Unable to detect wi-fi through ubuntu
 

Hi, please don't be too harsh, I've had linux for approximately two days now and despite my problems I'd like to stick with this OS, it seems to be much more versatile and lacks so many windows problems.

I digress.

I've recently installed ubuntu 8.4 onto my dell laptop, which uses a broadcom 4306 802.11 g set under wlan0. I attempted to set up my wireless internet but the computer is not detecting any signals in the area. My other computers with wi-fi can detect just fine, and from far greater distance. I've tried leaving it under roaming mode, which has proved inneffective. I've also attempted to connect manually; in this circumstance I'll plug in all my router info and it will try to connect, but again cannot sense any signal. The only oddity I've been able to see is through network tools, where my network device is set on loopback interface. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be set to that, but the only other device my computer recognizes is an unknown ethernet interface (eth0), which i doubt is the problem . My router uses WPA, but I've also switched it to WEP, both of which my laptop was unable to detect even a presence of such. for informational purposes I iwconfig'd, which states my loopback has no wireless extensions, and for wlan0 i get the following info:
wlan0 IEEE 802.11g ESSID:""
mode:managed Channel:0 Access point:Not-associated
tx-power=- dbm
retry min limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr=2346 b
Link Quality:0 Signal Level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
tx excessive retries:0 invalid misc:0 missed beacon:0

Like I said, I'm about two days into linux, I've done a lot of searching but haven't found anything relevant to my problem. I do hope someone can help me out, or at least tell me what additional info I need to provide in order for someone to help effectively troubleshoot. I hate to admit but I since I'm new I'm a bit ignorant to linux, and have only a basic knowledge of the commands. Thanks!

Hello and welcome to LQ!

Your wireless card is well discussed both here and on the Ubuntu forums. This might be a useful link for you:

http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Dr...vers%2Fbcm43xx

I don't use that particular card, but I believe there are a number of variants to this chipset and people have had varying degrees of success, but I believe most people have been able to use this chipset quite well with ndiswrapper (this is a linux program which allows you to use Windows drivers under linux.) There is also a lot of documentation about ndiswrapper and I believe it is available via Synaptic software manager.

Search both this forum and the Ubuntu forum and I am sure you will be able to configure it properly. However, if you
have trouble, people will be glad to help. In the meantime, open a terminal and type (as root):

lspci

the results will show you the exact name that linux recognizing your wireless as.

Hope this helps.

Bob

To verify that the wireless driver is working, do "ifconfig wlan0 up" then verify with "ifconfig". If that is not successful, then you need to install a driver.

If the above is successful, then you are on the home stretch. You can manually enter your network name and key using the iwconfig command ("man iwconfig" for details), then "dhcpcd wlan0" to connect.

Permission denied?
 

This is an odd one...I think. I tried to ifconfig wlan0 up, but then this:
SIOCSIFFLAGS: permission denied.
I'm the admin on this, and in fact the only user. even changing the authorization to allow all users unlimited access didn't help. Is this a sure sign that I don't have the necessary driver, or something more sinister? If it is lack of driver, could anyone redirect me. Again thanks all for showing patience with the poor newb

You may already be familiar with this, but being "Admin" is not the same in Linux. Linux has the "root" user who is the only one who is allowed to run certain commands. You must run the command like this:

sudo ifconfig wlan0 up

This command is available in most distros, but it is required in a standard installation of Ubuntu ( this distro doesn't use the "su" command like most others do.)

Try this and see if it works for you.

Bob

Arg, sorry guys, still hitting snags, but I get the feeling this may actually lead to resolution. Tried the sudo ifconfig wlan0 up, now it's stating: SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory. Now obviously I'm not big on computer lingo, but that seems indicative of no driver. Am I wrong? Again if it is the non-drive problem, could anyone redirect me to where I might be able to find said driver. Thanks!

The link in BobNutfield's first post???

