Ubuntu
b43-fwcutter package

Can't setup wifi on ubuntu 11.04

Asked by Ryan Lee on 2011-07-15

I just installed ubuntu 11.04 and I can't connect to the internet. If I click on the wifi icon in the top right, the "Wireless Networks" button is disabled and below it a button reads, "device not ready (firmware missing)". Do I need to install some sort of firmware to enable my internet? Only 45 minutes ago, I had Windows XP and connected to my home wifi fine, as my ipod is also currently connected. The wifi enabling switch on the side of my laptop is also enabled.

Question information

Language:: English Edit question

Status:: Answered

For:: Ubuntu b43-fwcutter Edit question

Assignee:: No assignee Edit question

Last query:: 2011-07-15

Last reply:: 2011-07-15

Link existing bug

Revision history for this message

Riley Pottie (r-pottie90) said on 2011-07-15:

I'm having the same issue!

Revision history for this message

Ryan Lee (stavvie34) said on 2011-07-15:

just fixed the problem by doing more investigating. Here's how I fixed it for me:

I had to manually install a driver and its required prerequisite.

http://packages.ubuntu.com/natty/admin/bcmwl-kernel-source

you may need to install dkms as well here: http://packages.ubuntu.com/natty/dkms

I had to put both these files onto my iPod and use it as a usb device.

Transfer the files from usb to ubuntu computer and install files accordingly.

Let me know how it goes.

Revision history for this message

Sam_ (and-sam) said on 2011-07-15:

This rather happens when there is no LAN cable connected for internet access, as advised from installation page.
It can't download wl drivers, which need to be downloaded manually then and everything else needs to be updated too after installation.
Same may happen on distri upgrades, during the procedure it disconnects network-manager, only resuming from LAN.
Connect with LAN cable, open a terminal: ctrl+alt+t
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo reboot