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Thread: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
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    Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

    Lightbulb HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Hardy

    This process is vastly simplified in Hardy. The easiest way to do it is to open the Hardware Drivers program (go to the System menu in the top left corner of the screen, and click Administration, and then Hardware Drivers) and check the Broadcom B43 wireless driver box, and reboot.
    Done.

    A couple of notes about that procedure:

    It installs the b43 driver, which is semi-open source. The b43 driver works decently and will cover most peoples' wireless needs, and is easy to setup. However, you can also choose to use ndiswrapper, which will provide you with a slightly faster connection. For information on how to set that up, see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=766560.

    Those of you using WEP may also want to note:
    Quote Originally Posted by DrSpirograph
    However, you may want to mention that there seems to be a bit of a bug with the way NetworkManager handles WEP + DHCP.

    (See here https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...er/+bug/139812)

    The bug made me (and I suspect may make others) think that their card isn't working, when in fact it is.

    To work around and get WEP going, you can do the following:
    Code:
    sudoedit /etc/network/interfaces
    add the line
    iface wlan0 inet dhcp
    then, to get the network up, do the following (replacing $ESSID and $KEY with the proper ESSID and key):
    Code:
    sudo iwconfig wlan0 essid $ESSID key $KEY sudo ifup wlan0
    About

    The information below is for versions of Ubuntu older then Hardy (Gutsy, Feisty, Edgy, Dapper)

    This HOWTO is for people who have a Broadcom 4318 Wireless card in their laptop. This card can sometimes be a bit difficult to setup, so I have provided a working method (for me, anyway).

    To check if you have a Broadcom 4318 Card, open up the terminal (click the Applications button, then Accessories, and then Terminal) and run (just copy and paste the code from the code boxes throughout the HOWTO [in the terminal, this is done by right click anywhere and clicking paste, ctrl+v doesn't work])
    Code:
    lspci | grep Broadcom\ Corporation
    If your output looks similar to
    Code:
    0000:05:02.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
    or you can see the string BCM4318 in the output, then this should work for you.

    Please note that this was really designed to be run on a very fresh install, right after Ubuntu has come up for the first time. It is mostly likely to work then. If you have tried other attempts at making this card work, I have no promises for you, but it only takes two minutes, so it is worth a shot (most people can get it to work, even on a not-so-fresh install).

    The point of this HOWTO is to make it as simple as possible (not to educate people - if you want to know how this works, open the script and read it) for people who have just installed Ubuntu for the first time, so I wrote a script and have provided a set of drivers that worked for me. Not all drivers will work with ndiswrapper, so please use the ones I have provided.

    The script requires no internet connection after it is downloaded...all required files are on the CD you installed Ubuntu with, and the package manager should recognize this.

    Feisty and Gutsy

    If you post for help, please post the log file, which can be found on your Desktop after you run the script.

    You have two options (I'll try and outline them for you):

    1. Use the native bcm43xx driver. This driver is open source and included with the kernel. It can not run at any speed higher then 11mbps, is some what flaky, and supports promiscuous mode. Requires user to be somewhat close to the access point. Is a bit easier to install.
      To use the native bcm43xx driver:
      Download http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.p...8&d=1177147133 and double click it to install. Reboot. Enjoy wireless. (this should work, but if for some reason it fails, see the troubleshooting)
    2. Use ndiswrapper. ndiswrapper is open source, however the driver is not. It can run at 54mbps, is stable, and does not support promiscuous mode. I have had some trouble with it and hidden networks. Supports a large distance from the access point.

    If you aren't sure what to use and just want wireless, I suggest ndiswrapper (option 2) See section Dapper and Edgy (and Feisty/Gutsy with ndiswrapper) below.

