After
a HDD failure my wife asked for a Linux distribution (!) for her old HP
dv5000 laptop. I picked Linux Mint due to its multimedia friendliness
and restricted firmware support.
Funny enough it didn't attach a driver to the wireless chipset nor offered one through
the restricted firmware pop-up.
lspci allowed me to identify the chipset, a Broadcom BCM4318
wireless device:
$ sudo lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS480 Host Bridge (rev 01)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS480 PCI Bridge
00:05.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS480 PCI Bridge
00:13.0 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 USB Host Controller
00:13.1 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 USB Host Controller
00:13.2 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 USB2 Host Controller
00:14.0 SMBus: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 SMBus Controller (rev 11)
00:14.1 IDE interface: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 IDE Controller
00:14.3 ISA bridge: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 PCI-ISA Bridge
00:14.4 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 PCI-PCI Bridge
00:14.5 Multimedia audio controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP SB400 AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:14.6 Modem: ATI Technologies Inc SB400 AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 02)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon XPRESS 200M 5955 (PCIE)
06:02.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce 54g] 802.11a/b/g PCI Express Transceiver (rev 02)
06:04.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx21/x515 Cardbus Controller
06:04.2 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
06:04.3 Mass storage controller: Texas Instruments PCIxx21 Integrated FlashMedia Controller
06:04.4 SD Host controller: Texas Instruments PCI6411/6421/6611/6621/7411/7421/7611/7621 Secure Digital Controller
06:06.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
To fix the problem run the following commands:
$ sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter
$ wget http://mirror2.openwrt.org/sources/broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2
$ tar xf broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2
$ cd broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5/driver/
$ sudo b43-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware/ wl_apsta_mimo.o
$ sudo modprobe b43
$ sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules
With this we've installed the proper driver and added it at boot time.
Bottom line: there's so much a pretty GUI can do ;)
98 comments:
Thanks for the incredibly helpful blog!! I put Mint 12 on an elderly Toshiba Satellite 1905 (don't ask) with a similarly aged Linksys PCMCIA network card, and Mint didn't pick it up. This absolutely solved my problem! PS: I encountered unanswered questions along this line all over the place in the process of researching, and I'm pointing others to your post!!
Hi Curtis,
Glad to help out and thanks for the feedback.
Best regards.
Dude you really saved my bacon. Been around a while in the computer biz, but never really messed with linux. I was knocking myself in the head trying to get this to work on an old inspiron 8500 I had laying around the workshop.
Welcome to the Unix-like world :)
Thanks for the feedback.
Easy to follow tip! Thanks a lot. You definitely saved me a lot of time and anguish.
For a Linux newbie installing Mint on an old Inspiron 1300, this is great...but when I get to the last command, I get this...
$ sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules
bash: /etc/modules: Permission denied
Help?
@ jagripton
Then simply edit /etc/modules as root and add b43 to it.
Linux Mint 14 MATE on HP Pavilion DV 5000 with Broadcom BCM4318 : did not work.
All fine during installation/configuration but netcard still not visible to the operating system and still not usable. Giving up (it stopped working with Linux Mint 12, one year ago, so...).
Hi Alex,
This HowTo was executed on Mint 12 was it worked perfectly fine for that release.
I haven't used Mint ever since so can't provide any help.
Best regards.
Just tried this on a Dell Latitude D410 running Ubuntu 12.04 - worked a treat, thanks! I've tried multiple times to get WiFi working on this lappy over the past 6 months, this is the first advice that actually worked, thanks!
This worked perfect...You Sir are a GodSend...
Linux Mint 14 Cinnamon - on a HP DV8000 Laptop - lspci showed wireless broadcom BCM4318 -
Install didnt see the chipset. This worked perfectly. Gave me an error /etc/modules : permission denied... I did su and repasted it in. Ifconfig saw wlan0 with no ip. From su typed reboot and when it came it had an IP and works fine.
Really nice when someone that knows takes a few mins to save the rest of us tons of time. Thanks again
Thank you :-)
I can't begin to thank you enough. It is very nice to have those that have share with those of us that don't.
Much thanks - this worked like a charm to get a 2Wire card working on an old HP ze4200 with Linux Mint 14.
btw, as a previous commenter pointed out, if you get "permission denied," just type "su" at the command line, enter your pwd, then try the command again.
Thanks for all the posts, worked great on a Dell 2200 Inspiron with Bodhi 2.2.0
Thank you so much :) !!
