Dell XPS m1330 Wireless problems

[nuclearbob]

I recently installed Ubuntu 9.10 on to my Dell XPS m1330 that originally came with Vista. This is my first foray into Linux, and installation and configuration went great. HOWEVER, I have been unable to connect to any Wifi networks with this machine. They simply won't show up on the network manager window. I ran the System Testing program and it said my wireless controller was as follows:

Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM5906M Fast Ethernet PCI Express (rev 02)
Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g (rev 01)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[reed9]

Are you able to get a wired connection briefly?

If so, you can do

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install bcmwl-kernel-source

Or for a GUI method, use Synaptic as described here.

[nuclearbob]

No, I'm unable to get any connection, even briefly.

[reed9]

No friends with an ethernet connection?

You'll need to download the packages from a different computer to a flash drive or the like, transfer them over and install. The problem with this is sometimes getting all the dependencies is a pain.

I believe these are all you need, however.
http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/poo...buntu1_all.deb
http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/poo...untu4_i386.deb
http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/poo...untu1_i386.deb
http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/poo...5.9-5_i386.deb

These are links to the 32 bit versions. If you're running 64 bit, you'll need different files. If you just chose the default Ubuntu download, it's 32 bit.

Once you transfer them to your Ubuntu box, you should be able to double click to open gdebi, an installer program for .deb files. I think you'll need to install dkms, fakeroot, and patch before bcmwl-kernel-source.

Post back if you get errors and we'll try and figure it out.

[nuclearbob]

Thanks for all your help! Works like a charm.

[jjyapo75]

I followed the nstructions on my Dell insprion 1520.. Boy I tell you it WORKS!!!!

[highlander_ii]

I'm trying to manage this same thing... I used these files, but it's telling me something about the dkms file that it doesn't like.

I'm working w/ an HP mini netbook - not sure that makes a difference. The fakeroot and patch files worked fine.

Is there an updated dkms file that I need?

Thanx! =)