No WiFi and a lot of errors in Linux Mint 19

[Matt5150]

Hello all.
I installed Mint on my laptop, but I get a lot of errors.
First of all WiFi doesn't work and I can't install pretty anything.
By the way, that's my system info:

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System:    Host: vale-desktop Kernel: 4.15.0-20-generic x86_64 bits: 64 gcc: 7.3.0
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.8.9 (Gtk 3.22.30-1ubuntu1) dm: lightdm Distro: Linux Mint 19 Tara
Machine:   Device: laptop System: ASUSTeK product: X553MA v: 1.0 serial: N/A
           Mobo: ASUSTeK model: X553MA v: 1.0 serial: N/A
           UEFI: American Megatrends v: X553MA.209 date: 08/08/2014
CPU:       Dual core Intel Celeron N2840 (-MCP-) arch: Silvermont rev.8 cache: 1024 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 8663
           clock speeds: min/max: 499/2582 MHz 1: 1134 MHz 2: 1285 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display
           bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f31
           Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.6 ) drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@59.99hz
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Bay Trail
           version: 4.2 Mesa 18.0.5 (compat-v: 3.0) Direct Render: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Def. Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f04
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-20-generic
Network:   Card-1: Broadcom Limited BCM43142 802.11b/g/n bus-ID: 02:00.0 chip-ID: 14e4:4365
           IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A
           Card-2: Realtek RTL8101/2/6E PCIE Fast/Gigabit Ethernet controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: e000 bus-ID: 03:00.2 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
           IF: enp3s0f2 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>

When I install something, i keep getting this:

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Use of uninitialized value $value in substitution (s///) at /usr/share/perl5/Debconf/Format/822.pm line 65, <__ANONIO__> line 3162.
Warning: unable to close filehandle __ANONIO__ properly: Input/output error, <> line 46 during global destruction.
Estrazione dei template dai pacchetti: 100%
Warning: unable to close filehandle __ANONIO__ properly: Input/output error, <> line 46 during global destruction.
Warning: unable to close filehandle __ANONIO__ properly: Input/output error at /usr/share/perl5/Debconf/DbDriver/File.pm line 104.
dpkg: unrecoverable fatal error, aborting:
 elenco dei file per il pacchetto "linux-headers-4.15.0-42": Input/output error
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)

What shall I do? (except throwing everything out the window)
Thanks a lot,
Cheers.

[JeremyB]

For wifi do

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sudo apt install broadcom-sta-dkms

The errors you see might be fixed with

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sudo dpkg-reconfigure debconf

Check mokutil --sb-state and if it says Secure Boot is enabled go into BIOS settings and disable Secure Boot
Reboot

[kc1di]

Hello Matt5150 and Welcome to Linux Mint Forums,

Your wireless card will need drivers to work. with your machine connected to the Internet via Ethernet cable. go to Menu> Administration> Driver Manager and install the recommend driver for you card. It should work with bcmwl-kernel-source.

What programs are you trying to install when you get that warning?

[Matt5150]

Thanks for your replies.
I think I've already disabled the secure boot.

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matt5150@vale-desktop:~$ mokutil --sb-state
This system doesn't support Secure Boot

I get that error even while I try to download the correct driver in Driver Manager or download gedit for example.

I did sudo dpkg-reconfigure debconf Now I get this error insted

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dpkg: unrecoverable fatal error, aborting:
 reading files list for package 'linux-headers-4.15.0-42': Input/output error

[kc1di]

what happens when you try this command:

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sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source

[Matt5150]

Thanks for your reply kc1di.
I was pretty busy with work but I hope you guys had a good weekend.

By the way I get this error

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dpkg: unrecoverable fatal error, aborting:
 elenco dei file per il pacchetto "linux-headers-4.15.0-42": Input/output error
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)

[kc1di]

Ok, Let try the following:

1.

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sudo dpkg --configure -a

2.

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sudo apt autoclean

3.

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sudo apt clean

then try to install the driver again. If you still get the error let us know.

[Matt5150]

Hello again mate!
I did those 3 commands and I don't get any error, but when I try to run sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source I get the same error.

The last night I was thinking something, since the pc is pretty old, could it be that it isn't a software problem? maybe something like the hard disk. If yes, is it possible to check if my HD is ok?

Sorry, but I just don't want to waste your time.
Thanks again for your help!

[kc1di]

I doubt it's the HD since everything else seems to be working.
Then next thing would be to try an older kernel. and try to reinstall bcmwl then.
If you go to update manager and the to view the kernels you can see what is installed already. and it will tell you which one is active.
If you only have 4.15.0-49 installed then install 4.15.0-39 and reboot then try reinstalling bcmwl-kernel-source.

[Matt5150]

I'm using 4.15.0-20
With 4.15.0-42 I get stuck while loading with mint logo.
EDIT: If i try to install a different kernel I get the same error

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)