[SOLVED]Internet not connecting

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RobertR

[SOLVED]Internet not connecting

Post by RobertR »

Hello,

I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 with Mint 18.3 32bit MATE.

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Card1: Broadcom BCM4401-B0 100Base TX
Driver: b44
IF:eth0
State: up
Speed: 100Mbps
Duplex: full
(I realize that's not in the format the terminal spits out, but I had to retype it on a different PC. There was also an output for the wireless, but I don't plan on using it.)

For some reason, the icon in the bottom right just keeps spinning around or showing the disconnected symbol.

I've tried

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sudo apt-get purge bcmwl-kernel-source broadcom-sta-common broadcom-sta-dkms
But got "Not installed, so not removed."

I've tried

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sudo modprobe b44
Because that's what seemed to work for others, but it does nothing.

I've tried a few other things I can't recall right now. I also used Mint 15, because someone said that worked for them.
Yes, the internet and the cable work otherwise.

Any ideas?
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
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kc1di
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Re: Internet not connecting

Post by kc1di »

What was the output of

Code: Select all

sudo modprobe b44
?
What is the output of this command?

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lsmod
Also look in /etc/modprobe.d and see if b44 is blacklisted?
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RobertR

Re: Internet not connecting

Post by RobertR »

Thanks for responding.

Code: Select all

sudo modprobe b44
does nothing. It just brings the blinking cursor back up.

Code: Select all

lsmod
is as follows:

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Module                  Size  Used by
b44                    36864  0
mii                    16384  1 b44
gpio_ich               16384  0
dell_wmi               16384  0
sparse_keymap          16384  1 dell_wmi
dell_laptop            20480  0
dell_smbios            16384  2 dell_wmi,dell_laptop
dcdbas                 16384  1 dell_smbios
dell_smm_hwmon         16384  0
coretemp               16384  0
joydev                 20480  0
snd_hda_codec_hdmi     45056  1
input_leds             16384  0
serio_raw              16384  0
snd_hda_codec_idt      53248  1
snd_hda_codec_generic    69632  1 snd_hda_codec_idt
snd_hda_intel          36864  3
snd_hda_codec         114688  4 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic
snd_hda_core           69632  5 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic
b43                   397312  0
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm                94208  4 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_core,snd_hda_codec_hdmi
bcma                   57344  1 b43
snd_seq_midi           16384  0
snd_seq_midi_event     16384  1 snd_seq_midi
lpc_ich                20480  0
mac80211              700416  1 b43
snd_rawmidi            28672  1 snd_seq_midi
cfg80211              532480  2 b43,mac80211
snd_seq                57344  2 snd_seq_midi_event,snd_seq_midi
ssb_hcd                16384  0
snd_seq_device         16384  3 snd_seq,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_midi
snd_timer              28672  2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd                    65536  17 snd_hda_intel,snd_hwdep,snd_seq,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_timer,snd_rawmidi,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_seq_device,snd_pcm
shpchp                 32768  0
soundcore              16384  1 snd
mac_hid                16384  0
binfmt_misc            20480  1
parport_pc             32768  0
ppdev                  20480  0
lp                     20480  0
parport                45056  3 lp,parport_pc,ppdev
autofs4                40960  2
btrfs                1101824  0
xor                    28672  1 btrfs
raid6_pq              106496  1 btrfs
dm_mirror              24576  0
dm_region_hash         20480  1 dm_mirror
dm_log                 20480  2 dm_mirror,dm_region_hash
hid_generic            16384  0
usbhid                 49152  0
hid                    98304  2 hid_generic,usbhid
i915                 1187840  2
psmouse               122880  0
i2c_algo_bit           16384  1 i915
drm_kms_helper        139264  1 i915
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
pata_acpi              16384  0
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
ssb                    57344  3 b43,ssb_hcd,b44
drm                   303104  4 i915,drm_kms_helper
wmi                    16384  1 dell_wmi
video                  40960  3 dell_wmi,dell_laptop,i915
I looked through all the conf files and couldn't find any references to ""b44".
There was one section that said "replaced by b43 and ssb. blacklist bcm43xx". Not sure if that's helpful.

