unable to connect to wifi

bruce975 · 06-17-2019, 10:32 AM

I've read a number of posts related to wifi connectivity issues. I've got a HP Mini 110 netbook computer; installed linux lite 3.8; uses broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g from what I can gather.

I tried a complete removal of all broadcom drivers, reboot and then reinstalled b43-fwcutter.

Have not been able to solve the issue with anything that I've read and tried.

Thanks for any help!

teckk · 06-17-2019, 01:39 PM

Quote:

uses broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g from what I can gather.

Are you sure?

Quote:

reinstalled b43-fwcutter.

From where? From your distos repository or did you build it yourself? Another words, do you know that firmware works with your flavor, kernel?

Is the kernel module that you installed getting loaded? lsmod.
If not can you modprobe it. man modprobe

What is the output of ip addr or ifconfig, Is the interface up?

Does that little netbook have a hardware switch on it? Is it soft blocked like microsoft windows will do.

general info
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Broadcom_wireless
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wireless
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...rs-4175550688/
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43

bruce975 · 06-18-2019, 08:38 AM

Thanks so much for your help, but I think my knowledge base is too limited to solve this. Is it possible you could connect remotely and solve it for me?

beachboy2 · 06-18-2019, 01:29 PM

bruce975,
This link may help you:
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2180771

Also have a look at this "sticky":
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ux-4175434970/

Alternatively, it is worth noting that antiX should automatically recognise and enable your wifi, including most Broadcom wifi cards:

antiX:
https://antixlinux.com/

To enable wifi in antiX 17.1 after installation:

Menu > Control Centre > Network > Network Interfaces (ceni) > wlan0 > follow wizard and give SSID/network name and wifi password.

bruce975 · 06-19-2019, 12:24 PM

I ran rfkill list all and discovered:
hp-wifi wirelell LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: yes

I then ran rfkill unblock wlan and got the message:
Cant open rfkill control device: permission denied

Can someone give me some further help? Thanks!

JeremyBoden · 06-19-2019, 04:38 PM

Putting sudo in front of a command that won't execute due to permission problems is generally a quick fix

Provided that you are sure that you are running the correct command, of course.

In this case it is hard blocked - perhaps by a hardware switch or for some other reason, so running rfkill won't help.

beachboy2 · 06-20-2019, 02:45 AM

bruce975,
According to (6) on page 10 of your HP 110's manual there is a wireless switch at the front of the laptop:
http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01757458.pdf

Next to the switch is the wireless light (5), which is amber when wifi is off and blue when wifi is on.

bruce975 · 06-20-2019, 07:57 AM

That did solve my problem! I bought the computer second hand years ago and don't have the manual. I really appreciate your help, considering the hours of research and problem solving I had done. bruce

beachboy2 · 06-20-2019, 08:30 AM

bruce975,

Glad you got it sorted. In some cases it is the most obvious solution that is overlooked.

Please go to your original post, click on the Thread Tools tab at the top and then click on Mark this thread as solved.