Macbook Air 1,1 2008 BCM4321 WIFI

[nun101]

I have been trying for a year on and off to get the WIFI working with Mint, Ubuntu, and Manjaro. Back in the day it worked with a proprietary driver on Mint 17 ish probably installed in legacy mode but I can't remember.

I have been using linux for a quite a few years now but am still basically a beginner with decent searching skills.

Please keep in mind that this laptop has a 32 bit "efi" and 64 bit hardware. In my searching, some have suggested that due to this Linux should be installed in Legacy mode to get WIFI working but I have not been able to figure out how to legacy install alongside OSX.

As of right now, no wifi networks are detected by BCM4321

inxi -Fxxxza
System:
  Host: marc-pc Kernel: 5.3.18-1-MANJARO x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc 
  v: 9.2.0 
  parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.3-x86_64 
  root=UUID=427c7f84-b3f1-4420-9415-42aac8b17115 rw quiet apparmor=1 
  security=apparmor resume=UUID=0bee1f1e-012d-42fb-a283-a01f6fe4043b 
  udev.log_priority=3 
  Desktop: Xfce 4.14.2 tk: Gtk 3.24.13 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm4 
  dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Manjaro Linux 
Machine:
  Type: Unknown System: Apple product: MacBookAir1,1 v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 2 v: Mac-F42C8CC8 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F42C8CC8 v: PVT serial: <filter> UEFI: Apple 
  v: MBA11.88Z.00BB.B03.0803171226 date: 03/17/08 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 26.7 Wh condition: 26.7/31.1 Wh (86%) volts: 8.3/7.4 
  model: SMP ASMB014 type: Li-ion serial: N/A status: Full cycles: 37 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core2 Duo P7700 bits: 64 type: MCP 
  arch: Core Merom family: 6 model-id: F (15) stepping: B (11) microcode: BA 
  L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 7185 
  Speed: 798 MHz min/max: 800/1800 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1005 2: 1188 
  Vulnerabilities: Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: Split huge pages 
  Type: l1tf mitigation: PTE Inversion; VMX: EPT disabled 
  Type: mds 
  status: Vulnerable: Clear CPU buffers attempted, no microcode; SMT disabled 
  Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI 
  Type: spec_store_bypass status: Vulnerable 
  Type: spectre_v1 
  mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization 
  Type: spectre_v2 
  mitigation: Full generic retpoline, STIBP: disabled, RSB filling 
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics vendor: Apple 
  driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:2a02 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.7 driver: intel unloaded: modesetting 
  alternate: fbdev,vesa tty: N/A 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 965GM v: 2.1 Mesa 19.3.2 
  direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 82801H HD Audio vendor: Apple driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:284b 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.3.18-1-MANJARO 
Network:
  Device-1: Broadcom and subsidiaries BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n 
  vendor: Apple AirPort Extreme driver: wl v: kernel port: efa0 
  bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 14e4:4328 
  IF: wls4 state: dormant mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: TP-Link TL-WN722N v2 type: USB driver: r8188eu bus ID: 2-1:6 
  chip ID: 2357:010c serial: <filter> 
  IF: wlp0s29f7u1 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 55.90 GiB used: 8.14 GiB (14.6%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: MCCOE64GEMPP size: 55.90 GiB 
  block size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: <unknown> 
  serial: <filter> rev: 09 scheme: GPT 
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw size: 28.82 GiB size: 28.24 GiB (98.00%) 
  used: 8.12 GiB (28.8%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda4 
  ID-2: swap-1 size: 3.72 GiB used: 1024 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap 
  swappiness: 60 (default) cache pressure: 100 (default) dev: /dev/sda5 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 66.0 C mobo: N/A 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Info:
  Processes: 172 Uptime: 13m Memory: 1.92 GiB used: 1.16 GiB (60.5%) 
  Init: systemd v: 242 Compilers: gcc: 9.2.0 Shell: bash v: 5.0.11 
  running in: xfce4-terminal inxi: 3.0.37

dkms status
bash: dkms: command not found

rfkill list all
0: hci0: Bluetooth
	Soft blocked: yes
	Hard blocked: no
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
	Soft blocked: no
	Hard blocked: no

