Hi,

I've had some problems with my laptop. So I decided to bite the bullet and install Slackware 13.0 RC2 x86_64. It's been another experience that does test the old gray matter. Several issues but I'll address the wireless here.

Out of the box, the 'b4401' NIC worked with only having to setup the configuration. BUT, and that's a big but! The bcm4312 on the 'Dell Inspiron 1501 AMD Turionx2' would not initialize. No big deal, I'll just grab a 'slackbuild' package. For now that's not going to happen for the x86_64.

I remembered a faint fact about the broadcom. So off to Broadcom.com to see if it was true that a driver existed for the x86_64. Well after some tracking I found '802.11 Linux STA driver' page. On this page you will find the '64-bit driver', 'README.txt' and the '2.6.29 kernel patch' file.

You will also find the new '32-bit driver' if you might need it for 'x86_32'.

'README.txt' is fair as a reference to what you need to do concerning the driver. Be sure download all.

Once you have downloaded you will need to create a directory, the txt states to use 'hybrid_wl'. You should 'tar -xzf hybrid-portsrc-x86_64-v5_10_91_9.tar.gz' into that directory or the directory of choice.
Be sure to apply the patch if your using '2.6.29.6'.

You will notice a 'WARNING' about license but the 'wl.ko' is created.
I've read the EULA/License agreement for Broadcom. No way of getting it for the '802.11 Linux STA driver'. I've jumped through hoops, sent emails and still can't get a valid include. Go figure!

I'm typing on the Laptop using the new drivers after a lot of fudging around. I really recommend that you use the 'wicd' package for configuration. Be sure to restore your '/etc/rc.inet1.conf' to the original state. Once you have blacklisted the 'b43' and 'ssb' in '/etc/modprobe.conf/blacklist.conf' you should reboot.

Once you are up then from the console as 'root' you can 'wicd-curses' to configure the 'wireless-settings' for 'wireless-settings.conf'. You should be good to go. Of course for those GUI guys/gals you can configure from 'X' with KDE. I'm working from 'KDE' right now. I'll try 'XFCE' later.

I need to get 'ifplugd' to setup the wired that is used for the Laptop when working with clients. Not everyone is un-hooked. Some for security reasons. Others just to cheap.

I've lost a lot of 'Rogaine' hair from this one.

Hmm..

Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)

Works for me after I install the firmware.

Installed wicd and left the rc.inet1.conf blank.

Did you install the firmware for your card?

Great info, thanks for posting.

Hi,

Yes, but I could never link. That's why I start investigating. Dell was of no help for Gnu/Linux.

I have a broadcom b4311, I built a Kernel with b43 and PHY Broadcom as modules. From there I used the b43 fwcutter and b43 firmware slackbuilds and I was good to go. I actually pulled the Atheros card that was in my new machine and replaced it with this older Broadcom model because the install is pretty straight forward. I am running Slackware64. I personally do not like wicd as it is still flaky with hidden networks.

Hi,
I could not link with a standard setup. So I thought that it wouldn't hurt to setup with the propriety driver to see if worked. It linked, I then installed the 'wicd' package to manage the wireless and wired. I plan to use 'ifplugd' along with 'wicd'. I would have preferred to have the old setup. I'm not sure why things broke when the x86_64 was installed.

This laptop is used for personal and client support so I had to get it back up. That's why I decided to go ahead with the Slackware 13.0 RC2 install. I've had -current installed on other machines without major problems. This laptop is the only broadcom equipped machine.

Hey onebuck! Do you use DELL1501? So we are using the same model!

Actually I brought up the wireless card just in the same way with em21701 and it works. I didn't bother any propriety driver.

Hi,
Yes, I use the 1501. Cheap but good.

When I first installed Slackware 13 x86_64. I moved my configs over. I couldn't get this damn thing to link. I reconfigured and still no link. So I thought and did some checking. I downloaded the '802.11 Linux STA driver for x86_64' along with the patch. I did some blacklisting and things were good to go. I then loaded 'wicd' to manage the wireless & wired. I need to install the 'ifplugd' so I can work with the cable issue.

This Laptop is used personally and with clients that need assistance.

I'll try the firmware again later when able. I need this machine now.

I just posted the thread to aid people who may have issues with the 'bcm4312' and firmware. I've marked this on my hot_list to take care of/find out what the issue or problem is.

Did you build the kernel with b43 and phy as modules (M) or built-in (*)? I have had trouble in the past where it only works if they are modules.

I'm glad my laptop isn't 64bit. I have a card the uses b43legacy and the only way I can get it to work properly is to use ndiswrapper with windows dlls. I don't even want to bother trying to find 64 bit drivers for that thing.

I have a machine with the b4312 chipset and have had good experiences using fwcutter. Ndiswrapper has worked well in the past also. I'm always looking for an easier way to get the b4312 chipset up and running so I was glad to see another approach.

Some Broadcom cards are supported by b43 or b43legacy, and some aren't. It gets messy, as not all the cards identified as "4312" are supported. The easiest way to find out is to use the following lspci command:

lspci -vnn | grep 14e4

Then compare the PCI-ID number within the brackets to the chart at Linux Wireless. If it's a supported card, the firmware installation instructions are on the same page. If it's not supported, or if you want to try out the proprietary driver, then onebuck's instructions are your best bet.

@ onebuck... thanks for pointing out that Broadcom now links to a patch for 2.6.29. The last time I tried this I had to chase down the patch.

Hi,

A lot of people are attempting to use the propriety driver for the 'bcm4312' but fail to apply the patch for a '2.6.29' kernel to the ''802.11 Linux STA driver'.

The firmware for the 'BCM4312' doesn't always work when you cut it. That's one reason to attempt to use the propriety driver if you want to use your wireless.

I've added this post because of discussions in this thread.

Hi man
I have Dell 1501 with AMD Turion processor as well. I was wondering if you had any problems with the touch-pad? I installed 32bit version of 13.0 and now I can move the cursor with touch-pad but tapping is not recognized as input action. Did you do something special to make it work?


I am asking because your post is the most resent concerning Dell 1501 and Slack 13.0

thanks

and by the way do you know who is the manufacturer of your touch-pad. I searched in Dell site by service tag and found nothing.

Hi,

I didn't have to do anything for the touchpad. Search for 'synaptics'. Top post has a lot of useful information.