How do I activate a Belkin Wireless G Desktop card in Ubuntu 10.4? Ubuntu seems to be recognizing a network card but identifies it as disabled. There appears to be no option under Ubuntu to enable the card. The network card is installed on a dual-boot system. The card works with no problem in Windows XP. It just doesn't work when I boot into Linux.

What i would do first is to try to update ubuntu to newer version. If then no success post output of lspci and iwconfig.

4 ways to get wifi working on linux

I originally installed the Ubuntu 11 point something beta version, but when it launched after installation, all I could ever get was a blank white screen with a black strip down the left side, which if I moved the mouse over it, menu items would appear but they did not lead anywhere. So since it appears the beta version is not quite ready for prime time, I installed 10.04 which works flawlessly on another system.
Here is a little more detail on what I have tried so far. I originally followed instructions from another poster which instructed me to copy the windows driver (which in my case is bcmwl5.inf)to the home directory. The instructions did not mention anything about the bcmwl5.sys file, but apparently the ndiswrapper command looked for that file and did not find it and generated an error. Later, I copied both the inf file and the sys file to the home directory and tried to reinstall the driver, but I just get a message saying that the driver is already installed. But when I run sudo ndiswrapper -l, it tells me that bcmwl5 is an invalid driver. if I try to uninstall the driver using ndiswrapper -r bcmwl5, I get the following result:

cannot unlink file for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4318.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot restore permissions to 0120777 for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4318.5.conf: Bad file descriptor at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot unlink file for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4320.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot restore permissions to 0120777 for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4320.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
couldn't delete /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5: Permission denied

So I can't reinstall nor uninstall the driver. How do I get out of this mess?

If it will help to figure this problem out, the following is the result of lspci -v. Again, I will greatly appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82845 845 [Brookdale] Chipset Host Bridge (rev 04)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8070
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at f8000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
Kernel modules: intel-agp

00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82845 845 [Brookdale] Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 04)
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, fast devsel, latency 64
Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=0
Memory behind bridge: de000000-dfdfffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: dff00000-f7ffffff
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 05)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=32
I/O behind bridge: 0000d000-0000dfff
Memory behind bridge: dc800000-ddffffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: dfe00000-dfefffff
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 05)
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
Kernel modules: iTCO_wdt, intel-rng

00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801BA IDE U100 Controller (rev 05) (prog-if 80 [Master])
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
[virtual] Memory at 000001f0 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 000003f0 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
[virtual] Memory at 00000170 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 00000370 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
I/O ports at b800 [size=16]
Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at b400 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: medium devsel
I/O ports at e800 [size=16]
Kernel modules: i2c-i801

00:1f.4 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
I/O ports at b000 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8072
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
I/O ports at a800 [size=256]
I/O ports at a400 [size=64]
Kernel driver in use: Intel ICH
Kernel modules: snd-intel8x0

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV36.2 [GeForce FX 5700] (rev a1)
Subsystem: Jaton Corp Device 0001
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 16
Memory at de000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
Memory at e0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
Expansion ROM at dffe0000 [disabled] [size=128K]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: nouveau
Kernel modules: nvidiafb, nouveau

02:0a.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Belkin Device 7001
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 32, IRQ 22
Memory at dd800000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8K]
Kernel driver in use: b43-pci-bridge
Kernel modules: ssb

02:0d.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557/8/9/0/1 Ethernet Pro 100 (rev 08)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 000c
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 21
Memory at dd000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
I/O ports at d800 [size=64]
Memory at dc800000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1M]
[virtual] Expansion ROM at dfe00000 [disabled] [size=1M]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: e100
Kernel modules: e100

It appears you have the right driver loaded to the kernel---->b43-pci-bridge
My guess is you need to install firmware, check in Synaptic package manager if there is a package similar to b43-fwcutter or firmware-b43-installer, if so and they are not installed, install and reboot. You need internet access, link up wired if you can.

I looked in Synaptic package manager but did not see anything remotely resembling b43-fwcutter or firmware-b43-installer. There are two items there named wireles-crda and wireless-tools, but I am not sure how to interpret what I am seeing in Synaptic package manager. If it appears in the list, does that mean it is installed? If I click on an item in the list, a menu comes up but it only gives me the option to remove the item, so this appears to suggest that if it is in the list, it is installed.
As a last resort, I could disconnect the computer and drag it downstairs and connect it directly to the router, but it would be more convenient if I could just download the appropriate file from a computer with a working internet connection and put it onto a flash drive and then install it on the one I am trying to connect.

The reason it's not in the list is probably because you did not update your repository information which requires one to be on-line and issueing command: sudo apt-get update. If this is the case, the only thing that will show up in synaptic is the packages that came with the CD, there are tons of gigabytes more packages available from Ubuntu mirror servers, bit the package manager won't know what's available till you put it on-line and update the information.
Take a look at this thread.

