Another Fedora Noob 0:-)

[dacatzmeow]

I am having issues getting my wireless configured. I have an HP dv6449us with a built in card. I finally got FC8 installed and all I need is the darn internet on it. Any light? is there a "Configure wireless internet on FC8 for Dummies" post nearby?

[leadgolem]

Is the built in card being recognized?

[dacatzmeow]

I dont think so. It is not automatically recognizing any internet capabilities as of right now. Brand new laptop, so it should be pretty, eh, capable.

[leadgolem]

Ok, then getting it to work is going to be specific the the wireless chipset. You need to look up your models specs, then find out what wireless chipset it is using. Once you have that information try searching for your specific chipset. It is possible to get almost any wireless chip working in fedora, but most of the major chipsets require a slightly different approach.

[dacatzmeow]

after a little research, I believe it is called the Buffalo WLI-PCM-L11...at least in HP. I saw that HERE (http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/Linux.Wireless.drivers.802.11b.html)

[dacatzmeow]

I have a Broadcom BCM4321 wireless adapter...if that is what you wanted to know.

[leadgolem]

Ok, then you might want to start with this thread. (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=171176&highlight=bcm43xx)

[dacatzmeow]

I went to THIS SITE (http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Main_Page#Broadcom_bcm43xx_.28Method_1.29) for help about installing my bcm43xx wireless. I downloaded the necessary file. Then it said, cut the firmware...I am going to sound green, but I dont know what that means. I am brand new to the Linux game, and I am trying to learn all of this stuff. Then, it said to add a line of text in the etc/modprobe.config file and when I added the text, and tried to save it, it said I dont have permissions to do so. I am lost. Sorry once again about all the Questions. I am the only of my friends to break out of the Vista Baloney and go for a real OS. Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

[JN4OldSchool]

hmmm yeah...You are not alone in not understanding the term "cut the firmware!" It is a good guide though. Is there any reason you did not use method 1? When using these guides you should copy and paste. Forgive me if I am telling you obvious things, but you need to find and open the "terminal." This will give you a window with dos looking text. When you see the american dollar sign at the prompt it means you are just a regular user. You cant do many things, this is to protect your system. In order to do these things you need to become what in windows is known as administrator. In Linux this is root. This is why you cant add the text to your modprobe file, you do not have root permission. This is what the "su -" command means in that guides code boxes. What you should do is just highlight and copy the commands given in the box and paste in your terminal. You do not need to know anything, just a robotic cut and paste, press enter after every command and when it asks your root password supply it.

Again, forgive me if you already know all this. As far as what you are doing I have not had the pleasure of using bcm43xx-fwcutter. It is possibe the guide could have a mistake, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along and confirm the guides correctness for you.

edit: Just gazing over some of those links, take this at face value but I would really lean towards friedchip's advice, he is sound. If you read the next section in the guide you linked to it says fwcutter may limit you to 11mbs. Ndiswrapper may be what you want to do. I would read up on everything available FIRST then pick an avenue and pursue it till it works. By mixing things up you will create a birdsnest that may prove hard to dig out of.

[bbfuller]

I've used that howto with my broadcom card - a 4318 - with complete success.

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Main_Page#Broadcom_bcm43xx_.28Method_1.29

Forgive me if I'm wrong though, but I thought the bcm43xx driver mentioned in "method 1" had actually been replaced in fedora 8 with the b43 driver mentioned in "method 2".

Certainly that's the one that works for me. That means of course you are looking for b43-fwcutter - and I can't remember if I had to download that through yum or if it was already installed.

[FriedChips]

if you would like to try the method I suggested please note that I have just edited that post to include instruction to get and install the firmware that works for my card. I don't guarantee that it will work for yours, but it should give you a good idea of how to get and install the right firmware if it isn't. Good Luck :)

[FriedChips]

I've used that howto with my broadcom card - a 4318 - with complete success.

Forgive me if I'm wrong though, but I thought the bcm43xx driver mentioned in "method 1" had actually been replaced in fedora 8 with the b43 driver mentioned in "method 2".

Certainly that's the one that works for me. That means of course you are looking for b43-fwcutter - and I can't remember if I had to download that through yum or if it was already installed.

I believe in fedora 8 b43-fwcutter is already installed.

[dacatzmeow]

upon following the directions in method one in the terminal, I attempted to download that README file and when I did, I got this:

[Anthony@localhost ~]$ su -c 'gedit /usr/share/doc/bcm43xx-fwcutter-005/README'
Password:

(gedit:20410): GnomeUI-WARNING **: While connecting to session manager:
Authentication Rejected, reason : None of the authentication protocols specified are supported and host-based authentication failed.

edit: This process was doing something up until this step...

