Linux Broadcom b43/b43legacy driver Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The LEDs do not work.

A: You have to enable LEDs support in the kernel configuration. The config options you have to enable are: CONFIG_LEDS_CLASS, CONFIG_LEDS_TRIGGERS, CONFIG_MAC80211_LEDS.

Q: The radio-enable-button on my laptop does not work.

A: You have to enable RF-kill support in the kernel configuration. The config options you have to enable are: CONFIG_RFKILL, CONFIG_RFKILL_INPUT, CONFIG_INPUT_POLLDEV.

Q: After enabling the config options, LEDs/RF-kill still don't work.

A: If you have the b43/b43legacy driver built-in (not as a module), you must also enable all the LEDs/RF-kill options (see above) built-in (not as a module).

Q: It all loaded but my signal strength is 0

If iwconfig shows

• Link Quality:0 Signal level:0

then you may have wireless disabled in the BIOS. Check for things like "Wireless : Application Control".

Q: Which broadcom chipsets are supported

The bcm4303 (802.11b-only chips), bcm4306, bcm4311 rev 1 / bcm4312, bcm4311 rev 2, bcm4312 (needs patches for 2.6.24) and bcm4318

Q: I'm confused about this b43/b43legacy business. Which one do I need?

If your chipset is 802.11b-only or BCM4306 rev 2, you need to use b43legacy. All other devices, including BCM4306 rev 3, use b43.