[xor-logic]

Quick backstory: I'm coming from a largely Windows background. I had previously tried to run Ubuntu from a pendrive, with no success.

This morning, I got it to work and liked it, so I set up a Windows 7 x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 dual boot. I chose Ubuntu because I was told it was the most user friendly, especially for someone familiar with Windows.

Now, my problem. To put it simply, Ubuntu can't hold a wireless connection with my router long enough to download a program, and when it is connected, it's quite a bit slower at the same tasks than Windows (loading GMail, for instance). Without changing anything on the router or network, Windows 7 holds that connection as long as I'd like.

What could be causing this, and more interestingly, how do I fix it? I want to enjoy my experiences with Ubuntu and Linux, but I'm really starting to get irritated with the connection. Thanks for the help.

[modi123_1]

Have you tried finding better drivers for your wifi card?

[xor-logic]

modi123_1, on 13 June 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

Have you tried finding better drivers for your wifi card?

No, but I will right now. Going to reboot in Ubuntu and have a go.

EDIT:I think I need a bit more guidance - I really am clueless. I googled it, and it told me I needed to run the command '$ sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter' and restart, which I did. After I restarted, I ran 'nm-tool' (found that on another page) and it shows the driver for the wireless as "brcmsmac". So evidently the b43-fwcutter one didn't install.

I'll keep trying - for now though, I have to pop the little one in the stroller and take a walk around the block so he'll pass out.

This post has been edited by xor-logic: 13 June 2012 - 10:07 AM

[xor-logic]

Ok, I'm getting nowhere here. It's been hours now, although a lot of that is due to very spotty internet anytime I switch back to Ubuntu (kinda hard to fix an Ubuntu problem in Windows), and another part to looking for that f***in ethernet cable I know I have laying around here somewhere.

In any case, what information I can find is laced with tons of stuff I don't understand. I really need someone who isn't brand new to linux systems to help me figure this out.

Info: it's a bcm43225 card.

[modi123_1]

Welcome to the world of opensource.

Anyways.. tell us what you did.

Did you get your drivers from here?
http://www.broadcom....1/linux_sta.php

[xor-logic]

modi123_1, on 13 June 2012 - 08:56 PM, said:

Did you get your drivers from here?
http://www.broadcom....1/linux_sta.php

This appears to be the one that's already installed, and reading through the readme confirms that it ships with Ubuntu. However, I imagine it's possible it's the 32 bit that's installed, so I downloaded the 64 bit and I'll pop over to Ubuntu in a sec to try and figure out what to do with it. It's a tar.gz, and the readme says I need the proper tools installed to compile it. I hope they shipped with Ubuntu as well.

[xor-logic]

Ok, I'm going to tentatively say it's fixed.

I say this because the connection is showing full-strength, as it should be since I could spit on the router from where I'm at.

The real surprise though came when I loaded up Chromium. As I said before, when the internet did work, it dragged. This time, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! lightning speed - fast enough to (almost) make up for the hours of headache.

All I did this time around was download and install:
firmware-b43-lpphy-installer
I had previously installed b43-fwcutter; as I understand it these work in tandem.

I don't know if that's what fixed it, but it sure seems fixed.

LIGHTNING SPEED!

[modi123_1]

.. and there you go! A master of his own destiny.