lsmod | sort
ac                     16384  0
acpi_als               20480  0
acpi_cpufreq           28672  1
agpgart                53248  3 intel_agp,intel_gtt,drm
ahci                   40960  0
apple_bl               20480  0
applesmc               24576  0
ata_generic            16384  0
ata_piix               36864  3
bcm5974                24576  0
bluetooth             675840  37 btrtl,btintel,btbcm,bnep,btusb,rfcomm
bnep                   28672  2
btbcm                  16384  1 btusb
btintel                28672  1 btusb
btrtl                  24576  1 btusb
btusb                  65536  0
cfg80211              856064  2 wl,r8188eu
coretemp               20480  0
crc16                  16384  2 bluetooth,ext4
crc32c_generic         16384  2
crypto_user            16384  0
drm                   520192  5 drm_kms_helper,i915
drm_kms_helper        217088  1 i915
ecc                    32768  1 ecdh_generic
ecdh_generic           16384  1 bluetooth
ehci_hcd               98304  1 ehci_pci
ehci_pci               20480  0
evdev                  24576  14
ext4                  770048  1
fat                    86016  1 vfat
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
fuse                  139264  3
hid                   143360  4 usbhid,hid_apple,hid_generic,hid_appleir
hid_apple              16384  0
hid_appleir            16384  0
hid_generic            16384  0
i2c_algo_bit           16384  1 i915
i2c_i801               36864  0
i915                 2334720  7
industrialio           90112  2 acpi_als,kfifo_buf
input_leds             16384  0
input_polldev          20480  1 applesmc
intel_agp              24576  0
intel_gtt              24576  2 intel_agp,i915
ip_tables              36864  0
irqbypass              16384  1 kvm
iTCO_vendor_support    16384  1 iTCO_wdt
iTCO_wdt               16384  0
jbd2                  135168  1 ext4
joydev                 28672  0
kfifo_buf              16384  1 acpi_als
kvm                   786432  1 kvm_intel
kvm_intel             311296  0
ledtrig_audio          16384  2 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
lib80211               16384  1 r8188eu
libahci                40960  1 ahci
libata                282624  5 ata_piix,libahci,ahci,pata_acpi,ata_generic
loop                   40960  0
lpc_ich                28672  0
mac_hid                16384  0
mbcache                16384  1 ext4
mc                     61440  4 videodev,videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
Module                  Size  Used by
mousedev               24576  0
nls_cp437              20480  1
nls_iso8859_1          16384  1
pata_acpi              16384  0
pcspkr                 16384  0
r8188eu               487424  0
rfcomm                 90112  16
rfkill                 28672  6 bluetooth,cfg80211
sbs                    20480  0
sbshc                  16384  1 sbs
scsi_mod              249856  2 sd_mod,libata
sd_mod                 57344  4
snd                   110592  11 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_timer,snd_pcm
snd_hda_codec         159744  3 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_generic    94208  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_realtek   126976  1
snd_hda_core          102400  4 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_intel          57344  2
snd_hwdep              20480  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm               139264  3 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_core
snd_timer              40960  1 snd_pcm
soundcore              16384  1 snd
squashfs               69632  0
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
uhci_hcd               53248  0
uinput                 20480  0
usbhid                 65536  0
uvcvideo              114688  0
vfat                   24576  1
videobuf2_common       57344  2 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo
videobuf2_memops       20480  1 videobuf2_vmalloc
videobuf2_v4l2         28672  1 uvcvideo
videobuf2_vmalloc      20480  1 uvcvideo
videodev              237568  3 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
wl                   6467584  0
x_tables               49152  1 ip_tables

sudo mhwd-kernel -li
[sudo] password for marc: 
Currently running: 5.3.18-1-MANJARO (linux53)
The following kernels are installed in your system:
   * linux53

