Hi. I have just downloaded the Zorin 18.1 Core to assess whether I like the Linux OS. I am intending to install Linux on an older Dell I5 laptop running win-10 (±11 years) as I cannot upgrade the machine to win-11. WI-Fi on windows connects to the router without the need for any external hardware or dongles. The machine booted flawlessly from the USB. (I haven't removed windows from thee machine yet). The first issue that I encountered is a "No Wi-Fi Adapter Found". I scratched around on the net and found a thread recommending to run 'lspci -nn | grep -1 network' - the result was ' Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Inc. and subsidiaries BCM43142 802.1 1b/g/n [14e4:4365] (rev 01). I want to purchase the the PRO version, but want to iron all the creases out before the time in case this does not work on my machine. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Perhaps it helps to boot with an older kernel, but that is not possible to test in a live session of Zorin 18.1 because you can't install another kernel and reboot (only if you have a live boot stick with persistence).
If you like you could create a Zorin boot stick with Zorin 18.0 (older versions of Zorin as e.g. Zorin 18.0 are available when you search for download mirrors and then click on 18 or even 17 for Zorin 17 which is still supported) and test if wifi works then.
Older hardware often has better support with older kernels and Zorin 18.1 has a new 6.17 kernel, Zorin 18.0 kernel 6.14 and Zorin 17.3 kernel 6.8.
Thanks. I will create a new boot stick with Zorin 18.0 and give it a try and revert with the outcome.
Did you take a look at Software&Updates > Additional drivers if there is offered a driver for WLAN? Connect your phone with a cable with your PC to have Internet access (USB tethering).
No, I didn't. Linux is new to me.
Please disable also secure boot in your BIOS while testing Zorin.
In this Linux Mint thread is also shown a solution (Linux Mint 22.3 is also based on ubuntu 24.04 as Zorin and kernel 6.17 running) but I'm not sure if you can run that driver without rebooting in a live session. But you could try to install that in Zorin 18.1 (run "sudo apt update" in Terminal first, download and install the file as shown , maybe you need to install wget).
Then restart the network-manager.
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Perhaps you need to reload a kernel module, but I'm not sure.
Thanks, this is all new to me. I have only ever used windows OS. I still will have to ask many questions.
No problem. That's what the forum is for.
May I ask again: Have you already installed Zorin 18.1 properly on your computer or on an external USB drive, or are you testing it using the Zorin boot stick in "Try Zorin mode"? I'm not sure if I understood you correctly because in the heading is shown "new install".
The procedure what to do would be different, so that is important to make clear.
Welcome to the Forum!
@Forpli already mentioned to disabled Secure Boot and Fast Boot in BIOS. I want add to that to disabled Fast Start-Up in Windows.
It could be that You need to install a Driver for this. Please look at the Additional Drivers Tab in Software & Updates like @Forpli already mentioned. If there isn't, we have to see that You install it manually.
I have windows 10 on my machine. I installed Zorin 18.1 on a USB stick. I shut down windows completely and rebooted the laptop while pressing F12, then selected to boot from the USB and try Zorin mode. I am wary to do a complete install until I am sure that that everything will work on my machine. (The heading is misleading, sorry)
Thanks, I will give this a go.
Thank you, then I have understood you correctly.
I went to Software & Updates > Additional Drivers - and saw this message.
"Broadcom Inc. and subsidiaries: BCM43142 802.11b/g/n(Wireless 1704 802.11n + BT 4.0)"
This device is using an alternative driver.
I then clicked the button for "Using dkms source for the Broadcom STA Wireless driver from broadcom sta-dkms (proprietary)"
Then clicked Apply changes.
The machine then appeared to be downloading something to a point, and then this error message popped up "Error while applying changes"
pk-client-error- quark. error while installing package. Installed linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1(313)
What does this mean? Is there a way I can manually install this driver?
It seems to fail for many users.
Try it with the solution above or shown here. It is the same.
Thanks
@Forpli's Link shown how to take the Driver with wget from Ubuntu, but You can install the Driver directly with the Terminal, too:
sudo apt install broadcom-sta-dkms
Insetad of Buying and Refund, You can simply use Zorin Core for free to test the System. The Pro Version doesn't offer different Things when it is about System Stuff like Kernel and Drivers. The Pro Options are more visual and related to Support for the OS.
With using Core, it is way more simple for everybody.
I tried to install the driver via the terminal but received an error.
This is the last part of what showed up in the terminal window.
wl.ko.zst:
Running module version sanity check.
- Original module
- No original module exists within this kernel
- Installation
- Installing to /lib/modules/6.17.0-20-generic/updates/dkms/
depmod...
Setting up linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic (6.17.0-20.20~24.04.1) ...
Processing triggers for linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic (6.17.0-20.20~24.04.1) ...
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms:
* dkms: running auto installation service for kernel 6.17.0-20-generic
* dkms: autoinstall for kernel 6.17.0-20-generic
...done.
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools:
update-initramfs is disabled since running on read-only media
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub:
/usr/sbin/grub-probe: error: failed to get canonical path of `/cow'.
run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub exited with return code 1
dpkg: error processing package linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic (--configure):
installed linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic package post-installation script subpro
cess returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
linux-image-6.17.0-20-generic
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)