In case you want to install Ubuntu 8.04 in a laptop with a Broadcom BCM94311MCG card (like the Acer Aspire 9410Z) please note that:
- The proprietary driver that Ubuntu suggests to install is NOT working.
- The instructions here are the best approach, although they’re slightly outdated (you do NOT actually need to recompile ndiswrapper).
So, all you have to do is:
- Install the NDISwrapper software; just install the package ndisgtk with Synaptic or apt-get, it’ll automatically mark all necessary dependencies.
- Download the proprietary driver from here, and unpack the file.
- Configure NDISwrapper using ndisgtk, or by hand:
sudo ndiswrapper -i /path/to/bcmwl5.inf
sudo ndiswrapper -l
- Edit the file /etc/modules as an administrator (e.g. with sudo) and add a line containing “ndiswrapper” (without the quotes).
- Check that modprobe is working and save the configuration:
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper
sudo ndiswrapper -m
- Reboot.
NetworkManager should be working fine now.
Why the hell manufacturers like Broadcom (or Acer) are not yet releasing their drivers for GNU/Linux?? Sad.
Update: Few days ago in Slashdot: Major PC Vendors Push For Open Source Drivers.
Update: The problem has been corrected and now the default Ubuntu driver is working! No need to follow the previous steps.
5 responses so far ↓
josemaria // May 1, 2008 at 07:07 |
Lo de broadcom es de juzgado de guardia, que dicen por “nuestra” tierra… Nosotros, por lo problémático de donde mandamos los portátiles y las pocas exigencias en el uso, solemos comprar portátiles baratos (de entre 400 y 500 euros) de HP y todos vienen con algún modelo de broadcom. El que funcione o no el wifi con Linux se convierte en una lotería…
antonio // May 6, 2008 at 12:16 |
A ver si hacen casos a los grandes que cita Slashdot, no veas lo que está costando llegar con la transparencia a estas empresas.
Andres // May 22, 2008 at 18:14 |
I hve receive Ubuntu 8.04 but the WiFi it’s not working and I have BCM943. You say in the last update that it’s working now, Do I make and update of Ubuntu, and it will be fixed?
Thanks a lot.
zugaldia // May 22, 2008 at 18:44 |
Yep, Andres, we did a fresh install + updates a couple of days ago, and the wi-fi worked smoothly.
bubuzzz // May 23, 2008 at 19:06 |
finish every steps and then “Update: The problem has been corrected and now the default Ubuntu driver is working! No need to follow the previous steps.” T_T