Hi same issue same fix with same fix plus the su and reboot. Custom build i7 quad core. tangram is my hero
Cheers
chipppy
rsadowy:
This was really great but I had the same problem with the last command as jagripton:
$ sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules
bash: /etc/modules: Permission denied
I was working on a Dell Inspiron 1300 running Linux Mint 14.1 with the Cinnamon desktop.
The fix by tangram:
"Then simply edit /etc/modules as root and add b43 to it." seems simple.
But being a newbie I don;t understand what he is saying. Help please - on how to do this & also what are we trying to do here?
Ps: Feeling frustrated, I just rebooted & the wireless worked fine but I'd like to execute the whole procedure!!
Use su to change to root and re-enter the command.
rsadowy:
Did the following-
$ su [username]
password: [password]
$ cd /
$ /sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules
bash: /etc/modules: Permission denied
Did I do the right thing (super newbie)?
Straight from su man page: "su - change user ID or become superuser. The su command is used to become another user during a login session."
If you type su yourusername then you've change to yourusername. You want to issue su with no argument so that it changes you to the superuser.
Don't blindly copy & paste command, research them to understand what they do and can be used.
4013Thank you tangram. I will take your advice to heart & end blind copying. Also, completed procedure with no errors.
Thanks a lot!
You saved my day :)
Being a newbie: I followed your instructions carefully. Worked perfectly on 1st computer. On 2nd computer, I had issues: By the time I got to the final command, I received "Permission Denied." OK, so I typed su and entered my password. All went well this time around, except the computer still wouldn't see the internal wifi card. Rebooted and nothing happened. I remembered having removed the CMOS battery previously. This caused the wifi card to be disabled in the system bios. After enabling the wifi card through the system bios of old compaq laptop (f10 key), I followed your instructions --but this time as a "su" from the beginning. I clicked on the connections button on the tool bar, enabled wifi, and behold, the blue wifi light on the keyboard began to shine. I believe that version 11 of the Ubuntu flavors was the last that would detect this chipset on this computer. Trying to install bcm4318 on Lubuntu 13 will cause the sytem to crash. Thank you so much for your help.
Hello, when I get to the last line ($ sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules) I get bash: /etc/modules Is a directory.
Any suggestions please?
Most likely because this HowTo applies to Mint 12 and you're applying it to recent release.
Thanks Tangram. I love the principle of linux/mint etc (free computing!), and I have managed thanks to a comment here: http://goo.gl/zttVs. Your instructions got the correct driver down, but access through the start menu (if I can call it that) did the trick. Are most Linux users coders/command line users? The windows 'norm' of clicking icons needs to be addressed before Linux will dominate (if that's the goal). Is this Pie-in-the-Sky? I have no idea!
Anonymous Newbie from above: I just used your instructions on new install of Linux Mint 15. Worked Perfectly. Just had to be "SU" like the last time (on Mint 14). Thanks !
hi,
i installed linux mint olivia on my system when the internet cable is connecting system it showing that connected, but i can't get browsing it showing no internet pls fix my problem.
Hey Reddy.pariwar,
Thanks for posting.
I'm sorry to put it this way but this blog isn't a support forum.
If your problem were strictly related to the how-to I might help but it seems unrelated (it doesn't help that you've provided no details on the problem except from saying it doesn't work).
Also do notice that this specific post was executed on Mint 12... you are using Mint 15.
I'd suggested going to Mint's forum _clearly_ stating your problem (posting system information such as lspci -vv, lspci -k and lsmod would help) and ask for help there.
Best of luck.
Regards,
Ricardo Jesus.
Muchas gracias, en Linux Mint 15 MATE, esta es una completa solución :)
Thank you so much, in Linux Mint 15 MATE, this is fully solution :)
Awesome! Dell Inspiron 1300 on Mint 15, I also got the permission denied...and right at the last step!!! But, yeah, just type su and hit enter, give it your password and re-try the command. Reboot...not sure if I needed to, but I'm used to windows, so couldn't hurt. Unplug my Ethernet and BOOM! Wireless networks available!
Thanks so much!
Thanks , you are the greatest : )
I tried and searched to get an old hp 4000 working and your advice worked fine , i am a linux newbie so thank you very much : )
You made my day!!
thank you very much. u saved me.
Ok, so seriously I've gone through SEVERAL distros and versions, with my BCM4318 card. Only one Gentoo strain called Sabayon actually fired up my card from the start. But then I ran into many other issues with Gentoo.
Anyway this fix worked great on my Gateway 6440 (amd 64 chipset). This worked in Linux Mint 16. Now I have hope again to learn some other stuff about Linux. Thanks everyone
I had an old Dell Latitude D510 with Linux Mint 16. Spent 3 weeks trying to get my WIFI to work. Stumbled on to your blog and BOOM!
