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MBP on Xubuntu/Ubuntu Hardy Heron WiFi Card Fix

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Since I promised to keep everyone updated on my little Xubuntu on Macbook Pro adventure, I'm happy to tell you all that my WiFi card is now properly working. How did I do it? Just follow these very simple steps.

Note: The fix has only been tested on 4th gen. Macbook Pro with Penryn Processor and only in Xubuntu/Ubuntu "Hardy Heron" 32 bit.


1. Using Synaptic Package Manager (I assume you have Internet access via Ethernet cable/wire), install the following packages:

unrar
ndiswrapper-common

ndiswrapper-utils


2. Insert OS X Leopard installer DVD (disk 1) and find "broadcomxpinstaller.exe" in bootcamp/drivers folder, then copy and paste "broadcomxpinstaller.exe" to your home directory.

3. Open a terminal, then type this command:

unrar x broadcomxpinstaller.exe

4. Install broadcom wireless driver using this command:

sudo ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf sudo ndiswrapper -l sudo ndiswrapper -m sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

5. Setting ndiswrapper to auto load at boot time:

First, open "/etc/modules" on a text editor (use gedit instead of mousepad in Ubuntu) with this command:

sudo mousepad /etc/modules


Then, add:

ndiswrapper

at the last line and then save and close the file.

6. Creating file /etc/init.d/ndiswrapper:

sudo gedit /etc/init.d/ndiswrapper


Add the ff. text below, then save and close the file.

#! /bin/sh
### BEGIN INIT INFO

# Provides: ndiswrapper

# Required-Start:

# Required-Stop:

# Default-Start: S

# Default-Stop:

# Short-Description: enable to load ndiswrapper

# Description: enable to load ndiswrapper

### END INIT INFO

rmmod ohci_hcd

rmmod ssb

rmmod ndiswrapper

modprobe ndiswrapper

modprobe ssb

modprobe ohci_hcd


7. Set file access permissions using this command:

sudo chmod 755 /etc/init.d/ndiswrapper

8. Create a symbolic link call S99ndiswrapper in the folder /etc/rc2.d from /etc/init.d/ndiswrapper using this command:

sudo ln -s /etc/init.d/ndiswrapper /etc/rc2.d/S99ndiswrapper

9. You are done! Unplug the Ethernet wire then reboot to test your WiFi connection.


I hope that helps. Feel free to comment if you need some clarifications:

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To do next:
Fix keyboard special key functions and backlight.
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5 comments

  1. AnonymousMay 01, 2008

    how do u connect? do you use a network manager?

    ReplyDelete
  2. It will automatically connect. If it didn't, use the connection manager plugin found at the top panel to select wireless network.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 04, 2008

    Does it work with WPA and WPA2? And how long does it take to connect?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 15, 2008

    mine didnt automatically connect and when i went to network manager, i dont have an option for wireless network. any suggestions? tips?

    ReplyDelete
  5. When I tried to install the "ndiswrapper" package, there was a message: "Windows wireless Drivers cannot be installed on your computer. Either the application requires spetial hardware or the vendor decided to not support your computer type."
    So, I installed it manually:
    sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-common
    sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-utils.
    The connection to internet Works, but when I shut down, there is a lot of messagess that the "bluetooth" cannot be ended and the next time that i turn on the computer, it´s freezing.
    I will go back to my old UBUNTU 7.10!!!

    ReplyDelete