instructions there, and post back the report it generates.

A few things you may check yourself in the report generated by the script -

1) Take a look at "lspci" part and make sure your wireless card is [14e4:4727]. If so, see if the "Kernel module" is "wl" or "brcm....<something>". If it is "wl", try the following -

sudo apt-get purge bcmwl-kernel-source
sudo modprobe -v brcmsmac

2) Take a look at "rfkill" part. If any of the wireless (wlan, or phy..) interfaces look hard or soft-blocked, try -

sudo rfkill unblock all

Beyond this, just post back the report here and we may be able to solve your problem.

[forkandles]

The above suggestion will probably work, but if all else fails try Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon.

This has a Driver Manager (MintDrivers) for hardware. I have a Lenovo G780 laptop with the same BCM4313.

All I had to do was to go to Driver Manager and click on the radio button for BCM4313.

I clicked on Apply Changes and the driver was then loaded automatically in just a few seconds.

Scroll down this page:
http://linuxmint.com/rel_olivia_whatsnew.php

[varunendra]

All I had to do was to go to Driver Manager and click on the radio button for BCM4313.

Unless it offers a bcmwl-kernel-source version higher than 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu3, I'm afraid it is going to suffer the same existing bug.

Besides, the native driver brcmsmac in kernel 3.8.. has been reported many times to work fine on this particular card. So I think it is worth trying the native one first, then a fixed version of bcmwl-kernel-source from anywhere, including this one, or the suggested Mint repository if it offers a newer, fixed version.

[Luke_Ender]

Hey, thanks for the suggestions! I tried them all out and unfortunately they've made no progress, though. I manually purged the broadcom-wl and modprobed the other and it lead to the same hardware blocked problem. rfkill unblock all also did nothing. I installed the modded wl you linked to, too, and it appears to have done nothing as well. I made sure it was in use and I get the hardware blocked error. Let me note that under the stock wl driver I don't get hardware blocked, just no scanning. What should I try next?
Here is the output of the wireless script, with the modded driver installed:
*************** info trace ***************

***** uname -a *****

Linux LukeyLinux 3.8.0-30-generic #44-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 22 20:52:24 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

***** lsb_release *****

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 13.04
Release: 13.04
Codename: raring

***** lspci *****

02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4727] (rev 01)
Subsystem: AzureWave Device [1a3b:2047]
Kernel driver in use: wl
03:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Qualcomm Atheros AR8162 Fast Ethernet [1969:1090] (rev 10)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:115d]
Kernel driver in use: alx

***** lsusb *****

Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 13d3:5188 IMC Networks

***** PCMCIA Card Info *****


***** iwconfig *****

eth1 IEEE 802.11abg ESSIDff/any
Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=200 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thrff Fragment thrff
Encryption keyff
Power Managementff


***** rfkill *****

0: asus-wlan: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
2: brcmwl-0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: yes

***** lsmod *****

wl 4177523 0
lib80211 14352 2 wl,lib80211_crypt_tkip
cfg80211 510937 1 wl

***** nm-tool *****

NetworkManager Tool

State: connected (global)

- Device: eth0 [Auto Ethernet] ------------------------------------------------
Type: Wired
Driver: alx
State: connected
Default: yes
HW Address: 740:2B:70:A4:F8

Capabilities:
Carrier Detect: yes
Speed: 100 Mb/s

Wired Properties
Carrier: on

IPv4 Settings:
Address: 10.7.16.32
Prefix: 24 (255.255.255.0)
Gateway: 10.7.16.254

DNS: 10.1.1.7
DNS: 10.7.0.4
DNS: 10.21.40.32


- Device: eth1 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Type: 802.11 WiFi
Driver: wl
State: unavailable
Default: no
HW Address: DC:85E:27:6F:4A

Capabilities:

Wireless Properties
WEP Encryption: yes
WPA Encryption: yes
WPA2 Encryption: yes

Wireless Access Points



***** NetworkManager.state *****
[main]
NetworkingEnabled=true
WirelessEnabled=true
WWANEnabled=true
WimaxEnabled=true

***** NetworkManager.conf *****

[main]
plugins=ifupdown,keyfile
dns=dnsmasq

[ifupdown]
managed=false

***** interfaces *****

# interfaces(5) file used by ifup(8) and ifdown(8)
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

***** iwlist *****


***** resolv.conf *****

nameserver 127.0.1.1
search (cersored)

***** blacklist *****

[forkandles]

Unless it offers a bcmwl-kernel-source version higher than 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu3, I'm afraid it is going to suffer the same existing bug.