My WIFI now works. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
Hi,
Just like the previous poster, John B., I also spent a lot of time on an old Dell Latitude D510, trying to get WiFi to work in several distro's ...
Until I stumbled upon Mint 16 and this post ...
Yeeeehah & a little dance ... ;)
Thank you very much for your excellent contribution to the world (of Linux) !!!
Freddy
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.
Though I must say this is quite weird.. I mean this was a problem with Mint 12 which is now quite a few years old, it's a pity people still are having a problem 4 releases down the road.
Best regards.
After hours and hours of searching, this is what worked for me. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for posting this.
For the benefit of Google, I'd like to include this phrase in this comment: Enable wireless for an HP DV8000 dv1225ca Broadcom 4318.
I did need to edit /etc/modules as you recommended above. Thanks for that tidbit, too!
It really works! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I was tearing my hair out over this problem! Thanks again!
I have also V5000 compaq laptop. My problem is ethernet connection is broken. That's why I would like my wifi connection to work. All solutions proposed needs to hava connection. By the way, I don(t have yet. How to solve my problem.
Thanks for help
Download the files from a computer with working network connection. Don't forget the dependencies.
Thanks Tangram, but I'm not so good with linux, reason why I choosed linux mint, wich install everything by itself. I use it on my desktop, it's a real pleasure without a terminal to open. That's why also I'd like to install it on my old laptop.
Now, what you tell me is a big challenge for me. What to download, where, wich dependencies, and I guess that after downloading, there's a special way to install it. You've got a starter who ask for learning.
So, if you have time and if your keyboard isn't occupied... you are welcome !
What you're asking is well outside the scope of this howto.
I don't have a working Mint installation to give you copy & paste step. All I can do you is to point you in the right direction which I did.
Some additional pointers:
- make sure your wireless card does in fact a Broadcom BCM4318 or some other supported by the b43 kernel module (you don't want to all this work for nothing);
- check apt-get man page for the option to download a package and its dependencies;
- from a computer (or vm) running Mint use said apt-get command to download b43-fwcutter and the required dependencies;
- download with wget broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2;
- transfer the files to the target laptop;
- run the post's remaining steps
Not its up to you to get in there and get your hands dirty ;)
Thanks a lot. Your installation guide works on linux mint 16 too, but I have to add "b43" manually to /etc/modules. Probably it is neccessary to edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-bmc43.conf because "b43" and "bcm43xx" are blacklisted. I have deactivated those entrees days before I found your helpfull hints.
Thanks for post.Very new to Linux.Your guide worked perfectly for broadcom card on old Toshiba laptop that I am using to try out a Linux distribution installed to hard disk.
THANK U SOOOOO Much
This is a GREAT post, thank you so much for sharing.
I am a fresh newbie trying to use Linux Mint16 and running that from a CD. At the moment I am running XP, like it but as we all know we have to upgrade. As a stubborn old fart I choose to go to Linux, looks good to me so far and it will serve my purposes. But I can not connect to the Internet (yet).
I am working on it for over a week now (I am retired) and I finally found this blog and was very thrilled that when I give in the lspci command my machine (HP DV8000,dv8225nr)comes up with exactly the same parameters as tangram is showing. So out of XP and starting Linux again and give in the commands as mentioned at the top.
I could install the b-43 fwcutter, no problem.
The next command line wget etc...does not work with me. It says failed: name or server not known, unable to resolve host address "mirror2.openwrt.org"
What do I do wrong???
Thanks for the feedback.
Are you sure that wget doesn't resolve? Basically what wget does is retrieve the file from the given URL.
I've just tried to retrieve the file and it's working perfectly.
Either way you can always Google for broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2 and I'm sure you'll find other sources.
Best regards,
tangram.
Rolf,
I've downloaded the file and made it public by sharing via Copy.com at https://copy.com/CFc3R9RHpsWl.
Hope it helps.
This was the only solution tip that i ever could use and it worked! God bless you tangram ! I admire your knowledge. I tried 3 days and all the tips and tricks on every site and nothing helped except your solution tip. L. Finch
Tangram,
Thanks for the fast reaction!!
I looked at the copy.com with your code but There is nothing.
I downloaded the broadcom etc,etc and put it in the Home place on Linux, but I do not know how to access it in the linux terminal.I understand now that the http// address did not work because I am not on line. How can I get the file from my Home in Linux with wget?
Remember I am still a newbie (and extremely stubborn).
