Enable wifi firmware on Ubuntu 12.04

Question

I'm using Ubuntu 12.04 on a MacBook Pro 8,1, but my wireless driver says that the firmware is missing, I've tried with many methods on the internet but I haven't found anything, so, what do I have to do? I'm such a noob so I'd like a semi-detailed tutorial so I can understand what to do, THANK YOU

Solution 1

I own a late 2009 MacBook running Ubuntu 12.10. I went to this website and it instructed me to use the following command line:

sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer

After the installer finished, I did not see my wireless network work. I completely shut down and then restarted and when Ubuntu had finished booting, there was a prompt saying that wireless networks were available to connect to. I hope this helps.

Solution 2

For Broadcom Corporation BCM4331 802.11a/b/g/n [you can test it by : lspci -nn | grep 0280]

Run in terminal :

sudo apt-get install linux-firmware-nonfree

sudo modprobe b43

dmesg |grep -e b43 -e bcma

it worked like a magic for me..

taken from:::: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2011756

Solution 3

Connect an ethernet cable, and wait for a prompt to install the wireless driver. If nothing happens after a minute, search for Additional Drivers in the Dash. Anything there? If not, you'll need to post some info about the wireless hardware. For example, the output of lspci from a terminal ctrl-alt-t would be a start.

Comments

[mikewhatever]

Welcome to AskUbuntu. The missing firmware is (your?) the driver. Connect an ethernet cable, and wait for a prompt to install it. If nothing happens after a minute, search for Additional Drivers in the Dash. Anything there? If not, you'll need to post some info about the wireless hardware. For example, the output of lspci from a terminal (ctrl-alt-t) would be a start.

[Eliah Kagan]

@mikewhatever You may want to post this comment as an answer instead, since it includes information sufficient to fix this problem most of the time.

[mikewhatever]

Good idea! I'll do that.

[Rayvaci]

I do not have eithernet port to connect internet. The new mac book pro doesnt have it. Any other solution?

[Ringtail]

Whilst this may theoretically answer the question, it would be preferable to include the essential parts of the answer here, and provide the link for reference.

[jbjon]

This also worked on an iMac I was having trouble with Linux Mint 17.1. Thanks!