i cant find the broadcom 802.11 driver i need

Assuming your computer has a working wired network connection, you can use the built-in driver search by going to:
System > Administration > Hardware Drivers
If it's listed, the Broadcom STA proprietary wireless driver should do the trick.

If no relevant drivers are listed there, or you're currently using another computer/OS to access the internet,you'll be more likely to get help from someone if you gave a few more details, e.g. which version of Ubuntu you're using, the model of the wireless device (or computer if it's built-in), etc.

Can you give the output of:

sudo lshw -C network

as well, what Marc says should work for most broadcoms

Hi,

Please first connect your network card to the wireless router using an ethernet cable (also known as a LAN cable).

In order to gather essential troubleshooting information about your wireless card, please follow this procedure:

Step 1: Open Terminal from "Applications->Accessories->Terminal"

Step 2: Please copy-paste the following command from the https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu website in Firefox into the Linux Terminal. Do NOT copy-paste from the Email message into the Terminal, as that will only copy PART of the command. The command STARTS with the word sudo and ENDS with the word restart. So please copy-paste the ENTIRE command below from Firefox into a Terminal, press <enter>, then enter password when sudo asks for password, then press enter again.

Tip: If you have a wheel mouse or 3 button mouse you do not need to type commands into the Terminal. Highlight the command written on the page. Move your cursor anywhere in the Terminal and press the wheel or middle button. Automatic Copy and paste! No spelling mistakes! No Typos! No other errors!

sudo lshw -C network; sudo iwlist scanning; cat /etc/network/interfaces; cat /etc/lsb-release; lspci -nn; lsusb; sudo lshw -short; uname -a; dmesg | grep ound; dmesg | grep b43; dmesg | grep wl; dmesg | grep witch; iwconfig; grep b43 /etc/modprobe.d/*; grep wl /etc/modprobe.d/*; sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

Step 3: Please post results (copy/paste terminal output) on this thread. The troubleshooters here need to see the full Terminal output from running the above command.

Step 4: Please also specify the exact model and make of pc that you are using (if known)

Regards,

Mark

the version of Ubuntu i am using is 9.10. the computer is a Gateway.

Step 1: Open Terminal from "Applications->Accessories->Terminal"

Step 2: Please copy-paste the following command from the https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu website in Firefox into the Linux Terminal. Do NOT copy-paste from the Email message into the Terminal, as that will only copy PART of the command. The command STARTS with the word sudo and ENDS with the word restart. So please copy-paste the ENTIRE command below from Firefox into a Terminal, press <enter>, then enter password when sudo asks for password, then press enter again.

Tip: If you have a wheel mouse or 3 button mouse you do not need to type commands into the Terminal. Highlight the command written on the page. Move your cursor anywhere in the Terminal and press the wheel or middle button. Automatic Copy and paste! No spelling mistakes! No Typos! No other errors!

sudo lshw -C network; sudo iwlist scanning; cat /etc/network/interfaces; cat /etc/lsb-release; lspci -nn; lsusb; sudo lshw -short; uname -a; dmesg | grep ound; dmesg | grep b43; dmesg | grep wl; dmesg | grep witch; iwconfig; grep b43 /etc/modprobe.d/*; grep wl /etc/modprobe.d/*; sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

Step 3: Please post results (copy/paste terminal output) on this thread. The troubleshooters here need to see the full Terminal output from running the above command.

just so you all know it is a WiFi card im trying to get working.

Yes we understand that. :-)

i cant copy what the computer says. i cant because i'm using Windows to get on the net, the Ubuntu computer is not compatible with my Windows computer.

So you cannot access the Internet using a wireD connection either in Ubuntu?

i do not have a wired connection. i have a WiFi connection.

i just need someone to tell me were to go to get the broadcom 802.11 driver software i need.

Considering the fact that you are not using a wired connection and wireless is not working, I suggest downloading and testing Linux Mint 8 during a LiveCD session (=boot the CD but do not install yet). If wireless works in Linux Mint 8 (which is quite possible), then I suggest installing it from the LiveCD session.

Ubuntu does not provide out-of-the-box support for proprietary hardware (like your Broadcom wireless card). You need a wired internet connection to easily download and install the firmware for your Broadcom wireless chipset in Ubuntu.

But Linux Mint does provide out-of-the-box support for a lot of Broadcom wireless chipsets (but maybe not all of the different wireless chipset types).

ok i will try that