Ubuntu

Live CD will not boot: Error: Microcode "bcm43xx_microcode5.fw" not available or load failed

Asked by AFarris01

Hello... I decided recently to switch from using ubuntu on my weak secondary computer, and install ubuntu on my main computer, but im having trouble booting my main computer with the new ubuntu 7.10 live CD. When i attempt to boot up, no matter if i choose normal or safe graphics mode at the boot menu, ubuntu attempts to boot up, then gives the following error message:

213.85200 bcm43xx: Error: Microcode "bcm43xx_microcode5.fw" not available or load failed

after this, the ubuntu GUI attempts to start. during this time i can briefly see the mouse (the icon is an x rather than the loading circle), and i can move it a little, but the display keeps flashing between a screen with the above error code, and a screen with the mouse about once every 2 seconds, until finally it stops completely, and a blue and white screen pops up covered in odd symbols and says:

The display server has been shut down about 6 times in the last 90 seconds. It is likely that something bad is going on.
Waiting for 2 minutes before trying again on display :0.

I assumed the problem was that ubuntu just wasnt happy with my graphics card, so i tested the same distro cd on a friend's computer with a similar setup as mine, but it worked great on his computer. I then thought that maybe the graphics card was bad, so i swapped cards with my friend, but the distro cd still worked on his, and still gave me the same error on mine, even with his graphics card. At this, i assumed that the mobo was bad, so i did an RMA and had it replaced because it was still under warranty. I even did likewise with the graphics card just to be sure. i just got my new hardware a few days ago, tried it again, and still i get the same problem. I ran memtest and let it go through all tests 2 full times, and it passed both times. the distro cd passed the hash check, and the 'check cd for defects' check on the boot menu, and i have sucessfully used it several times since on several different computers.

Here are the specs on my system:
Custom box (currently) running Windows XP Pro
AMD Athlon 64 x2 5600+
MSI K9N Neo v3 mobo
ATI Radeon HD 2600XT graphics card
2GB 533 RAM
Sound Blaster Audigy HD 24bit PCI sound card
Linksys Wireless G PCI wireless card
2 HDD--
   -Seagate 160GB SATA 3.0 (system HDD)
   -Samsung 500GB SATA 3.0 (General storage)

i have sucessfully been able to boot my system with the live cd before when i was using a Radeon X1050 graphics card, with no other hardware different. This problem has outsmarted me completely, and im hoping somebody else may be able to help me out. thanks in advance!

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AFarris01
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C de-Avillez (hggdh2) said : 		#1

Hi,

The "bcm43xx: Error: Microcode "bcm43xx_microcode5.fw" not available or load failed" is not the cause of the problem. This message simply states that udev found a card that should use the bcm32xx driver -- your linksys wireless card, specifically --, and tried to load the microcode for it, but did not find it. For this error, see http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#devicefirmware for steps on getting the microcode.

You real problem is that the X server is failing to start.

Best option, I guess will be:

0. boot in recovery mode

* reconfigure X to run with a VGA card instead of the ATI driver;

1. on the prompt, run 'dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg', then accept all values (but select the correct driver)

* go on to normal usage

2. type 'exit', or hit <Control>D (press Control and 'D'); this will put you back to standard init
3. after X starts, login normally

* select correct video driver

4. run the Restricted Driver Manager (on Gnome I *think* it is under System in the menu), and select whatever it suggests for the video card.
5. reboot, or restart X.

You should be set now.

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AFarris01 (afarris01) said : 		#2

question about the method:

i haven't installed ubuntu yet because i can't get into x, but would it be possible to do a install via text and reset the restricted driver that way?

and i dont have an onboard vga, so would that mean that if i were to do it in the manner you suggested, id have to swap my cards, then boot, download and install ati's drivers, then shut down, stick in my new card, and reboot?

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AFarris01 (afarris01) said : 		#3

also...when i tested the distro cd on a friend's computer, we have the same graphics card...but it worked flawlessly on his compy, whereas on mine...well, you know....even when we switched cards, it behaved the same...any ideas on why this may be? cause it likes my mobo with my old graphics card, and it likes my friendss mobo and the new graphics card...but it just doesnt like my mobo and graphics card together...

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C de-Avillez (hggdh2) said : 		#4

You could select the VGA driver on install (instead of defaulting to the ATI one). I am not sure about a text install, but I do not think this is the problem -- you state you got the error when booting, either safe or normal. You can boot Ubuntu in text mode, by selecting the recovery mode of the boot loader.

Also, the VGA driver is the universal X driver. All card will support it, since it does not use any fancy features. It is also quite limited. There is no need to swap video cards.

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C de-Avillez (hggdh2) said : 		#5

Some more -- you typed your second reply while I was typing mine...

You can always install the Ubuntu alternate image instead of the standard desktop one. I have never been able to install the normal one because I use LVM, and the standard install does (or did) not support it. At least on the alternate, you can select a different X video driver. This is the point where you would select VGA -- which will get you 800x600, or less, in terms of resolution, but will allow you to run X.

For Gutsy, the alternate image filename is ubuntu-7.10-alternate-amd64.iso.

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AFarris01 (afarris01) said : 		#6

thanks for the last suggestion...i ill try downloading that and see how it goes, then post back with results.

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AFarris01 (afarris01) said : 		#7

ok, turns out the problem wasnt my graphics card at all. turns out that my PSU was a POS and has begun to crap out (it's a month old), so not enough power was getting to the graphics card to allow for a smooth start. i appreciate all your suggestions though!