2007-11-19, 09:36 PM
Hey, I'm a the definition of a linux noob. And I'm scared/frustrated. I've been attempting the switch from windows to linux for the past several weeks. First I tried Ubuntu 6.10 which didn't like my wireless adapter (BCM4318 [airforce one 54g]). After a week of failed attempts to get the wireless working (not having a clue what I was doing most of the time) I popped in a friends copy of backtrack2. The wireless worked automatically! But I couldn't install it to my hd because of the backtrack2 installer issues...bummer. Keep in mind I'm relying on peoples postings in forums to fix any problem that I run across, and also keep in mind that anything to do with the konsole I do not have a good grasp of. So most of the time I'm blindly punching in commands in the konsole getting errors and other disheartening messages along the way. After the backtrack letdown I tried Feisty Fawn...same outcome as 6.10. Messed around with it for a few days trying different "solutions" posted in forums, but nothing seemed to work. After Feisty Fawn I re-installed windows xp pro, but made sure to leave half my hard drive ready for linux. Today I installed Mandriva 2008 and was disappointed to find that the same problem still exists. As of today I understand that this is due to broadcoms lack of cooperation with linux and the reverse engineered drivers, but I still can't figure it out. I could just not be following any of the instructions correctly, but how am I to know? I tried my best now I'm running to you guys. If anyone could walk me through the process of getting my bcm4318 working in mandriva 2008 I'll be your best friend. Thanks
p.s. my laptop is an acer aspire 5003wlmi