sudo dmesg | grep -Ei 'b43|bcma|brcm|wl|[F]irm|deauth'
[    0.339859] acpi PNP0A08:00: [Firmware Info]: MMCONFIG for domain 0000 [bus 00-3f] only partially covers this bridge
[    3.129207] usb 5-2: Product: BRCM2046 Hub
[   13.486510] wl: loading out-of-tree module taints kernel.
[   13.486518] wl: module license 'MIXED/Proprietary' taints kernel.
[   13.554038] wl: module verification failed: signature and/or required key missing - tainting kernel
[   13.669330] wlan0: Broadcom BCM4328 802.11 Hybrid Wireless Controller 6.30.223.271 (r587334)
[   13.729868] wl 0000:02:00.0 wls4: renamed from wlan0
[   15.070182] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[   15.070185] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[   41.060104] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[   41.060107] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[   60.825927] r8188eu 2-1:1.0 wlp0s29f7u1: renamed from wlan0
[   64.771551] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlp0s29f7u1: link becomes ready
[   74.050207] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[   74.050211] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  117.060441] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  117.060443] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  170.050665] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  170.050670] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  233.064201] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  233.064206] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  296.050182] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  296.050188] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  359.086746] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  359.086749] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  422.046736] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  422.046739] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  485.060188] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  485.060191] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  548.047071] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  548.047074] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  611.064383] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  611.064388] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  674.083437] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  674.083442] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  737.066728] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  737.066731] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  800.050139] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  800.050143] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  863.063707] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  863.063712] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  926.050276] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  926.050279] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  989.090075] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  989.090080] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[  990.103375] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[  990.103379] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[ 1054.046641] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[ 1054.046644] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)
[ 1117.063401] ERROR @wl_notify_scan_status : 
[ 1117.063406] wls4 Scan_results error (-22)

grep -r "blacklist\|install\|options"  /etc/modprobe.d/
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist b43
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist b43legacy
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist ssb
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist bcm43xx
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist brcm80211
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist brcmfmac
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist brcmsmac
/etc/modprobe.d/linux53-broadcom-wl.conf:blacklist bcma

pacman -Qsq linux | grep linux | grep -v -E '(arch|util|sys|api|firmware)' | grep -v nvidia
linux53
linux53-broadcom-wl

hwinfo --netcard --wlan --bluetooth | grep -Ei "model:|driver:|status:|cmd:|file:|detected:" | grep -v "Config Status"
Model: "Apple AirPort Extreme"
Driver: "wl"
Device File: wls4
Link detected: yes
Driver Status: ssb is not active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe ssb"
Driver Status: wl is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe wl"
Model: "TP-Link TL-WN722N v2"
Driver: "r8188eu"
Device File: wlp0s29f7u1
Link detected: yes
Driver Status: r8188eu is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe r8188eu"
Model: "Apple Bluetooth USB Host Controller"
Driver Status: btusb is active
Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe btusb"

[nun101]

Additionally, when I follow the instructions here, sudo rmmod ssb fails because its a shared module?

Broadcom WIFI driver fails

[tbg]

Welcome to Manjaro, and I must congratulate you on your very thorough command outputs.

However, I could use a few more.

Please post:

lsmod | sort

lspci -knnvvv | grep -i broadcom

First let's start with the easy stuff.

Kernel 5.3 is end of life, you should be installing and testing alternate kernels such as 4.19, 5.4 or 5.5.

Disable MAC Address Randomization in NetworkManager with the following command:

echo -e "[device]\nwifi.scan-rand-mac-address=no" | sudo tee /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/disable-random-mac.conf

After creating the new conf file, reboot both your router and your computer.

If those measures do not work, the fixes unfortunately get more complicated after that.

Good luck.

[tbg]

The commands below will blacklist all broadcom WiFi drivers (as well as adding a few other helpful boot parameters). This can be used as a test to see if you have conflicting driver modules loading. You can then manually start up the driver you want to test (after startup) using the modprope command.

Run the following commands to automatically add the new kernel boot parameters:

sudo cp /etc/default/grub /etc/default/grub.bak && sudo sed '/^GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=/s/"$/ ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 module_blacklist=wl,b43,b43legacy,bcma,ssb,brcmsmac,brcmfmac,mac80211,cfg80211"/g' -i /etc/default/grub

After adding the boot parameters, run:

sudo update-grub 

The process will take a little while to complete, and this is perfectly normal.

Once the grub update process is complete, reboot.

After you have completed the steps above and rebooted, issue this command:

inxi -SMa; hwinfo --netcard --bluetooth | grep -Ei "(hotplug|speed|model|status|cmd|file|detected|driver:)" | grep -v "Config S" && lsmod |sort

Post the output of the above command after it was run.

Next load the b43 kernel driver/module:

sudo modprobe b43 && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

If your adapter is still not working, then restart again.

After restarting run this command:

sudo modprobe wl && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

After the above command was run, put your computer into suspend if your wifi is still not working.. After resuming from suspend test if your wifi is working. Although an awkward workaround you may continue using this method if it works.

