Linux: Dual-boot on Dell tower: Next Steps

[last updated: 2019-10-21]
go to: Linux home page
go to: dual-boot - Create USB stick
go to: dual-boot - USB testing
go to: dual-boot - Prepare to Install
go to: dual-boot - Install Linux
go to: driver problem troubleshooting source material
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• recommended things to do to optimize the system:
  (link to:) itsfoss.com

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• Initial testing on the otherwise successful install failed,
  with no wifi connectivity being the crux.
  Most of what's below is unsuccessful dithering. In the end I gave up trying to fix it and
  Installed a wifi dongle instead

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But below is what I did attempting to fix it before giving up:

• Wireless was not on or available, presumably for lack of correct drivers.
  Connected Ethernet cable to DSL router.
  It took several minutes, but finally went from "connecting..." to "connected",
  but then again reverted to "connecting..."
  Rebooted... No help.
• Rebooted router.
  Now network icon in bottom menu bar says "Wired", but still no internet.
  Settings > Network shows wired. Clicked on on/off slider bar to the right,
  and it now says "Connecting..." but can't seem to make the connection...
• Rebooted PC again. Same results, network shows wired and trying to connect, but never makes it...
• Rebooted into Windows. Hotmail was totally glitchy, repeatedly refreshing for no apparent reason.
  Pulled Ethernet cable, rebooted, and it all stabilized. Conflict between wireless and wired???
• With Ethernet cable pulled, rebooted into Linux.
  $ inxi -Fzx to show hardware details:
  Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
  vendor: Dell; driver: r8169; v: 2.3LK-NAPI; port: d000; bus ID: 03:00.0
  IF: enp3s0; state: down; mac:
  Device-2: Broadcom and subsidiaries BCM43142 802.11b/g/n
  vendor: Dell wireless 1704 802.11n + BT 4.0; driver: bcma-pci-bridge; v: N/A
  port: d000; bus ID: 04:00.0
• One source said to to to Applications > Driver Manager
  It said "Drivers cannot be installed" no connection to internet
  Inserted Linux Live boot stick, clicked OK
  "updating cache..."
  "Failed to download repository information - check internet information" - clicked Close
  Driver Manager window shows:
  NVIDIA using: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
  Broadcom Limited: BCM43142 802.11b/g/n (Wireless 1704 802.11n + BT 4.0)
  "Do not use this device" was checked, so unchecked it to leave:
  "This device is using an alternative driver"
  bcmwl-kernal-source
  Version 6.30.223.271+bdcom-0ubuntu4
  Broadcom 802.11 Linux STA wireless driver source

  rebooted
  still no wireless.

• Plugged in a wifi dongle that I got for an old rPi. Had to go to Settings-Network and select to connect and enter WPA password, but eventually got internet access.
  This time, "updating cache" downloaded bunches of stuff.
  When Driver Manager returned, "Apply changes" was greyed-out.
  Closed Driver Manager.
  Shut down, pulled dongle, started up again...
  same

• Did a bunch more forum searching.
• $ lspci -nn -d 14e4:
  reports my system uses:
  [14e4:4365] (rev 01)
• looked in table and it says I need:
  bcmw1-kernel-source
  [with dongle plugged in again...]
  $ sudo apt install bcmw1-kernel-source
  but while ... Reading,,, Building... & Reading... all worked,
  E: Unable to locate package
• more searching said:
  confirm that you have kernel headers installed and updated:
  $ sudo apt-get install linux-generic
  But this brought up another dialog box,
  saying UEFI Secure Boot needed additional configuration to work with 3rd-party drivers,
  and that a new MOK key (Machine-Owner Key) had been generated,
  and I needed to enter a password to confirm it all...
  but when I finally got back to the screen after more searching and pressed Enter to confirm "OK",
  nothing happened...
• Per instructions (even though previous command seems to have failed), executed:
  $ sudo apt-get install bcmwl-kernel-source
  Error said dpkg had been interrupted and the problem needed to be corrected with:
  $ sudo dpkg --configure -a
  This appeared to execute successfully.
• $ sudo apt-get install bcmw1-kernel-source
  again unable to locate package.
• Inspiration to check to see if I was transcribing the driver name correctly, and indeed I was not, I had it as bcmw 1="one", but it should have been l="ell". Doh.
  Made the correction, did the install, and message said already installed.
  Rebooted, but still no wifi
• $ sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
  no errors, then:
  $ sudo modprobe -r ssb_hcd
  $ sudo modprobe -r b43
  $ sudo modprobe -r ssb
  $ sudo modprobe ssb
  $ sudo modprobe ssb_hcd
  $ sudo modprobe b43
  All executed without errors (or any other readout...),
  but after re-booting, still no wifi.

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eof