[RESOLVED]Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

[jeremy1701]

Hello,
I recently upgraded My Dell Inspiron 1564 to 11.10, which uses the Broadcom BCM4312 wifi adapter. Since the upgrade, I'm having issues with the wifi. I can scan for and connect to my network, and I can even use it for a minute or two, but beyond that it times out and eventually goes to a state that says, "Waiting for authorization" and I cannot use the network. I know the password is correct as I'm connected at first (I've tried using an incorrect password, which doesn't connect at all). The wired network works fine.

I've tried the following, to no avail:

Installing bcmwl-kernel-source (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1445457&page=2)

Installing firmware-b43-lpphy-installer (http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/inde...t-1833795.html)

Removing blacklist (http://www.computerandyou.net/2011/0...-ubuntu-11-04/)

Patching and installing the proprietary driver manually (http://www.mindwerks.net/2011/06/wir...12-3-0-kernel/)

At this point, I'm at my wits end. Anyone have any step by step solutions?

[GreyGeek]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

Restore your wireless settings to those that give you a connection for several minutes.
Use "modinfo" on the wireless module listed by lsmod. Here is what modinfo gives on b43 and b43legacy:

$ modinfo b43
filename:    /lib/modules/2.6.35-25-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/b43/b43.ko
firmware:    b43/ucode9.fw
firmware:    b43/ucode5.fw
firmware:    b43/ucode15.fw
firmware:    b43/ucode14.fw
firmware:    b43/ucode13.fw
firmware:    b43/ucode11.fw
firmware:    FW13
license:    GPL
author:     Gábor Stefanik
author:     Michael Buesch
author:     Stefano Brivio
author:     Martin Langer
description:  Broadcom B43 wireless driver
srcversion:   5BB41D365A8D4ED2575C4B1
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev10*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev0F*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev0D*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev0C*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev0B*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev0A*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev09*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev07*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev06*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev05*
depends:    ssb,mac80211,led-class,cfg80211
vermagic:    2.6.35-25-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 
parm:      bad_frames_preempt:enable(1) / disable(0) Bad Frames Preemption (int)
parm:      fwpostfix:Postfix for the .fw files to load. (string)
parm:      hwpctl:Enable hardware-side power control (default off) (int)
parm:      nohwcrypt:Disable hardware encryption. (int)
parm:      hwtkip:Enable hardware tkip. (int)
parm:      qos:Enable QOS support (default on) (int)
parm:      btcoex:Enable Bluetooth coexistence (default on) (int)
parm:      verbose:Log message verbosity: 0=error, 1=warn, 2=info(default), 3=debug (int)
parm:      pio:Use PIO accesses by default: 0=DMA, 1=PIO (int)
jerry@sonyvgnfw140e:~$ modinfo b43legacy
filename:    /lib/modules/2.6.35-25-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/b43legacy.ko
firmware:    b43legacy/ucode4.fw
firmware:    b43legacy/ucode2.fw
firmware:    FW10
license:    GPL
author:     Michael Buesch
author:     Stefano Brivio
author:     Martin Langer
description:  Broadcom B43legacy wireless driver
srcversion:   48D59AA9DCFE95D0B8D3D3A
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev04*
alias:     ssb:v4243id0812rev02*
depends:    mac80211,ssb,led-class,cfg80211
vermagic:    2.6.35-25-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 
parm:      pio:enable(1) / disable(0) PIO mode (int)
parm:      bad_frames_preempt:enable(1) / disable(0) Bad Frames Preemption (int)
parm:      fwpostfix:Postfix for the firmware files to load. (string)

The "parm" are lists of parameters that you can enable (1) or disable (0).
In "/etc/modprobe.d/options.conf" you can set the parm, like this:

options iwlagn swcrypto=1 11n_disable=1

"iwlagn" is the name of my own wireless module. Your's might be "wlan0" or "ath0", etc....

You may have to experiment the way I did to discover which settings improve your wireless performance.

[ScottyK]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

I've got a Dell Vostro 1500 that (had) the same Broadcomm card that you currently are using.

I decided to spend US $30 on an new Intel wireless card from Newegg. Installation was a snap, and I have not had a problem with wireless since.

That was back in 10.10. 11.04 worked great, and so far, 11.10 is working fine on it.

Here's the thread where we started talking about just swapping out the card and being done with Broadcom. Hopefully there is something useful there for you.

http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...pic=3117385.15

[jeremy1701]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

mkay.... making progress. I tried this

Launcher>applications>system> additional drivers and deactivate the stupid Broadcom STA wireless drivers

from this link http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3118862.0

Voila!! Success!! The problem is, my system isn't quite the same. The STA driver is already disabled (in fact, it's not even installed), but it seems simply starting the app does the trick. The other things is, it doesn't seem to stick after a reboot. How can I make this happen automatically?

I'm typing this now from wifi. I've tried this same 'start up the app trick' three times.

[GreyGeek]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

sudo depmod -a

[jeremy1701]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

depmod didn't do the trick

Here is the output from modinfo wl

filename:    /lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic-pae/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/wl.ko
srcversion:   B3CE38BED29827432A20B5E
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00000576sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000435Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004359sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004358sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004727sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004357sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000A99Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004353sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Csv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Bsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004329sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004328sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004315sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004313sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004312sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004311sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:    lib80211
vermagic:    3.0.0-12-generic-pae SMP mod_unload modversions 686 
parm:      oneonly:int
parm:      piomode:int
parm:      instance_base:int
parm:      nompc:int
parm:      name:string

[jeremy1701]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

okay. more progress. installed the sta drivers and activated them. Seems to be working!!! Slightly different modinfo

filename:    /lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic-pae/updates/dkms/wl.ko
license:    MIXED/Proprietary
srcversion:   1E121706FBA8C851ED8D2F6
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00000576sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000435Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004359sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004358sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004727sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004357sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000A99Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004353sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Csv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Bsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d0000432Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004329sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004328sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004315sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004313sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004312sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:     pci:v000014E4d00004311sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:    lib80211
vermagic:    3.0.0-12-generic-pae SMP mod_unload modversions 686 
parm:      oneonly:int
parm:      piomode:int
parm:      instance_base:int
parm:      nompc:int
parm:      name:string

[GreyGeek]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

Same name: wl.ko
Same alias: alias: pci:v000014E4d00004312sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
Same number of depends and params.
BUT, license: MIXED/Proprietary

At least it is working for you!

[doonze]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

so you got it to work with the STA drivers My WIRED stopped working if I tried anything with the STA, much less the wireless. But mine was the 4311 card not the 4312. Wonder if that's it?

What I've read is the b43 firmware and the STA drivers are mutually exclusive... but maybe for only certain cards? If I can confirm the 4312 behaves differently then my 4311, I'll add that to my post you linked above, that it's doesn't apply to all 43XX cards.....

[jeremy1701]

Re: Broadcom BCM4312 with Kubuntu 11.10

GreyGeek, I noticed that they were very similar, but still... Like you said, it's working now!

Doonze, yes. I installed the drivers from Launcher>applications>system> additional drivers and activated them.

I guess that's why they call it a bug? I wish I knew for sure why these worked when nothing else would, but what can you do. I'm about ready to get a new, non-proprietary wifi card.