    Dapper and Edgy (and Feisty/Gutsy with ndiswrapper)

    1. Put the CD that you installed Ubuntu with in the CD drive.
    2. Download this file to your Desktop (the Firefox default, so if you haven't changed it, that's where it went/will go).
    3. Open a terminal (click the Applications button, then Accessories, and then Terminal)
    4. Change the current directory to the desktop (copy and paste the following commands exactly into your terminal by right clicking anywhere on the terminal and clicking paste)
      Code:
      cd ~/Desktop
    5. Extract the compressed file
      Code:
      tar -xf bcm4318*.tar.gz
    6. Run the script, which will install ndiswrapper on your system, and set it up.
      Code:
      sudo ./ndiswrapper_setup
    7. Use the internet (you will have to open the System menu at the top of the screen, go to Administration, and then click Networking. Configure the interface eth1 or wlan0, and connect to your wifi network)
    8. If you are an Acer user, you will need to use the acerhk driver.
    9. If it doesn't work, reboot.
    10. If that doesn't work, read the troubleshooting section below.
    11. If you still can't make it work, try reading this post by The Raven, which is so long I can't even fit it in here without doubling the length of the post =D>



    Troubleshooting

    • If the normal Feisty method fails, try the Edgy/Dapper method. It also has support for Feisty using ndiswrapper.
    • Try
      Code:
      sudo ndiswrapper -a 14e4:4319 bcmwl5
      and then
      Code:
      sudo rmmod bcm43xx
      sudo rmmod ndiswrapper
      sudo modprobe ndiswrapper
    • If the light doesn't come on, try:
      Code:
      sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-utils-1.8 ndiswrapper-utils-1.1 ndiswrapper-utils ndiswrapper-common
    • If you are using 64bit Edgy Eft and the 2.6.17-10-generic, make sure you are NOT using the 2.6.17-10-generic kernel as it doesn't work (after running the script, you will be warned if there is a problem). If you need help finding a different kernel, check here.
    • If you have issues with Network Manager, make sure that all lines in /etc/network/interfaces that have anything except the word (interface) LO in them are commented out (have a # in front of them) or do not exist (the installation script should have removed them)
    • If you are having issues, try running, in this order, one at a time:
      Code:
      sudo rmmod bcm43xx
      sudo rmmod ndiswrapper
      sudo modprobe ndiswrapper
      sudo ifdown eth1
      sudo ifup eth1
      sudo dhclient
    • If you get the error "The NetworkManager applet could not find some required resources. It cannot contine.", run:
      Code:
      sudo gtk-update-icon-cache -f /usr/share/icons/hicolor/
    • If you are using Edgy, try enabling the Universe and Multiverse, then run the script again.
    • If, when you turn your computer on, Network Manager asks for your password, and then sits there and twirls, but doesn't connect, and eventually times out, and THEN will connect, try removing wifi radar (or another wireless manager if you have one)
      Code:
      sudo apt-get remove wifi-radar
      OR
      Code:
      sudo apt-get remove NAME-OF-YOUR-WIFI-MANAGER
    • Try reading this post, which is incredibly long and very helpful
    • If you want to know how to remove it, either (a) read the script and undo what it does, or (b) post a message here and I will write an undo script for you, or (c) reinstall Dapper.
    • Make sure that the card is enabled in the BIOS.
    • If you've got a HP dv8000 series that doesn't work quite right, or even if you don't and have run out of ideas, try http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost...&postcount=432


    Mirrors

    There are all obsolete (but I'll leave them here in case anyone needs them for any reason):
    32-bit: http://www.box.net/public/hp6kr9np9o
    64-bit: http://www.box.net/public/sxt8yivhef
    32-bit with network manager: http://www.box.net/public/xsu1aa260d
    64-bit with network manager: http://www.box.net/public/n9xc7jjxxj
    32-bit drivers for Edgy: http://www.box.net/public/9ru8h47pdd
    64-bit drivers for Edgy: http://www.box.net/public/x1qqgyu1yb
    32-bit setup for Edgy: http://www.box.net/public/drxcbfej8l
    64-bit setup for Edgy: http://www.box.net/public/oy219x8mlz



    Posting for help

    If you post for help here, please attach the log file, which will be on your Desktop after you run the script, to your post. Make sure you wrap your log file in
    HTML Code:
    [CODE]log-file-goes-here[/CODE]
    tags, which makes reading the log file much easier.