[JN4OldSchool]

upon following the directions in method one in the terminal, I attempted to download that README file and when I did, I got this:

[Anthony@localhost ~]$ su -c 'gedit /usr/share/doc/bcm43xx-fwcutter-005/README'
Password:

(gedit:20410): GnomeUI-WARNING **: While connecting to session manager:
Authentication Rejected, reason : None of the authentication protocols specified are supported and host-based authentication failed.

edit: This process was doing something up until this step...

A lot of us get this error whenever we use gedit. I dont know why, but it doesnt mean anything, gedit still opens the file. Did you make sure the file wasnt opened?

[dacatzmeow]

no, i will try it again, but it didnt open after 3 times of trying.

edit: I tried it a couple more times and I got the same message. It said that and when I tried saving the file, it wouldnt let me, saying file doesnt exist...grrr....

[JN4OldSchool]

oh hell, I didnt catch it. Take the single quotes out.

Here, copy and paste this or type it in this syntax:

su -c gedit /usr/share/doc/bcm43xx-fwcutter-005/README

[dacatzmeow]

[Anthony@localhost ~]$ su -c gedit /usr/share/doc/bcm43xx-fwcutter-005/README
su: user /usr/share/doc/bcm43xx-fwcutter-005/README does not exist

The other commands that I copied/pasted had single quotes on them and they ran fine. Without the quote it reads this.
I tried it again multiple times like it was originally posted in the Fedora Guide page and it didnt open...grrr. I am going to try to search that file from at another location.

EDIT: Well, I am a TARD and should have gone and found the actual file first...the ACTUAL file and its ACTUAL location are: su -c 'gedit /usr/share/doc/b43-fwcutter-008/README'

Pressed enter, entered password, loaded right up...NOW, let me see if I can finally get this monster configured!!!

[dacatzmeow]

OK, I am trying to figure it out on my own. Here is what I have:

I went HERE (http://www.linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43?action=show&redirect=en%2Fusers%2FDrivers%2Fbcm43xx#devicefirm ware) and downloaded the second bullet for 1 and 2. after downloading both, i tried entering the command that it told me to type in the command that it told me to for the bcm43xx in number 3. I tried many different ways but i keep getting the message:

Edit: These are the steps to supposedly getting this thing working: THIS (http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Main_Page#Broadcom_bcm43xx_.28Method_1.29)

Of these steps, I am stuck at running the fwcutter program. When I type bcm43xx-fwcutter, it says this:
__________________________________________________ __________________________
[root@localhost ~]# bcm43xx-fwcutter
bcm43xx-fwcutter version 006

Usage: bcm43xx-fwcutter [OPTION] [driver.sys]
-l|--list List supported driver versions
-i|--identify Only identify the driver file (don't extract)
-w|--target-dir DIR Extract and write firmware to DIR
-a|--alt-iv Extract alternative initvals (only 3.10.x.x)
-p|--postfix ".FOO" Postfix for firmware filenames (.FOO.fw)
-v|--version Print bcm43xx-fwcutter version
-h|--help Print this help

Example: bcm43xx-fwcutter bcmwl5.sys
to extract the firmware blobs from bcmwl5.sys
[root@localhost ~]# bcm43xx-fwcutter -w
-w needs a parameter
[root@localhost ~]# bcm43xx-fwcutter -w FIRMWARE_INSTALL_DIR
bcm43xx-fwcutter version 006
__________________________________________________ _______________________________

I believe the Readme tells me to type it in as the highlighted red text. But, when I go to this location, that file isnt there. I am making headway; slowly but surely.

[bbfuller]

Hello dacatzmeow

What you need to be typing is something like the example below.

su -c 'bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware ~/Downloads/bcmwl5.sys'

Where

su -c

is the command to give you root privileges

bcm43xx-fwcutter -w

is the command for the program

/lib/firmware

is the folder where you want the extracted firmware files to go

/Downloads/bcmwl5.sys

is the path to where your downloaded file is. Substitute the path for the download above with where your actual downloaded file is.

[dacatzmeow]

Ok...wow....I FINALLY figured out and extracted the necessary files. Now, when I try to test the modules, I get:

FATAL: Module bcm43xx not found.
[Anthony@localhost ~]$

[FriedChips]

try:
su -
modprobe b43

[dacatzmeow]

[Anthony@localhost ~]$ su -
Password:
[root@localhost ~]# modprobe b43
[root@localhost ~]#

Does this mean it worked??

EDIT: I restarted my computer, made a new connection with my new wireless drivers and what not, but when i try to activate it, it says:

b43 device wlan0 does not seem to be present, delaying initialization.

I am so close...or so it feels.

