Wireless not enabled in Ubuntu Enable wireless greyed out
I had this problem right after installing Ubuntu.
PROBLEM:
Enable wireless greyed out, wireless not working.
sudo lshw -C network
gives: network DISABLED for wlan0
This page is helpful:
help.ubuntu.com/10.04/internet/C/troubleshooting-wireless.html
but this doesn't solve any problem.
The problem is your wireless card doesn't have the correct driver. You might think "but it works in Windows!", yes but you need to download a new driver to get your wireless working. I have a Broadcom b43 for Dell Inspirion 1545 - this solution only works for that.
SOLUTION:
Option 1: if your ehernet when you type in sudo lshw -C network
*-network description: Ethernet interface
is working fine (looks as it does above and you can see no errors), then plug in your computer to an ethernet connection.
Then - Hardware drivers will show up with an update or install of drivers
Broadcom STA wireless driver Broadcom b43 wireless driver
Install both of these and it should automatically turn on your wireless and start working.
if you get
could not open /var/cache/apt/apt/archives/lock - you have another updater running,
close all:
sudo apt-get install blah blah that are going on synaptic package manager that is running
try again and it should work.
Option 2:
I'm planning on using wireless and I have no access to a wired connection.
Go here: wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/b43
Follow instructions on there, scroll down to supported devices, type in the commands as shown.
Download the driver by clicking download and transfer it via usb to your Ubuntu laptop/desktop.
Follow instructions on: wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Download
These are the only methods that worked for me and they should fix the problem.
HELPFUL LINKS:
crunchbang.org/archives/2007/12/18/configure-wireless-on-the-command-line/ help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WifiHowTo