If it is of any use, my Lenovo G780 uses 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu6 in Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon 32 bit.

I believe this is a more recent version than the *****-0ubuntu3 one you mentioned.

[varunendra]

@Luke_Ender,

That is an incomplete output, please re-run the script and post back the complete report. Looks like you ran the script with "sh..", which is not compatible with it. Please run it without sh (./wireless_script) or with bash (bash wireless_script).

And please use 'Code' box to put the output code in. Follow the "Using Code Tags" link in my signature to see how. Thanks.

@forkandles,
Please read the bug report I linked to. It is about the same version of the package. I have a few guesses but can't be sure as to how it installed fine on your system.

[Luke_Ender]

I apologize, here ya go:

*************** info trace ***************

***** uname -a *****

Linux LukeyLinux 3.8.0-30-generic #44-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 22 20:52:24 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

***** lsb_release *****

Distributor ID:    Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 13.04
Release:    13.04
Codename:    raring

***** lspci *****

02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4727] (rev 01)
    Subsystem: AzureWave Device [1a3b:2047]
    Kernel driver in use: wl
03:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Qualcomm Atheros AR8162 Fast Ethernet [1969:1090] (rev 10)
    Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:115d]
    Kernel driver in use: alx

***** lsusb *****

Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 003 Device 007: ID 152d:2329 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA Technology Corp. JM20329 SATA Bridge
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 13d3:5188 IMC Networks 

***** PCMCIA Card Info *****


***** iwconfig *****

eth1      IEEE 802.11abg  ESSID:off/any  
          Mode:Managed  Access Point: Not-Associated   Tx-Power=200 dBm   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          

***** rfkill *****

0: asus-wlan: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: no
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: no
2: brcmwl-0: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: yes

***** lsmod *****

wl                   4177523  0 
lib80211               14352  2 wl,lib80211_crypt_tkip
cfg80211              510937  1 wl

***** nm-tool *****

NetworkManager Tool

State: connected (global)

- Device: eth0  [Auto Ethernet] ------------------------------------------------
  Type:              Wired
  Driver:            alx
  State:             connected
  Default:           yes
  HW Address:        <MAC address removed>

  Capabilities:
    Carrier Detect:  yes
    Speed:           100 Mb/s

  Wired Properties
    Carrier:         on

  IPv4 Settings:
    Address:         10.7.16.32
    Prefix:          24 (255.255.255.0)
    Gateway:         10.7.16.254

    DNS:             10.1.1.7
    DNS:             10.7.0.4
    DNS:             10.21.40.32


- Device: eth1 -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Type:              802.11 WiFi
  Driver:            wl
  State:             unavailable
  Default:           no
  HW Address:        <MAC address removed>

  Capabilities:

  Wireless Properties
    WEP Encryption:  yes
    WPA Encryption:  yes
    WPA2 Encryption: yes

  Wireless Access Points 



***** NetworkManager.state *****
[main]
NetworkingEnabled=true
WirelessEnabled=true
WWANEnabled=true
WimaxEnabled=true

***** NetworkManager.conf *****

[main]
plugins=ifupdown,keyfile
dns=dnsmasq

[ifupdown]
managed=false

***** interfaces *****

# interfaces(5) file used by ifup(8) and ifdown(8)
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

***** iwlist *****


***** resolv.conf *****

nameserver 127.0.1.1
 search (censored)

***** blacklist *****

[/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ath_pci.conf]
blacklist ath_pci

