Ubuntu

BCM4312 wireless chipset not working in Ubuntu 8.10

Asked by kschmitt

I see wireless networks, but can not connect.

I'm using an HP MiniNote 2133, with an onboard Broadcom BCM4312 802.11a/b/g wireless adapter. I've heard numerous reports that the ndis wrappers work with this chipset, and indeed, ubuntu downloaded the driver & requisite parts for me automatically. The problem is, it won't connect to anything.

I see wireless networks, and the system attempts to connect, but it never succeeds. I've tried setting my router's and laptop's settings to WPA, WPA2 and WEP, but none connected. I also tried to do an open unauthenticated network, but the GUI wouldn't let me connect without giving a password, even though the network needed none (verified on a second laptop), and there was no place to enter one.

I know that this card works with the standard in-kernel linux driver without ndiswrapper, but I wanted to do things the right ubuntu way, to really give this distro a shot. I don't mind going it on my own and configing a kernel, but that seems like a hitting a thumbtack with a jackhammer.

--Kyle

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Matthew Lye (matthew.lye) said : 		#1

ndis wrappers use a windows driver to run the wireless withthin linux. The driver ubuntu downloads is a native driver, and some of the have problems. Unfortunately wireless is still one of the largest problems with Linux and often an NDIS wrapper is the best way, thats why its use is so common.

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kschmitt (kyleaschmitt) said : 		#2

Yes, I know this, and I'm using ndiswrapper right now, but it won't connect.
Ubuntu downloaded the driver & firmware, loaded it, and I can _see_ networks, but not connect. I need help connecting.

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#3

Hi,

I recommend following the procedure here to install the Broadcom STA drivers instead:

http://www.technixupdate.com/configure-wi-fi-in-ubuntu-intrepid-ibex-with-broadcom-network-adapter/

Also take a look here:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam/HP2133

Regards,

Mark

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kschmitt (kyleaschmitt) said : 		#4

Mark, isn't that the ndiswrapper driver? Thats the driver that I installed, I assumed it was the ndis one.

So far I've had zero luck connecting using it, but it sees all the other networks. Can you think of any possibilities to fix this thing?

--Kyle

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#5

Hi,

No, the Broadcom STA drivers have nothing to do with ndiswrapper. I recommend avoiding ndiswrapper and using Broadcom STA drivers instead. This was mentioned on https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam/HP2133

Regards,

Mark

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#6

Hi,

Here's another installation guide:

http://djkaos.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/installing-broadcom-80211-linux-sta-driver/

Regards,

Mark

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kschmitt (kyleaschmitt) said : 		#7

OK, so maybe it's not the wireless driver then. What else could interfere in a way that causes you to see the networks, but not be able to connect to them? And yes, multiple attempts, with multiple network configs were tried, see original message.

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kschmitt (kyleaschmitt) said : 		#8

OK I fixed it. To clear things up, I was never using the NDIS driver, I was always using the proprietary Broadcom STA driver. Removing that driver, and then downloading and installing the firmware to use the in kernel driver fixed the issue.

I'd like to note that the "Hardware Drivers" incorrectly identifies the firmware for the in-kernel B43 driver as a driver. It should say "firmware to use the standard driver" or something to that affect.

Again, for anyone having trouble with the wireless on an hp mini-note 2133, disable STA, grab the firmware, and use the standard driver.

Out of curiosity, Mark, which machine are you successfully using the STA driver on?

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Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#9

Hi Kyle,

Glad to hear your wireless issue is solved.

To answer your question: I'm not using the Broadcom STA driver on any of my computers, because I do not have any Broadcom based wireless cards, thank goodness! ;-)

Regards,

Mark