EDIT: Because the b43fwcutter package has to fetch the firmware, this is why you need to be on-line, just installing b43-fwcutter won't cutter, it has to fetch the firmware as part of the installation process, and you'll have to answer a question which is why it's better to do it from command line.

1 members found this post helpful.

You can also run Ubuntu live with the CD on a computer with a wired connection, update, install b43-fwcutter, then gather up the firmware files in /lib/firmware. Take a look at /lib/firmware before installing, note the changes after installing, there should be a new folder for broadcom or brcm, copy that folder to a key and then copy it off the key into your installation that has no connection in the same location. Check the permissions of the files before shutting down the live session, you may need to change permissions after transfering files from a FAT filesystem that USB keys usually have, to enable the system to use them.

EDIT: Disregard the permissions thing, I just checked mine for tigon and they just need to have read access, no execution stuff.

I just reinstalled ubuntu 10.04 and although it recognizes that there is a Belkin wireless adapter installed, it is stubbornly resisting any attempts to make it work. That has always been the problem with Linux. It is not user friendly at all when it comes to hardware. I am including the result of lspci -v below which shows that the network controller is recognized. Following that, I have the result of several other commands that were recommended by other posters which I attempted, but the results were not fruitful. I don't understand what's the deal with all the "access denied" "permission denied" etc. Again, any assistance with this will be greatly appreciated. Linux is a pretty stable system once one gets past its stubborn resistance to work with hardware.

steve@steve-desktop:~$ lspci -v
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82845 845 [Brookdale] Chipset Host Bridge (rev 04)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8070
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at f8000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
Kernel modules: intel-agp

00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82845 845 [Brookdale] Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 04)
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, fast devsel, latency 64
Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=0
Memory behind bridge: de000000-dfdfffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: dff00000-f7ffffff
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 05)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=32
I/O behind bridge: 0000d000-0000dfff
Memory behind bridge: dc800000-ddffffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: dfe00000-dfefffff
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 05)
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
Kernel modules: iTCO_wdt, intel-rng

00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801BA IDE U100 Controller (rev 05) (prog-if 80 [Master])
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
[virtual] Memory at 000001f0 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 000003f0 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
[virtual] Memory at 00000170 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 00000370 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
I/O ports at b800 [size=16]
Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at b400 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: medium devsel
I/O ports at e800 [size=16]
Kernel modules: i2c-i801

00:1f.4 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8028
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
I/O ports at b000 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 05)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device 8072
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
I/O ports at a800 [size=256]
I/O ports at a400 [size=64]
Kernel driver in use: Intel ICH
Kernel modules: snd-intel8x0

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV36.2 [GeForce FX 5700] (rev a1)
Subsystem: Jaton Corp Device 0001
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 16
Memory at de000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16M]
Memory at e0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
Expansion ROM at dffe0000 [disabled] [size=128K]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: nouveau
Kernel modules: nvidiafb, nouveau

02:0a.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Belkin Device 7001
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 32, IRQ 22
Memory at dd800000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8K]
Kernel driver in use: b43-pci-bridge
Kernel modules: ssb

02:0d.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557/8/9/0/1 Ethernet Pro 100 (rev 08)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 000c
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 21
Memory at dd000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
I/O ports at d800 [size=64]
Memory at dc800000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1M]
[virtual] Expansion ROM at dfe00000 [disabled] [size=1M]
Capabilities: <access denied>
Kernel driver in use: e100
Kernel modules: e100



steve@steve-desktop:~$ ndiswrapper -r bcmwl5
cannot unlink file for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4318.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot restore permissions to 0120777 for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4318.5.conf: Bad file descriptor at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot unlink file for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4320.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
cannot restore permissions to 0120777 for /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5/14E4:4320.5.conf: Permission denied at /usr/sbin/ndiswrapper-1.9 line 126
couldn't delete /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmwl5: Permission denied

steve@steve-desktop:~$ sudo ndiswrapper -l
bcmwl5 : invalid driver!

Problem solved. Post #6 by Brains was the one that worked. Thanks a lot. The lesson learned here is that with Linux, the Belkin Wireless Desktop does not work right out of the box. In order to get the wireless to work, one must first connect the computer through a wired connection (LAN) and then follow the following instructions from the link that Brains included under the hyperlink "this thread"

"The proprietary drivers can be activated under the desktop menu System > Administration > Hardware/Additional Drivers using an existing Internet connection (Ethernet or USB) for best results."

There is more information on that page, but the above information was all that was necessary to finally get the wireless working. After following the above instructions to activate the driver, I rebooted and disconnected the LAN cable. When the system rebooted, the wireless was working on its own. Again, thanks Brains and I hope this solution remains accessible to others who may run into the same problem. Now I just need to figure out how to get my Canon BJC-240 printer working under Ubuntu. It is an old printer, but it is the longest continually working printer I have ever owned, The HP and Lexmark printers that I bought later both died and I always go back to the Canon.