Well.. the link us working. I just pointed the web browser and it downloaded just fine.
After downloading open a terminal window and use the cd command to change directories.
If you're uncomfortable with this you can always use a graphical file manager and extract the archive with graphical archive manager according to your desktop environment.
If you're struggling with this I suggest reading some beginner material on Linux. This however is beyond the scope of this how-to.
Best of luck.
Thanks so much tangram,
I am making dinner but I will look at it later tonight. Where do you get the energy to tell these ignorant users what to do??. But you saved my day I did get some (very little insight how it works).
Thanks so much Tangram,
I am coming there i was able to give all the suggested commands in and it went pretty good.
Only the last command line (echo "n43 etc gives me an access denied, when I try to go to root (by giving the su (and enter) command it asks for a password?? Which I never use and hardly ever make.
But that's another topic which doesn't belong here.I will find out.
One again many THANKS!!
Hi,
It seems to be a problem that others posters came across. Just edit /etc/modules as root and add b43 as covered in previous posts.
Do take notice that this Howto was created a years ago on Mint 12 so there might be steps that need change.
Best of luck,
tangram.
I've just installed Linux Mint 16 Mate, and can't seem to get the networking to work. lspci says my network controller is Intel PRO/wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05). Does this Broadcom thing work, for me? Do I have to get online to get online? Thanks!
Hi Linda,
That's a completely different chipset from a different manufacturer. As such this tutorial won't work for your situation.
Being an Intel chipset from circa 2002 I'm sure it's pretty well supported in Linux kernel.
Best of luck,
tangram
I managed to get this working on an Ubuntu 14.04 live USB (I wanted to see if it would work before installing) and it did. However, now that I have Ubuntu 14.04 installed, When I type in the "sudo modprobe b43" line, it just sits there doing nothing. Please help.
Hi,
Are you are the previous steps worked well? Use lsmod | grep b43 to check if the kernel module loaded successfully.
It is possible the Ubuntu repositories have the kernel module and you wouldn't need to use this how-to. Search the repositories and Ubuntu's wiki.
Best of luck,
tangram.
Tried what you suggested, the command returned nothing. Decided to try it in Mint 16 in LiveUSB mode. I get this error when installing b43-fwcutter:
lzma: (stdout): Write error: No space left on device
dpkg: error processing initramfs-tools (--configure):
subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
initramfs-tools
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
And I still have 2.4GB of space left on the USB drive. Any suggestions?
Hi,
According to others here even though the HowTo was created with Mint 12 in mind it still works for Mint 16.
Messing with LiveUSB and associated filesystems is well beyond the scope of this HowTo.
Good luck.
Thanks, your detailed instructions worked fine for HP Pavilion DV8110 laptop running Mint 17.
Such helpful advice! Have just got anti mx-14.1.1 June 18th build running on an Inspirion 1300 laptop with wireless now functioning! Keep up the great work!!
Wow, holy crap. SSOOOO glad I found this. Installed Mint 16 on my Dell D610 laptop, which had Windows 7 Ultimate up until a few days ago. Win started bugging out on me (too much in the way of malware for some reason...hhmmm...) so I figured it was finally time to try Linux! Took a little bit to get the wireless figured out, and this was definitely a learning experience! I've dabbled some in the file structure of my Android phones, and now I see how similar the basic architecture is with Linux.
Again, thank you Tangram for the walkthrough. I can now leave the bedroom. ;)
Houmed
thank you, this helped me alot.... am on Mint 17 and so far so good :D
Thank You! very helpful worked a treat.
Brilliant, I have been trying to get mint 17 wireless working for weeks. This cracked it for me on an old Acer5101.
Many thanks
I am soooooooo grateful!! I've given up before on Broadcom chips, but this time found your blog. Google is our friend. Mint 17 Cinnamon 32 bit on an old Acer Aspire 5100. Broadcom model # BCM94318MPG [14E4:4318].
Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your instruction on how to enable my wireless network card and get drivers for my DEll and Gateway laptop, it has tremendously help me with less effort with my Mint 17. TKS!
Thanks for the feedback Dave.
Hello Tangram,
When I give the command sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules, I get "Permission denied." When I type "su" I am prompted for my password, which I give.
Then, I get "#"
I'm a newbie and just cannot make this out.
Hey,
You should read the comments in this post as the question isn't new...
If the prompt changed from $ to # you've most likely changed to root. You can confirm that by running the whoami command.
After changing to root simply edit /etc/modules and add b43 to it. In alternative use echo "b43" >> /etc/modules to add b43 to the end of the /etc/modules file.
