Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working [SOLVED]

Questions about Wi-Fi and other network devices, file sharing, firewalls, connection sharing etc
Forum rules
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Locked
Metatronos

Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working [SOLVED]

Post by Metatronos »

I pulled out my 2008 Macbook desiring to breath new life into it. I used Linux Mint 17.2 on a Macbook Air and it worked great. Now that I tried it on this model, I am having substantial difficulty getting the ethernet and wi-fi to work. I have installed Opensuse Leap, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Linux Mint 18 with the same problem occurring.

Immediately after install, I plug the ethernet cord in and it states that I am connected, but I am not able to use the web browser. It simply states that I do not have an internet connection when doing this. Any advice you can impart on my behalf is most appreciated.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
TooMuchTime

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by TooMuchTime »

Let's get a look at your system. Run the following command from a terminal:

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz
If you type, the F is a capital. Copy and paste the output back here between Code tags. It's easier to read that way.
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

Here is the code

Code: Select all

  Desktop: Cinnamon 3.0.6 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18 Sarah
Machine:   System: Apple (portable) product: MacBook4 1 v: 1.0
           Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F22788A9 v: PVT
           Bios: Apple v: MB41.88Z.00C1.B00.0802091535 date: 02/09/08
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 Duo T8300 (-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9575
           clock speeds: max: 2400 MHz 1: 800 MHz 2: 1800 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (primary)
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1280x800@59.91hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 965GM
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 11.2.0 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-21-generic
Network:   Card-1: Broadcom BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n driver: wl bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: wls4 state: dormant mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Marvell 88E8058 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: sky2 v: 1.30 port: 5000 bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: ens5 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 160.0GB (4.6% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: FUJITSU_MHY2160B size: 160.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 145G used: 5.0G (4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 2.13GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 27.3C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 269 Uptime: 5 days Memory: 491.0/1980.9MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.3.1
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.421) inxi: 2.2.35
TooMuchTime

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by TooMuchTime »

Try the instructions here first.

viewtopic.php?f=90&t=228884&p=1209980#p1210307
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

I tried the Menu > Administration > Driver Manager and I am not even given the option to select between various drivers. Instead, a message states that "Drivers cannot be installed. Please connect to the internet or insert Linux Mint Installation DVD (or USB stick)."
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

Also I tried this as well in order to uninstall the current drivers:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get remove bcmwl-kernel-source broadcom-sta-dkms broadcom-sta-common
This proved unfruitful too.
TooMuchTime

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by TooMuchTime »

Metatronos, see if the results in this thread work for you. The adapter matches yours.

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=223778&hilit=Broadcom+BCM4321

JeremyB has much more extensive networking knowledge than mine. You can search through his posts. I found the URL above by doing just that.
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

I really appreciate your diligence on my behalf. I think I am going to just build a computer from the ground up for strictly running Linux Mint. It is my hope to do 4k Video creation and editing for a business idea I have. I just need to do my research now on which hardware components are compatible with Linux. Again, thanks!
deepakdeshp
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 12334
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 10:00 am

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by deepakdeshp »

https://community.linuxmint.com/hardware
This is certified hardware.
Most of the Intel hardware nowadays will run Mint.
If I have helped you solve a problem, please add [SOLVED] to your first post title, it helps other users looking for help.
Regards,
Deepak

Mint 21.1 Cinnamon 64 bit with AMD A6 / 8GB
Mint 21.1 Cinnamon AMD Ryzen3500U/8gb
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

deepakdeshp wrote:https://community.linuxmint.com/hardware
This is certified hardware.
Most of the Intel hardware nowadays will run Mint.
This is exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you! This cuts my research time down quite a bit.
Metatronos

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by Metatronos »

Finally, Linux Mint 18.1 Serena runs like a champ on the Macbook!! Thanks Mint team!!
TooMuchTime

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working

Post by TooMuchTime »

Awesome! It's good to know that these older MacBooks can still function past Apple's forced outdating of OSX.

Don't forget to add [Solved] to the title of your thread so everyone can know you've found a solution.
DadeMurphy

Re: Macbook 4, 1 Ethernet and Wireless not working [SOLVED]

Post by DadeMurphy »

I have a MacBook Pro 2014 and I solved the wireless problem by plugging in a cheap Realtek 802.11n USB dongle I bought for my Raspberry Pi. Mint detected it and connected right away.

I then ran:

apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

REBOOTED

Broadcomm drivers installed and working.
Locked

Return to “Networking”