Ubuntu
gnome-nettool package

wireless driver failing to install or work on Acer Aspire One

Asked by Emma Thompson

Hi

I'm new to Linux so bare with me if I sound stupid or am asking something obvious

I have a Netbook Acer Aspire One (521) and so have choosen the Netbook version Ubuntu to install. Before I go ahead and do the full install I wanted to have a play around make sure I liked it and everything worked ok and that it was going to serve me better than the pre-installed windows 7 starter edition.

I am currently booting from USB choosing the option to try ubuntu before installing.

So now for my problem, as I have read on other sites and forums there is a reoccuring issue with wireless cards working and this is the case for me. When I have booted up the additional drivers window lets me know there are drivers available one of which is the Broadcom 802.11 STA wireless driver, I click to activate and it begins to install but when it almost appears to be complete (orange line is almost full) an error box pops up saying - System error: install archives () failed
I have also tried downloading the driver seperaltey through the ubuntu website and installing it using the windows wireless tool and although it does install this way it doesn't always recognise the hardware is present and even if it does when I try to set up a new connection to my home wireless it doesn't appear to be working.

I use computers alot and would consider myself a geek but with some of the explanations of what to do I feel a little (ok maybe a lot) out of my depth, but I don't want to let this beat me! Please help :) thanks

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu gnome-nettool Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#1

The problem is that you are trying to install Broadcom drivers during a LiveUSB (or LiveCD) session.
This will never work. Why? Because you need to REBOOT after installing the Broadcom drivers. But after rebooting and going back into the LiveUSB session, the session will simply forget about all the changes made during the previous session. That is why it is called a LiveUSB session.

So you will first need to install Ubuntu into a harddisk partition, then install the Broadcom drivers, then REBOOT and then retest wireless.

The Broadcom firmware is not part of the LiveUSB image, because it is non-free software and not allowed to be distributed as part of the default boot image (for licensing reasons).

Revision history for this message
Emma Thompson (emmathompson123) said : 		#2

I had a feeling it might be something to do with me not doing it after a full install, thanks :)

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask Emma Thompson for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.