Wow
 

Alright. Downloaded the fwcutter, extracted as they said and tried to compile it. I got a HUGE error message

fwcutter_list.h:1800: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1800: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1800: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[134]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1801: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1801: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1801: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[134]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1807: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1808: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1808: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1809: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1809: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1809: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1810: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1810: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1810: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1811: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1811: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1811: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1811: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1811: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1811: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1812: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1812: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1812: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1812: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1812: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1812: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1813: error: unknown field ‘uc11_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1813: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1813: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1813: error: unknown field ‘uc11_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1813: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1813: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1814: error: unknown field ‘uc13_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1814: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1814: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1814: error: unknown field ‘uc13_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1814: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1814: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1815: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1815: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1815: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1815: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1815: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1815: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1816: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1816: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1816: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1816: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1816: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1816: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[135]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1822: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1823: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1823: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1824: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1824: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1824: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1825: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1825: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1825: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1826: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1826: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1826: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1826: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1826: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1826: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1827: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1829: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1829: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1829: error: unknown field ‘uc13_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1829: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1829: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1830: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1830: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1830: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1830: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1830: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1830: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1831: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1831: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1831: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1831: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1831: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1831: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[136]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1837: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1837: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1837: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1838: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1838: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1838: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1839: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1839: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1839: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1840: error: unknown field ‘uc2_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1840: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1840: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1840: error: unknown field ‘uc2_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1840: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1840: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1841: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1841: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1841: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1841: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1841: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1841: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1842: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1842: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1842: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1842: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1842: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1842: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1843: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1843: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1843: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1843: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1843: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1843: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1844: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1844: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1844: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1844: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1844: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1844: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[137]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1850: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1850: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1850: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1851: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1851: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1851: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1852: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1852: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1852: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1853: error: unknown field ‘uc2_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1853: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1853: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1853: error: unknown field ‘uc2_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1853: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1853: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1854: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1854: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1854: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1854: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1854: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1854: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1855: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1855: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1855: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1855: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1855: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1855: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1856: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1856: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1856: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1856: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1856: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1856: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1857: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1857: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1857: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1857: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1857: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1857: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[138]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1863: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1863: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1863: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1864: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1864: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1864: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1865: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1865: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1865: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1866: error: unknown field ‘uc2_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1866: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1866: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1866: error: unknown field ‘uc2_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1866: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1866: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1867: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1867: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1867: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1867: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1867: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1867: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1868: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1868: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1868: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1868: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1868: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1868: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1869: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1869: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1869: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1869: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1869: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1869: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1870: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1870: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1870: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1870: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1870: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1870: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[139]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1876: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1876: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1876: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1877: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1877: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1877: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1878: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1878: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1878: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1879: error: unknown field ‘uc2_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1879: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1879: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1879: error: unknown field ‘uc2_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1879: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1879: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1880: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1880: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1880: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1880: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1880: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1880: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1881: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1881: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1881: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1881: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1881: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1881: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1882: error: unknown field ‘uc11_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1882: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1882: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1882: error: unknown field ‘uc11_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1882: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1882: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1883: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1883: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1883: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1883: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1883: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1883: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1884: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1884: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1884: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1884: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1884: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1884: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[140]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1890: error: unknown field ‘flags’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1890: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1890: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1891: error: unknown field ‘iv_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1891: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1891: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1892: error: unknown field ‘iv_map’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1892: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1892: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1893: error: unknown field ‘uc2_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1893: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1893: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1893: error: unknown field ‘uc2_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1893: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1893: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1894: error: unknown field ‘uc4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1894: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1894: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1894: error: unknown field ‘uc4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1894: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1894: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1895: error: unknown field ‘uc5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1895: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1895: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1895: error: unknown field ‘uc5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1895: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1895: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1896: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1896: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1896: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1896: error: unknown field ‘pcm4_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1896: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1896: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1897: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_pos’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1897: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1897: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter_list.h:1897: error: unknown field ‘pcm5_length’ specified in initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1897: warning: excess elements in struct initializer
fwcutter_list.h:1897: warning: (near initialization for ‘files[141]’)
fwcutter.c:32: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘*’ token
fwcutter.c:50: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘*’ token
fwcutter.c:59: error: expected declaration specifiers or ‘...’ before ‘uint8_t’
fwcutter.c: In function ‘write_fw’:
fwcutter.c:62: error: ‘FILE’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:62: error: (Each undeclared identifier is reported only once
fwcutter.c:62: error: for each function it appears in.)
fwcutter.c:62: error: ‘fw’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:65: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘snprintf’
fwcutter.c:65: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘snprintf’
fwcutter.c:68: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fopen’
fwcutter.c:70: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘perror’
fwcutter.c:71: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c:71: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c:74: error: ‘flags’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:75: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘write_little_endian’
fwcutter.c:77: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘write_big_endian’
fwcutter.c:79: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘printf’
fwcutter.c:79: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘printf’
fwcutter.c:81: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fflush’
fwcutter.c:82: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fclose’
fwcutter.c: At top level:
fwcutter.c:85: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘flags’
fwcutter.c: In function ‘read_file’:
fwcutter.c:252: error: ‘FILE’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:252: error: ‘file’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:259: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c:261: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fseek’
fwcutter.c:261: error: ‘SEEK_END’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:263: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c:265: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘ftell’
fwcutter.c:266: error: ‘SEEK_SET’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:267: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘malloc’
fwcutter.c:267: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘malloc’
fwcutter.c:269: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fputs’
fwcutter.c:269: error: ‘stderr’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:270: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c:272: warning: implicit declaration of function ‘fread’
fwcutter.c:274: warning: incompatible implicit declaration of built-in function ‘exit’
fwcutter.c: At top level:
fwcutter.c:280: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘fwtype’
fwcutter.c:346: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘flags’
fwcutter.c:357: error: expected ‘)’ before ‘fwdata’
fwcutter.c: In function ‘analyse_ucode’:
fwcutter.c:387: error: ‘uint32_t’ undeclared (first use in this function)
fwcutter.c:387: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘fwdata’
make: *** [fwcutter.o] Error 1

