dpkg: error processing firmware-b43-installer (--configure): subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 8 -> Wireless Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN [14e4:4311] not working on Dell Inspiron 6400 in Ubuntu 12.04

Asked by Monica Kelley

Just installed Ubuntu 12.04 as dual boot on Dell Inspiron 6400. Wireless internet won't work because of broadcom drivers (I have a 4311). When I try to install fireware-b43-installer, get "package firmware-b43-installer 1:015-9 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 8".
[I installed 12.04, tried to installed additional drivers and got an error message. I ran the update, which completed, than tried the additional drivers again. Then I had no ethernet or wireless. I range "sudo modprobe b43" and it hung up. Not sure what I did next that gave me ethernet access, but still no wireless.]

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Ubuntu b43-fwcutter Edit question
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Monica Kelley
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Ubfan (ubfan1) said :
#1

Try installing the linux-firmware-nonfree package, that should make a 4311 work.

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Monica Kelley (monicakelley) said :
#2

Still get the same error message...

HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 403 Forbidden
2013-07-26 18:15:50 ERROR 403: Forbidden.

dpkg: error processing firmware-b43-installer (--configure):
 subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 8
Setting up linux-firmware-nonfree (1.11ubuntu2) ...
Errors were encountered while processing:
 firmware-b43-installer
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

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Ubfan (ubfan1) said :
#3

Looks like the problem was with the other package (firmware-b43-installer). Look in the /lib/firmware directory for a b43 directory with the firmware files, if they exist, try turning off wireless, (left click on the wireless icon) then on again, or reboot if that doesn't work. network-manager should scan networks and have the list when you left click on the wireless icon,so you can select yours.

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said :
#4

It looks like you yre having problems witht he download.
You can switch the Download server under Software Center → Edit → Software sources → Download from
or you can download the right .deb file for your architecture (i386 or amd64) from https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/precise/+package/linux-firmware-nonfree and install manually.

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Monica Kelley (monicakelley) said :
#5

Got it working. In trying to follow the recommendations above, I got a message that a later version of the driver already existed, so I used synaptic manager to remove the bcm packages that were installed, tried again and still got the same message. Then I went to some instructions I found on zyxware technologies website about this issues and followed their directions. I am using wireless as I type. Thanks for the help!