I just installed Ubuntu on my Acer TravelMate 5520, after having Windows Vista for a while, and the first thing I notice is that the wireless connection lamp isn't glowing, and I can't seem to turn it on, does anybody know how to fix this? Please help, it'll be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to LQ!

Wireless in Linux isn't particularly straight forward since many manufacturers don't provide Linux drivers for their cards. However, most cards can be made to work in Linux.

What we really need from you is the make/model and most importantly, the chipset, of your wireless card. Open up a console and run lspci and see if your card is listed in the output. If you want to post the lspci output, you can redirect it to a text file, which will make it easy to cut and paste:

lspci > filename.txt

Then just open filename.txt in a text editor, and you should be able to see the output.

Ok, I'm gonna assume that your card is a 'bcm43xx'. That's the type of card used by most Acer TravelMate models. Also, I'm gonna assume you're using Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) as that's the newest version.

To ensure that you're using a 'bcm43xx', type 'lspci' at a Terminal. You should get something like this:

I'm gonna give you the command line way of working through the install. I found this to be the most straightforward way of installing the driver.


First, just as a safety measure, I would ensure that your system is updated.
Now, you will need to download a few files using a wired connection.

a. bcm43xx-fwcutter: Download the correct version for your system architecture from http://packages.ubuntu.com/gutsy/utils/bcm43xx-fwcutter

b. Firmware: can be downloaded from:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/sources...a-3.130.20.0.o

From here, open the bcm43xx-fwcutter package to open it in the package manager. If the package manager warns of a same version available, ignore it and use the current package. During the installation, it will ask if you would like to extract the firmware. Just click Forward and continue.

Now, open up the Restricted Driver Manager:
Under the firmware drop down arrow, it will show Firmware for Broadcom 43xx chipset family. Under Status, it will show Not In Use.

Check the box under Enabled to enable the firmware.

Click Enable Firmware

Select 'Use A Local File' and browse to the wl_apsta-3.130.20.0.o file. Click 'Open'.

Click 'OK' to extract the firmware.

If the status has changed to 'In Use', you are successful.


Just note, I pulled this tutorial from the Ubuntu Community Documentation. It can be located here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi.../bcm43xx/Gutsy

Good luck and cheers!
mbecraft

I opened a Terminal and typed 'lspci' and this is what I got;

thomas@thomas-laptop:~$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS690 Host Bridge
00:01.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS690 PCI to PCI Bridge (Internal gfx)
00:04.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Unknown device 7914
00:05.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Unknown device 7915
00:06.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc RS690 PCI to PCI Bridge (PCI Express Port 2)
00:12.0 SATA controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 Non-Raid-5 SATA
00:13.0 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB (OHCI0)
00:13.1 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB (OHCI1)
00:13.2 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB (OHCI2)
00:13.3 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB (OHCI3)
00:13.4 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB (OHCI4)
00:13.5 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 USB Controller (EHCI)
00:14.0 SMBus: ATI Technologies Inc SBx00 SMBus Controller (rev 14)
00:14.1 IDE interface: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 IDE
00:14.2 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc SBx00 Azalia
00:14.3 ISA bridge: ATI Technologies Inc SB600 PCI to LPC Bridge
00:14.4 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc SBx00 PCI to PCI Bridge
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon X1200 Series
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8071 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 15)
05:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM94311MCG wlan mini-PCI (rev 01)
0b:06.0 CardBus bridge: O2 Micro, Inc. OZ711SP1 Memory CardBus Controller (rev 01)
0b:06.2 Generic system peripheral [0805]: O2 Micro, Inc. Integrated MMC/SD Controller (rev 02)
0b:06.3 Mass storage controller: O2 Micro, Inc. Integrated MS/xD Controller (rev 01)
0b:06.4 FireWire (IEEE 1394): O2 Micro, Inc. Firewire (IEEE 1394) (rev 02)

Do you know which card type I'm using? Is it OK for me to follow your intstructions? Thanks.

Hi!
I guess that is the one:
So, the bcm43xx Driver, as mbecraft wrote in his reply, sounds to be a good choice

Big thanks for this found it through google.
Worked perfectly for me on an acer Travelmate 5320

Wireless card was.
-Daniel

Yep it looks like that was the right card, it worked perfectly and the wireless lamp lit up!! Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it all, so again, thanks for all the help, this was the easiest guide I have seen so far!
I love Ubuntu!

Acer Travelmate 2420

Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection (rev 05)

Same prob... little light doesn't turn on...

Please help me too! Much appreciated!

Your situation is a little different since you've got an Intel card rather than a Broadcom card. However, Intel does support Linux.

Start with this site and see what makes sense. Basically you'll need to install the ipw2200 driver and the firmware needed to run it. How to do both is explained on that site. By the way, you may find instructions to replace your ieee 802.11 subsystem. Do NOT do that, try the driver and firmware first.

That's great that you got your wireless card working. I actually found those instructions when I was trying to install Ubuntu on my Compaq Presario V2000 series. The only problem I ever had though was getting connected to a secure network that had its SSID hidden. Oh well, probably my install though. Glad to help you out.

Cheers!
mbecraft

Okay. I've downloaded the appropriate driver and firmware... (although on Linux-Laptops.net, it says my laptop should work outta the box... I wonder if I already have what I need...)

But wow, those install instructions are ummm... lengthy... and complicated-looking... for someone who's new-ish, like myself.

This is the 3rd time I downloaded Ubuntu. With each distribution, more and more works outta the box... but never everything. This time, it's sooo close. Don't they have a gazillion people working on this? I don't get it. I mean, everyone complains about Windows (myself included...), but everything does work right off the install. No terminal commands needed. How many versions of Ubuntu will be needed to accomplish that?

I only have one problem, I can't seem to connect to my network, I mean it shows up and everything, and the lamp is lit, but when I enter the WEP key it says it's trying to connect to the network, but after a while the window pops up again, asking for the key again, do you know anything about this? Anyways, thanks alot for help out as much as you did!

Ok, try this (assuming you're in Ubuntu 7.10):


For this, you'll need a current Internet connection.

1.) Go to the Restricted Driver Manager
2.) Tick the Enabled box next to your card

3.) Click 'Enable Firmware'

4.) Select 'Download from Internet'

5.) Click OK

6.) If the status has changed to In Use, your card will now work.

In your router's configuration, do you have the wireless SSID ("Network Name") hidden? That's typically what I've seen happen when it doesn't work correctly. Also, how strong is your WEP key? If it's more than 128-bit (I believe), it's not compatible with the driver.

Hmm... the only driver in the Restricted window is my ol' modem driver... a happy green check mark next to it, though I don't see myself using in the foreseeable future...

Did I mention, thanks all for the quick responses. Much appreciated.