Can't get wifi to work on an Hp dv9000 laptop. (BCM4311 Broadcom)

[Dabode]

Ok, I've searched the web, and even these forums but I can't seem to find an answer to my problem. This is my first time using Fedora, and I just installed Fedora 10 on my HP pavillion dv9000 laptop. I'm dual booting with Windows Vista on a second hard drive. Installation went smoothly, except for two issues I'm having. The first is a minor one, but the volume seems preset and does not respond to the volume controls.

The second problems, is the one that's really driving me nuts. I can not get the wireless to work. I know this has been a common problem for this laptop, but all the fixes I've found all seem to be for other versions of linux, or other models of HP laptops. The light on the wifi switch on the front should switch to a blue light when the wifi is enabled, but it does not. I've heard the I need to use the windows driver for the wifi card, by using ndiswrapper, but I haven't the first clue on how to go about doing this. I'm just starting to experiment with linux, and if I could get the wireless working it would help me out dramatically.

Thanks,

Dabode

[scottro]

The LED lights seldom work.
The important thing though (and what should have been in the thread title) is the type of card. Unfortunately, manufacturers change the hardware in laptops all the time, so a busy person seeing the model may not stop to look at the thread--whereas if we see the type of card you have, people who have experience with that card are more likely to stop and try to help.

To find it out run the command

lspci

Usually it will be the last or second to last entry.

I repeat, the lights seldom work, unfortunately, (though they can sometimes be made to work) so it's not a proper indication of whether the card is working or not.

Does the NetworkManager thingie (looks like two monitors in the upper right of your screen) show available wireless networks?

[citojaso]

Hey Dabode...i'm kinda new to linux myself. Have only had fedora since oct. 07. Do a member search for "leigh123". He has a guide for lots of things that people want to do with fedora. At the end of any post leigh123 makes there are links to his guides. I've used his guides to get my wifi workin along with video, audio and custom desktops. Another one is Dangermouse. He has several very usefull items on his site as well.

[shess01]

I have a DV9207us running F10. I have an intel wireless card but as scottro said, mrgr's change hardware all of the time. The following command will cleanup the lspci output.

lspci | grep Network

Here is my output as an example.
[root@macbeth ~]# lspci | grep Network
02:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)

As for the sound issue, Sylpheed's PulseAudio (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=206868) link is a good place to start.

[Dabode]

The response I get is

"03:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 02)
[dabode@fedorapc ~]$


And no, the Network Manager doesn't list any available wireless connections.

[scottro]

Ok, I'll change the thread title, and I would wager that by Tuesday, you'll get some help from some people familiar with the card. (Errm, I don't know what to wager, but, anyway...)

I don't have a machine with that card, but have seen many threads about it. You might want to search the forum for something like Broadcom BCM4311 and see if any of the solutions help---NOTE: Go for the later solutions, like everything else, Fedora changes.

Also, you might want to post exactly what attempts you've made--from what I see you've started searching around, but haven't found anything that clearly tells you how to use ndiswrapper.

I haven't used it in a long time, but I don't *think* it's necessary with that card.

So, I"ll change the title and hopefully, you'll get some useful help soon. (Not that the suggestions of looking for Leigh's tutorials and how to get the output weren't useful, just that they didn't specifically address getting that particular card working.)

[shess01]

I used to have a BCM4306 in my old zd7000 and I got it working fine with ndiswrapper. I think there is a module for that card but back 2 years ago when i tried to use it I had major problems. It has undoubtedly improved since then.

There is a recent link on the subject here (http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=217442&highlight=bcm4311+f10), you might want to buzz that link and ask AdamW for a little more information.

Another option if you plan on having that laptop for awhile is to replace your broadcom with a wireless card that is supported out of the box... I found mine here for 29 bucks (http://www.buy.com/prod/intel-pro-wireless-3945abg-network-adapter-mini-pci-express-54mbps/q/loc/101/202367417.html), you may be able to find one cheaper, but that option will keep you from wrestling with the broadcom card every time you upgrade. I know it was a pain in the... err.. NECK every time I had to jack with mine to get it working.

For more info to get that broadcom wireless card working search "bcm4311 F10" in the search function above.

Also HP's have good service manual documentation available on their website. Right click this link (http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01311536.pdf) and save as to get it.

[Dabode]

Another option if you plan on having that laptop for awhile is to replace your broadcom with a wireless card that is supported out of the box... I found mine here for 29 bucks (http://www.buy.com/prod/intel-pro-wireless-3945abg-network-adapter-mini-pci-express-54mbps/q/loc/101/202367417.html), you may be able to find one cheaper, but that option will keep you from wrestling with the broadcom card every time you upgrade. I know it was a pain in the... err.. NECK every time I had to jack with mine to get it working.



Until I read your post I didn't even realize the card WAS replaceable. I'm still going to try to get this one working, but that's a great second option, thanks!

[shess01]

No problem at all. I am in agreement with Scottro's post above that you will probably get some help from the BCM4311 users shortly. Just remember to post back with any progress that you make, and an update when the problem is solved.

Bueno Suerte.

[web032009]

I'm new to Fedora 10 and before i have problem with my Broadcom wireless but I found the answer in http://fedoramobile.org/wireless. And now my wifi working.

[web032009]

try this link hope this will help you http://fedoramobile.org/fc-wireless/broadcom-linux-sta-driver

[pkands]

I use the broadcom-wl driver with my 4311. Works great.
#yum install broadcom-wl

[Dabode]

try this link hope this will help you http://fedoramobile.org/fc-wireless/broadcom-linux-sta-driver

Step by step, this worked perfectly!!! Thanks so much for the help! My sound is also working now as well.

Thank you to everyone who responded. I'm glad to know that people here are this helpful. :)

[davidvandoren]

I have exactly the same card and my wireless works fine except the blinking
I remember to follow this http://www.cenolan.com/2008/11/rpm-install-broadcom-wireless-sta-driver-fedora/

If you are not lucky here are some other options you can try including using the windows driver.
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showpost.php?p=1123497&postcount=27

my card Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN (rev 01)

[davidvandoren]

sorry I did not see the above solved the problem already.

[nissan.bakish]

Hi

Dangermouse's script solve my BC43xx problem

try it

http://dnmouse.org/autoten.html

nissan