This is basic Linux/Unix stuff... honestly you should read some online resources on concept and basic of Unix-like systems before copy&pasting commands that you know what they do.
Regards.
Tangram, thank you so much for your patience and professionalism. You solved my problem. I merely had to open my eyes and see.
Thank You Very Much for these commands!!! Before my wireless would not even turn on. Now it turn on automatically when the pc boots up with WIFI. Thanks Again!!!
hey Tangram ...
you are great man after one week of useless effort (googling) finally your tricks works for me you will be
astonised to know that i am using MX 14.3 (debian) Not LINUX MINT . In MX forum they suggeste me
so many tricks but all in vain and desparately i wanted to swich my distro but your helping hand/tricks is
so easy and smiple not like mx forum. love you man
love your job too. i am so happy today. i don't know you will see or not this post but if you see
then plz reply me ( ruhulhasan99@yahoo.com ). so that i get perceive you viewed my post ....thanks again.
After much searching I came across this and it worked on my Compaq Presario V5000.
This works under Zorin 9 Lite and Elementary OS
Thanks again
Hi guys,
Very helpful on Linux Mint 13 Maya Mate 32bits for HP Pavilion DV5000 (5037EA).
Merci beaucoup! ;o)
Thank you very much for the info and your help. I searched a lot and tried a lot but your help was decisive. Thanks again.
Looks like your method is still going strong, thru Mint 17.0 anyway. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort in posting something that worked, and for following up on it for us Dummies/Newbies.
I have been around DOS/Windows for over 30 years, but am new to Unix/Linux. I installed Linux several months back and have fiddled with getting Wi-Fi thru the PCMCIA Card on and off ever since. THIS WORKED LIKE A CHARM, FIRST TIME!
Hardware: Toshiba Satellite A45-S120 (Circa 2004??) with new Battery and Hard Drive
O/S: Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon 32-bit
Network Controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller (LinkSys PCMCIA).
Thanks again!
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated :-)
Worked on Linux Mint 17.2 installed on HP-Compac nx1625
Used su in last line in place of sudo
Thanks - much appreciated
Hero!! Thanks - worked on a Compaq Presario c542ea
Woohoo!
As of Mint 17.3 "Rosa", this still works.
Successfully Used to enable Broadcom chip in Compaq Presario V2000.
Thank you very much!
Installed Mint 17.2 on a Presario v5000, no wifi after installation. This post is by far the best way to fix it. I found the Broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2 at
https://downloads.openwrt.org/sources/broadcom-wl-4.150.10.5.tar.bz2.
Thanks so much for this post,
David
Glad it helped:) Best regards.
Que Maravilla de tutorial, bien explicado, clarito. Muchas gracias, me sacaste de un apuro, apenas y por primer vez me dio por instalar LinuxMint en laptop viejito Acer Aspire 6310A y no lograba ni sabia como diablos instalaba el controlador de la red wifi. jejeje..y quiero aprender mucho de linux, siempre aferrado al Windows pero veo que esta plataforma es mejor y voy a empezar a conocer de linux y de personas tan especiales como ustedes. Mil y Mil Gracias.
Desde Medellin Colombia: Jorge Castrillon.
I completed a successful installation of Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa MATE on a 2005 Gateway laptop, but could not enable wifi until I followed your instructions which worked perfectly. I am a super Linux novice.
Thank you, very much!
Thank you very much for this fix.
I am very new to Linux. (three days in to be precise) and getting the wifi to work has caused all kinds of hanging and crashes, re installing etc.
To any newbies like me attempting to just copy and paste the above code. The '$' prompt at the start of each line needs to be edited out. (yes, I'm that clueless).
Thanks again. Much appreciated.
And thank for making me remember when I started with Linux ~10 years ago:)
Just take your time and enjoy the ride.
Thank you
Still Works. HP pavillion zd8000. Ubuntu Mate 16.04.
Became root by typing: "sudo -i"
(Only needed for the last line "sudo echo "b43" >> /etc/modules")
Poul
Very good Works on acer aspire 5020
Thanks
You made my day thanks worked for me on linux mint 18.2 and my old HP easynote MZ35-V-106
thanks a lot
you are great
You saved my life today! =)
Got an old dell laptop and this wifi problem was irritating.
Thanks a lot.
It works great even with Mint/xfce 19 and my very old Amilo A3667G with a Turion64 CPU.
Thank you so much!
It worked!!! I got “Permission Denied” on the last command, but rebooted, unplugged the network cable and it connected. THANK YOU so much for this. I spent hours on this.
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