Ubuntu

Trying to use BCM4318 Wireless in Ubuntu 8.04

Asked by Bill Ellis

This seems to be a well-understood problem, but I have been unable to find a solution I can implement. Ubuntu apparently tries automatically to download an appropriate driver and to extract firmware from it using b43-fwcutter. However, this fails as, without the wireless card functioning, I have no internet connection on this Dell Inspiron 7000 laptop. Interestingly, Puppy Linux 4.0 recognizes and configures the card for use right out of the box. Here's my question: Is there some way I can port the driver that Puppy Linux uses successfully over to Ubuntu? Or alternatively, is there a way to use the internet connection I have while running Puppy Linux in order to download, extract and install the firmware I need into Ubuntu? If anyone has any other help, I would be very grateful!

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arochester (arochester) said : 		#1

Look at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=201902&highlight=broadcom+4306+wireless+feisty

It says DON'T use fwcutter because it has a speed of 11Mps whereas ndiswrapper has a speed of 54 Mps.

Can you connect your laptop temporarily by wire?

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Bill Ellis (wbellis) said : 		#2

Thank you for responding!

No, I have not been successful in trying to get Ubuntu to recognize my ethernet PCMCIA card either. I tried to connect it by wire, but the card (Dell Fast Ethernet Model 3CCFE575BT-D) was not recognized.

I'm most eager to get Ubuntu working on this laptop, as I have already installed it on my office desktop. It is up and running there -- and I love it.

Bill Ellis
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: arochester
  To: <email address hidden>
  Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 11:42 AM
  Subject: Re: [Question #46671]: Trying to use BCM4318 Wireless in Ubuntu 8.04

  Your question #46671 on Ubuntu changed:
  https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/46671

      Status: Open => Needs information

  arochester requested for more information:
  Look at
  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=201902&highlight=broadcom+4306+wireless+feisty

  It says DON'T use fwcutter because it has a speed of 11Mps whereas
  ndiswrapper has a speed of 54 Mps.

  Can you connect your laptop temporarily by wire?

  --
  To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
  this email or enter your reply at the following page:
  https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/46671

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Thomas Kluyver (takluyver) said : 		#3

Use ndiswrapper. I've got a broadcom 4318, and the b43 driver fails regularly and has to be reset. I don't recommend it, at least for Hardy.

Can you help with this problem?

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