Dell ME051, Broadcom BCM4318

[Hadaka]

Hi,lets give it the ole try..
open a terminal and do..

sudo apt-get remove --purge bcmwl-kernel-source
sudo rm /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-bcm43.conf#ignore any error
sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer
sudo modprobe -rf b43
sudo modprobe b43

boot and test wireless
if good..then do..

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

thanks.
*Data entered on a series ME051 2005 dell-40 gig drive..2k ram
brcm 4318 wirless- Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

[Nosphky]

Thanks for the replies Morgaes and Hadaka.

I was able to complete the first 2 steps in Hadaka's list. The third (sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer) would not work because I cannot get an internet connection.
As I said in the OP, at 86% of the driver installation, the internet connection was cut.
This happened both times. Whatever cut the connection (a wired connection to my router) stuffed the system
and I cannot find anyway to get it back through 'Connection manager' or through 'Network management settings'.

What I did after the first failure was to go back to the usb stick : reboot a live version with internet connection
and then install Kubuntu again.

It looks like I shall have to make a third install. That'll have to wait till tomorrow.

[Hadaka]

Hi, this loads the correct driver no internet required.
be sure to download the zip file first

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2098717
Post #7

[Nosphky]

Hadaka said : --

"Hi, this loads the correct driver no internet required.
be sure to download the zip file first

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2098717
Post #7 "

I followed the instructions in the post #7 and now have /lib/firmware/b43/* installed ok

I still cannot connect to the wifi but there is one small change. When I click the network icon in the system tray, I now have two icons displayed : the airplane mode (disabled) and now the 'Wireless' icon. This is the first time I have seen the wireless icon but unfortunately it is disabled and no clicking or rebooting will get it enabled.

I can however, now connect by wired connection.

[Hadaka]

Hi, now hat you can enter commands with the wired connection
please do...

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

these will take some time.
when finished, boot and test wireless
thanks.

[Nosphky]

update and upgrade done ok using wired connection. After reboot, the wireless icon still shows 'wireless disabled' and clicking on it has no effect.

[Hadaka]

Hi, click the wireless icon, then make sure the 'Enable Wireless is checked
you may also want to check the keyboard on/off by pressing the fn/f2 keys
ONE time and then entering..

rfkilll list all

if any say yes- then click it one more time and repeat.
you may also want to see if you can reset bios to default
good luck.