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I installed Ubuntu on an old dell 1300, but the wireless isn't working on it. I don't have cable or Ethernet, I tether to my phone, and it worked on Windows.

I did the sudo bc installer thingy at the terminal but it says files don't exist.

Please give me a simple link to download to a flash drive that I can just open and run.

0-2-0 3.0 network controller 0280 Broadcom Corporation bcm4318 airforce one 54 G 802.11g Wireless LAN controller 14e4: 4318 rev.02
  subsystem Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini PCI card 1028: 0005
  kernel driver in use b43 PCI bridge
RPiAwesomeness
  • 9,941
Venessa Adkins Van Horn
  • 11

3 Answers3

3

Download these two files:

http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_015-9_amd64.deb http://www.lwfinger.com/b43-firmware/broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2

for 32-bit Ubuntu you will need a 32-bit b43-fwcutter instead of 64-bit.

http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_015-9_i386.deb

and copy them to the Ubuntu Home folder.

Then run in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i b43*.deb
tar xfvj broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2
sudo b43-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/wl_apsta.o

If you do it correctly, Wi-Fi will work after reboot.

Pilot6
  • 92,041
0

Also try lighter distro for such old computer that im now making alive with lighter then ubuntu like kubuntu with effects i like or xubuntu or lightest lubuntu. Since each time starting i have ubuntu bug of update-apt-xapi using minute of cpu can also try clean debian distros for old computers. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt-xapian-index/+bug/1958041

Well, lan you should try to connect, since manually downloading moving packages can be risky of infections.

Also try to Connect your pc to your Android phone with a USB cable tethering and on phone's settings....connections, more settings click on USB tethering option. That's all now you would get internet connection on pc. Now can install all whats needed to get wifi from phone wifi hotspot working.

Can also tethering from phone with wire usb or at friends, if interested in aquiring such with internet wire from router to plug for a second dirrect or 2nd wire from router.

I got it and fixed it with testing.

After each command try reboot to know if no more commands needed.

Test if this works. Both or one of packages

sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer

It also installs and uses b43-fwcutter

Maybe some need not that but

sudo apt install firmware-b43legacy-installer

Then

modprobe b43

I think this one fixed it, in case after reboot doesnt work.

maybe again after reboot can check- errors for some other drivers showing, but your driver will be already installed

sudo update-initramfs -u -k all

From my testing in

https://askubuntu.com/a/1387312/9550

Kangarooo
  • 5,223
-2

Go to system settings>software and updates>additional drivers. Try to install any Broadcom drivers listed. If that doesn't work, tell me, and I'll post an alternative answer.

Andrew Steele
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