There's more, but I had to shorten it. Does linux hate me? Should I try ndiswrapper as bob suggested? I'm at my wits end here

I am fairly new to wireless under linux; I got mine working, but I am not sure yet how as I went through some level of pain. What I can offer is that your error "SIOCSIFFLAGS: No such file or directory" shouldn't affect you connecting as I get this in /var/log/messages and yet it connects successfully.

Also, I found a big help was after bringing wlan0 up (ifup wlan0) and then confirming with /sbin/ifconfig and making sure wlan0 is in the list, then use command "iwlist scanning" and it will tell you access points it can see. The reason this was helpful for me, is it looked like I couldn't see any access points, and I was even thinking it was a driver issue (considered using ndiswrapper) yet when i tried that iwlist command and saw my access point listed, to me that is a good sign that the driver is working, but you have some configuration issues. Also, make sure you access point has all security turned off for the purpose of getting it to work, and then slowly add it back in (assuming you have security setup).
I don't use Ubuntu and I don't use your NIC card type, so I can't help with more specifics.

iwlist only confirms that it is the driver, states that there are no scan results

Spend twenty five bucks and get an intel based wifi card. Those broadcom's are pieces of crap. I would go so far as to say they are not compatible with linux. The company has been nothing but jerks to anyone trying to work with the cards.

Broadcom works for me
 

I have no problems with the Broadcom cards using ndiswrapper. I just don't use Ubuntu. If you try Mepis or Pardus (even the live CDs) you can connect with Broadcom cards without using fwcutter or ndiswrapper. They work out of the box.

Let's preempt this with the fact that I'm stupid. All I needed to do was connect my laptop to the internet using a network cable, ubuntu updated ndiswrapper on its own and now my wi-fi is back to normal. Thanks all for helping with this all, and sorry for wasting your time. Again, I'm dumb.