[/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-bcm43.conf]
blacklist b43
blacklist b43legacy
blacklist ssb
blacklist bcm43xx
blacklist brcm80211
blacklist brcmfmac
blacklist brcmsmac
blacklist bcma

[/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf]
blacklist evbug
blacklist usbmouse
blacklist usbkbd
blacklist eepro100
blacklist de4x5
blacklist eth1394
blacklist snd_intel8x0m
blacklist snd_aw2
blacklist i2c_i801
blacklist prism54
blacklist bcm43xx
blacklist garmin_gps
blacklist asus_acpi
blacklist snd_pcsp
blacklist pcspkr
blacklist amd76x_edac

***** modinfo *****

filename:       /lib/modules/3.8.0-30-generic/updates/dkms/wl.ko
license:        MIXED/Proprietary
srcversion:     BABC0C9D65980A8EE0BDD4B
alias:          pci:v*d*sv*sd*bc02sc80i*
depends:        cfg80211,lib80211
vermagic:       3.8.0-30-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 
parm:           wl_txq_thresh:int
parm:           oneonly:int
parm:           piomode:int
parm:           instance_base:int
parm:           nompc:int
parm:           intf_name:string


***** udev rules *****

# PCI device 0x1969:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.3/0000:03:00.0 (alx)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="eth*", NAME="eth0"

# PCI device 0x14e4:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.1/0000:02:00.0/bcma0:0 (bcma-pci-bridge)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="wlan*", NAME="wlan0"

# PCI device 0x14e4:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.1/0000:02:00.0 (wl)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="eth*", NAME="eth1"

***** dmesg *****

[   15.808249] psmouse serio4: elantech: assuming hardware version 4 (with firmware version 0x361f03)
[   16.042124] wl: module license 'MIXED/Proprietary' taints kernel.
[   16.085172] INFO @wl_cfg80211_attach : Registered CFG80211 phy
[   16.204445] eth1: Broadcom BCM4727 802.11 Hybrid Wireless Controller 6.30.223.30 (r390414)
[   18.728040] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth1: link is not ready
[ 4912.608199] usb 3-1: device firmware changed

****************** done ******************

[forkandles]

@varunendra,

I just like to keep things simple. As stated earlier, using Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon 32 bit, I just click on the radio button for BCM4313 and 6.20.155.1+bdcom-0ubuntu6 works perfectly on my Lenovo G780.

Whether LM 15 Cinnamon 32 bit has some minor differences from Ubuntu 13.04 which would explain this, I have no idea.

Anyway, that is my suggestion to try to help the OP.

[varunendra]

Nothing to apologize, I didn't specifically mention that incompatibility with sh, so if there is a fault, it is mine.

Anyway, what is this mysterious device? -

***** rfkill *****
....
2: brcmwl-0: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: yes

Apparently the same device with a different name (probably created while the other driver was in use) -

***** udev rules *****

# PCI device 0x1969:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.3/0000:03:00.0 (alx)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="eth*", NAME="eth0"

# PCI device 0x14e4:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.1/0000:02:00.0/bcma0:0 (bcma-pci-bridge)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="wlan*", NAME="wlan0"

# PCI device 0x14e4:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.1/0000:02:00.0 (wl)
SUBSYSTEM=="net", ACTION=="add", DRIVERS=="?*", ATTR{address}=="<MAC address removed>", ATTR{dev_id}=="0x0", ATTR{type}=="1", KERNEL=="eth*", NAME="eth1"

Let's backup this current file and try to create a new fresh one -

sudo mv /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules 70-persistent-net.rules.bak
sudo udevadm trigger
sudo modprobe -rv wl
sudo modprobe -v wl

Then check rfkill again -

rfkill list all

If the interface "2: brcmwl-0: Wireless LAN" still show up? Reboot if it does, and recheck. Still there?

@forkandles,
I started this post before you posted, so didn't notice it.
I have nothing against your approach or suggestion, just making available whatever info I've gathered about it so far. So that OP doesn't get confused should the bug kick in.

Not only I appreciate your help, I'd love to have an alternate solution if that proves to be one.