    Updates


    EDIT: This was updated on June 20, 2006 to make the size smaller, and include ndiswrapper so that an internet connection is not required. Also, some steps were removed from the installation process.
    EDIT: This was updated on June 21, 2006 to add a 64-bit version (thanks redmoth!) and to make a few minor changes.
    EDIT: This was updated on June 22, 2006 so that now it supports network manager AND WPA encryption (use WPA supplicant) -thanks magomago!
    EDIT: This was updated on June 28, 2006 to add some troubles and answers from the thread, up to page 11. I'm not promising I got everything, but most of it.
    EDIT: This was updated on July 7, 2006 to include a GTK enabled C++ application that will automatically install the drivers WITHOUT use of the terminal. If you run the program from a terminal, additional output will be visible. This requires internet access, but looks really pretty
    EDIT 2: That didn't work out, so I removed it. If you still wanna give it a go (you need gtkmm installed), download the bcm4318.gtk.tar.gz attachment.
    EDIT: This was updated on August 7, 2006 to include a new and improved i386 (NOT AMD64) script that will actually work on the LiveCD now, I believe. Thanks iandefor!
    EDIT: This was updated September 2, 2006 with some awesome new features. The network-manager-gnome setup should now actually work correctly on a fresh install. The script that includes network-manager-gnome will automagically connect to the internet using your nearest wifi hotspot or an ethernet connection if you're plugged in. The 64bit drivers are also updated and should work right now (I can't say if they do, as I don't have a 64bit Ubuntu to test them on)
    EDIT: This was updated September 3, 2006. All versions of the program are now distributed under the GPL.
    EDIT: This was updated September 21, 2006 to include a link to another howto for HP dv8000 series laptops.
    EDIT: This was updated September 30, 2006 to include directions for Edgy.
    EDIT: This was updated October 4, 2006 to include scripts for Edgy.
    EDIT: This was updated October 28, 2006 so that there is only one script, which takes care of all arches and versions.
    EDIT: This was updated March 13, 2007 to add a link to the Feisty installation information. Sorry, no script yet.
    EDIT: This was updated April 20, 2007 to add the script for Feisty support, in case the .deb method fails.
    EDIT: This was updated July 2, 2007 with an updated script (thanks LowMemory!)
    EDIT: This was updated April 18, 2008 with instructions for Hardy.

    Comments and suggestions are appreciated.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by compwiz18; May 24th, 2008 at 02:20 PM. Reason: updated for Hardy

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    >The point of this HOWTO is to make it as simple as possible....

    You achieved your goal.....thank you very much......

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    25

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Getting ready to try this. Does it install ndisrapper from the ubuntu install cd or do I need to be connected to the internet? Thanks.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    25

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Ok...I tried this out. Had to connect with my wired NIC and enable the extra repositories to det ndiswrapper. My light didn't light up so I thought it didn't work, but when I rebooted it came on. I get the green bars in the toolbar but I can't laod any websites. Firefox just sits there and says something like locating page or loading page, something like that. I've got WEP setup on my router and properly entered in network properties and everything. I'm not sure why I can't view any sites. Any ideas?

    Thank for this script. This is the closest I've come to getting wireless to work on my laptop (compaq v2508wm). I feel like I'm one step away from getting it to work completely.

    Any help is appreciated.

    **EDIT

    I rebooted back into Ubuntu and now it's working. I'm not sure what happened but I'm posting from Ubuntu now thanks to compwiz18. Much appreciated. Only took me about a week to get it working .

    Now I'm scared to install all the updates it's telling me are available for fear it will screw something up.
    Last edited by revilot; June 16th, 2006 at 07:13 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
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    Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    I updated the guide to reflect comments and questions, so now it should be easier to use.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    1

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Thanks so much for the help! I was slightly discouraged when my wireless stopped working after I upgraded Breezy to Dapper, but it's working perfectly now.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    17

    Talking Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    This did the trick with my Dell Inspiron B120 laptop. Thanks for the great info!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    2

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    My Presario V2000 works with these drivers... Thanks for your help!
    -Brad

  9. #9

    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Got mine working but can't see it in network manager. Anyway to use something other than wep? Maybe because it is marked as eth1 instead of wlan in network settings?

  10. #10
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    Re: HOWTO: Broadcom 4318 Wireless Cards

    Quote Originally Posted by biggreensupreme
    Got mine working but can't see it in network manager. Anyway to use something other than wep? Maybe because it is marked as eth1 instead of wlan in network settings?
    I couldn't figure out how to make network manager work. But if someone did with this script, and posts the instructions here, I will add the steps to the script so that it is automatically configured as well.

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