Broadcom bcm43xx
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Mint 5 (Elyssa) ndiswrapper Howto
There has been some problems with the new Mint 5 and Broadcom Wifi. This Wiki is based on this post:
I use the ndiswrapper driver because I find it a lot faster, picks up more networks and overall much more stable than the fwcutter driver option. To do this you need the driver package file.
All in one install tarball
I have created a tarball ("zipped" up files) that includes everything you need for an offline setup (driver files, wicd .deb package and a script to do all the work for you). This tarball is 600 kb, and should get you online without any additional downloaded files making a new install easy to get online. I will post this file online once I figure out how to post it on here. Feel free to contact me Arron in the forum post listed above for the file.
If you do run this file, You will just have to set Wicd to run at startup, the final setup step [here]
Manual Install
If you wish you can continue below with the manual install. The above script *should* do all this for you.
First you need the driver files, you can get the driver files here:
- note * the included Dell Broadcom driver found in /usr/lib/linuxmint/mintWifi/drivers/ does not play nice with my laptop. It would be nice to get these generic drivers get included into Elyssa along with the other wifi drivers,
cd ~ wget http://roberthallam.com/wmp54gs.tgz tar -xzf wmp54gs.tgz
Now it should be unpacked in your home dir.
Now you need to install the ndis driver, use the "Windows Wireless Drivers" gui in the Control Center, or if you want it quick run:
ndiswrapper -i wirelessdriver/WMP54GS.inf
Now we need to load the ndiswrapper module in a specific order, to do so we will need to create a startup script:
sudo gedit /etc/init.d/wirelessfix.sh
Post these lines into that file:
#!/bin/bash modprobe -r b44 modprobe -r b43 modprobe -r b43legacy modprobe -r ssb modprobe -r ndiswrapper modprobe ndiswrapper modprobe b44
Almost there, now we need to make this executable, and set it to run at startup:
cd /etc/init.d/ && sudo chmod 755 wirelessfix.sh sudo update-rc.d wirelessfix.sh defaults
This should work now, try to restart your pc, or run that script you just made:
sudo /etc/init.d/wirelessfix.sh
You should be up and running. If your wireless light comes on, then off, your in the same boat as me. I had to do a couple more small items to connect...
Further problems, Gnome network manager vs Wicd
The problem with my setup was the gnome network manager. I never was to crazy on this from day one, and with Mint XFCE I got turned onto wicd. wicd replaces the gnome network manager managing your connection. I find it much more responsive, can run scripts and overall much more dynamic and stable.
To install this app you need to add a couple lines your sources list for apt:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Add these couple lines to the end of it:
## Repository for Wicd deb http://apt.wicd.net hardy extras
And now install wicd, after a update (you will need to connect to the web for this, use a hard wire or download the package file seperatly):
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install wicd
And bingo, if all went well it should now be installed.
No we need to add Wicd to system startup (this step needs to be added for the script setup). To add the tray icon go to Control Center -> Sessions, then the Startup programs tab, unlock it then add:
Name: WICD Tray Icon Command: /opt/wicd/tray.py Comment: This will startup the WICD network manager.
Now you will need to reboot due to gnome network manager still holding some permissions.
After reboot you should see a icon in the bottom left and be ready to rock and roll!
Mint 4 and Below
Installing Broadcom bcm43xx Wifi into the kernel from firmware
Based on instructions from How to: Broadcom Wireless - Ubuntu Forums Please refer to article for additional considerations.
1) Install bcm43xx-fwcutter
- sudo apt-get install bcm43xx-fwcutter
2) Copy your windows driver to your desktop
Option a) download http://sidulus.textdrive.com/bcmwl5sys.zip and extract it to your desktop.
- cd ~/Desktop
- wget http://sidulus.textdrive.com/bcmwl5sys.zip
Option b) Obtain bcmwl5.sys from the manufactures windows driver, probably in the DRIVER folder containing an .ini file
3) Extract your Cards firmware from the driver
- sudo bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware/`uname -r` ~/Desktop/bcmwl5.sys
- sudo bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware/ ~/Desktop/bcmwl5.sys
4) Reboot
- sudo reboot
5) Right Click on the network config utility next to your system clock and find an available network
Known Working Wireless Cards:
- Dell 1350 Wirelesss (Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 03))
Installing Broadcom bcm43xx Wifi using ndiswrapper and windows driver
1) Obtain the windows binary driver by going to the manufactures website. Copy the url and enter like the following. Then extract.
wget -c http://ftp.us.dell.com/network/R140747.EXE unzip -a R140747.EXE
2) Disable half-implimintation from the kernel of the bcm43xx chipset. Enter one line at a time.
sudo su echo "blacklist bcm43xx" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist cat /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
3) Select your ndiwrapper tool and and add the driver, or browse to your file and manually type:
cd /DRIVER sudo ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf sudo ndiswrapper -l sudo ndiswrapper -m sudo modprobe ndiswrapper
4) If you see blinking lights, preeceede. If not, restart. Then try:
sudo iwlist scanning