I also just noticed that there's no "Wired Connection 1" where there used to be. And the icon no longer spins around, it just shows the red "x".

The NIC is enabled in the bios, and the port lights turn on when I plug in a cable.
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Re: Internet not connecting

Post by kc1di »

also give us the output of

Code: Select all

inxi Fxz
b44 is being loaded and that should be the correct driver for that card.
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kc1di
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Re: Internet not connecting

Post by kc1di »

also give us the output of

Code: Select all

inxi Fxz
b44 is being loaded and that should be the correct driver for that card.
Easy tips : https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/ Pjotr's Great Linux projects page.
Linux Mint Installation Guide: http://linuxmint-installation-guide.rea ... en/latest/
Registered Linux User #462608
RobertR

Re: Internet not connecting

Post by RobertR »

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CPU~Dual core Intel T2300 (-MCP-) speed/max~1333/1667 MHz Kernel~4.10.0-38-generic i686 Up~2 min Mem~267.6/989.7MB HDD~58.5GB(11.2% used) Procs~154 Client~Shell inxi~2.2.35
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Re: Internet not connecting

Post by kc1di »

Sorry that command should have been

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz
please do that again.
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Linux Mint Installation Guide: http://linuxmint-installation-guide.rea ... en/latest/
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RobertR

Re: Internet not connecting

Post by RobertR »

No problem.

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System:    Host: OldDellLaptop Kernel: 4.10.0-38-generic i686 (32 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: MATE 1.18.0 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   System: Dell product: MM061
           Mobo: Dell model: 0KD882 Bios: Dell v: A15 date: 04/20/2007
CPU:       Single core Intel T2300 (-UP-) cache: 2048 KB
           flags: (nx pae sse sse2 sse3) bmips: 3324 speed: 1667 MHz (max)
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GM/GMS 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1280x800@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GM x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 1.4 Mesa 17.0.7 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.10.0-38-generic
Network:   Card: Failed to Detect Network Card!
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 58.5GB (11.2% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HTS54106 size: 58.5GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 53G used: 5.2G (11%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 1.06GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 28.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 139 Uptime: 2 min Memory: 228.3/989.3MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35
If it's any help: when XP was installed, I had to disable the wifi in the bios before it would even register the ethernet cable was connected.

Also, I restarted just to be double sure everything was enabled in bios (it was).
I ran it a second time and got:

Code: Select all

System:    Host: OldDellLaptop Kernel: 4.10.0-38-generic i686 (32 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: MATE 1.18.0 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3) Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   System: Dell product: MM061
           Mobo: Dell model: 0KD882 Bios: Dell v: A15 date: 04/20/2007
CPU:       Dual core Intel T2300 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB flags: (nx pae sse sse2 sse3) bmips: 6650 
           clock speeds: max: 1667 MHz 1: 1333 MHz 2: 1333 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GM/GMS 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: 1280x800@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GM x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version: 1.4 Mesa 17.0.7 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.10.0-38-generic
Network:   Card: Broadcom BCM4311 802.11b/g WLAN driver: b43-pci-bridge bus-ID: 0b:00.0
           IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 58.5GB (11.2% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HTS54106 size: 58.5GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 53G used: 5.2G (11%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 1.06GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 41.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 149 Uptime: 2 min Memory: 247.0/989.5MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35
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Re: Internet not connecting

Post by kc1di »

I've done a lot of searching on the bcm4401 and it's been a problem for a long time. Way back to mint 13. seems to have worked before that, So I'm thinking that it's a Kernel issue that can not be resolved Unless you go back and install a 3.x kernel, Which would be a real security threat these days. So I would not recommend it. Your best choice with that machine is to get the wireless working with the b43 driver if possible. Sorry I can be of no further help on this one, unfortunately some old equipment just doesn't work with New Linux versions. Though someone else may be along with more info. Good luck.
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Linux Mint Installation Guide: http://linuxmint-installation-guide.rea ... en/latest/
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RobertR

Re: Internet not connecting

Post by RobertR »

Darn! :(

Well, thanks for helping. At least now I know it probably won't work, so I can stop fighting with it.

Maybe I'll look into USB to ethernet adapters? I should probably start a new topic for that.

Thanks again for the help.
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