[bbfuller]

Hello dacatzmeow

I think the big problem here may be that everyone is confusing bcm43xx with b43.

I really don't think fedora 8 comes with the bcm43xx driver hence the error message you receive:

FATAL: Module bcm43xx not found.

I really don't know what the difference between the two is, but Fedora 8 comes with the b43 driver which you have, only it is reporting "card not found". I believe, because the firmware is not being loaded.

For the b43 driver you must use the b43-fwcutter program and the correct file containing the firmware as detailed here:

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Fedora8#Broadcom_bcm43xx_.28Method_2.29

That's the one that worked for my 4318.

[bbfuller]

.........and of course, if your card is a bcm4321 (post #6) then it is not on the list of supported - or unsupported - devices on the b43 driver home page:

supported

* bcm4303 (802.11b-only chips)
* bcm4306
* bcm4311 rev 1 / bcm4312
* bcm4311 rev 2 / bcm4312 (needs patches for 2.6.24)
* bcm4318

unsupported

* The 802.11a part of the 4309 and 4312 is not supported.
* There is no support for any Draft 802.11n features.
* BCM4328

Page is here:

http://www.linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43?action=show&redirect=en%2Fusers%2FDrivers%2Fbcm43xx#devicefirm ware

[dacatzmeow]

I just started tinkering with the wireless configuration again, and I dont know if it is me, or what, but I cannot seem to get it straight. I follow exactly what the step by step has, and it doesnt do jack. I really like this system, but I cant seem to get the wireless to work. Should I just reformat this partition, reinstall F8, and try again? I am at a loss.

[bbfuller]

Hello again dacatzmeow

Well, as we've discovered in previous posts, if you have a bcm4321 it probably won't work with the b43 driver because as I pasted in post #24, the 4321 is not listed as working with this driver.

Could you post the output of the command:

/sbin/lspci -v

just the part that relates to wireless. The reason being I can't see it listed on the ndiswrapper site either.

[dacatzmeow]

03:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation Unknown device 4328 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Unknown device 1366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 255
Memory at b6000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
Memory at d0200000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=1M]
Capabilities: <access denied>


Well, Looks like I am screwed...at least for now.

[bbfuller]

Hello dacatzmeow

Yes, I think you are right as far as the b43 driver goes. It plainly says no 4328 support in my post #24.

Doesn't mean you won't be able to get it going with ndiswrapper thoough. There are people on the ndiswrapper site that reckon to have got it going.

[dacatzmeow]

is there any way you can post the link that can tell me how to use the ndiswrapper or to get it all set up? I have been trying to tinker around, but being that I am totally new to Linux, I am not the brightest apple in the bushel.

[bbfuller]

Hello dacatzmeow

You are doing all right. We all feel like that when we first start to grapple with Linux.

This howto:

http://www.fedoraguide.info/index.php/Fedora8#Ndiswrapper_drivers_howto

is pretty good on most things Fedora. It should open specifically to the ndiswrapper section.

Just remember to change any references in it to specific driver files to those that came with your card for Windows. You are particularly looking for the .inf and .sys files

[dacatzmeow]

ok, i tried a whole new process, and after I did the modprobe b43, i got this:

modprobe b43
You have mail in /var/spool/mail/root


What does THIS mean? lol

THen, I try:

/sbin/modprobe bcm43xx
FATAL: Module bcm43xx not found.

So, that happened again.

[bbfuller]

Hello dacatzmeow

If this were going to work then the command would be:

/sbim/modprobe b43

because the bcm43xx module is obsolete and not included in Fedora 8.

But I still don't think you will get anywhere with it because b43 just doesn't support your card. More chances of success - but no guarantees - with ndiswrapper.

[priyadarshanh]

Hi dacatzmeow,

I have the same laptop model dv6449us. I am using fc7.

In order to make wireless work, I used ndiswrapper and removed the kernel parameters "acpi=off" and "noapic". I used bcml5.inf from hp website (win xp driver).Then everything went well.

I don't know how long my system will be up after removing the kernel parameters. The system is unstable. It does not boot sometimes. I had to wait for around 5 minutes to reboot it.

Have you configured webcam? Is your multimedia keys working? I have not been able to use these. :((

[dacatzmeow]

I have ultimately stopped using my FC8 in the mean time. Havent had the time nor energy to fool with it. I LOATHE Vista, so I havent been using my laptop hardly at ALL. I like the specs of the computer, just not the stock OS. We'll see what happens. How big of a difference is 8 from 7? I might play with it a little more in the very near future. Private message me any insight for 8 and its internet business, if you can. Otherwise, I might get rid of 8 and put 7 on if that is working fine for you. Thanks a bunch.