If either of the above methods work, modprobing the preferred driver may be made automatic by creating a systemd startup service. With the correct service you will no longer need to manually modprobe the required driver.

Here is an example of a startup service for the broadcom bcrmsmac driver:

BCM4313 - Broadcom Wi-Fi - Which Driver to use?

Blacklist the wl, brcm80211 and b43 modules and all its dependencies. With a root capable text editor create the following blacklist file: /etc/modprobe.d/brcmsmac.conf Use this command to create the required conf file: sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/brcmsmac.conf Paste the following into the new conf file: blacklist mac80211 blacklist brcm80211 blacklist brcmsmac blacklist brcmfmac blacklist cfg80211 blacklist lib80211_crypt_tkip blacklist lib80211 blacklist b43 blacklist b43legacy blacklist b…

You would need to substitute your desired driver for the brcmsmac driver in the service:

Example:

ExecStart=/usr/bin/modprobe b43

Or:

ExecStart=/usr/bin/modprobe wl

---

If none of those changes improve your connectivity you can restore the grub file to its original state with:

sudo cp /etc/default/grub.bak /etc/default/grub

After restoring the file, again run:

sudo update-grub 

Then reboot again.

---

I hope some of that helps you get things working.

[nun101]

I installed 5.4 kernel. 4.19 ran very poorly with a long boot time and stuttering during use. I tried everything in your first reply and so far no change, still no WIFI networks. I am now going to work through the next set of suggestions. If I recall correctly, last time I had wifi working back in the day it was using proprietary drivers.

I don't have internet at home right now so I am at a coffee shop where I am unable to restart their router etc.

lsmod | sort
ac                     16384  0
acpi_als               20480  0
acpi_cpufreq           28672  1
agpgart                53248  3 intel_agp,intel_gtt,drm
ahci                   40960  0
apple_bl               20480  0
applesmc               24576  0
ata_generic            16384  0
ata_piix               36864  3
bcm5974                24576  0
bluetooth             671744  37 btrtl,btintel,btbcm,bnep,btusb,rfcomm
bnep                   28672  2
btbcm                  16384  1 btusb
btintel                28672  1 btusb
btrfs                1482752  0
btrtl                  24576  1 btusb
btusb                  65536  0
cfg80211              851968  2 wl,r8188eu
coretemp               20480  0
crc16                  16384  2 bluetooth,ext4
crc32c_generic         16384  3
crypto_user            16384  0
dm_mod                159744  0
drm                   520192  6 drm_kms_helper,i915
drm_kms_helper        217088  1 i915
ecc                    32768  1 ecdh_generic
ecdh_generic           16384  1 bluetooth
ehci_hcd               98304  1 ehci_pci
ehci_pci               20480  0
evdev                  24576  14
ext4                  782336  1
fat                    86016  2 msdos,vfat
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
fuse                  139264  2
hfs                    73728  0
hfsplus               122880  0
hid                   143360  4 usbhid,hid_apple,hid_generic,hid_appleir
hid_apple              16384  0
hid_appleir            16384  0
hid_generic            16384  0
i2c_algo_bit           16384  1 i915
i2c_i801               36864  0
i915                 2379776  8
industrialio           86016  2 acpi_als,kfifo_buf
input_leds             16384  0
input_polldev          20480  1 applesmc
intel_agp              24576  0
intel_gtt              24576  2 intel_agp,i915
ip_tables              36864  0
irqbypass              16384  1 kvm
iTCO_vendor_support    16384  1 iTCO_wdt
iTCO_wdt               16384  0
jbd2                  135168  1 ext4
jfs                   217088  0
joydev                 28672  0
kfifo_buf              16384  1 acpi_als
kvm                   790528  1 kvm_intel
kvm_intel             311296  0
ledtrig_audio          16384  2 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
lib80211               16384  1 r8188eu
libahci                40960  1 ahci
libata                274432  5 ata_piix,libahci,ahci,pata_acpi,ata_generic
libcrc32c              16384  2 btrfs,xfs
loop                   40960  0
lpc_ich                28672  0
mac_hid                16384  0
mbcache                16384  1 ext4
mc                     61440  4 videodev,videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
minix                  45056  0
Module                  Size  Used by
mousedev               24576  0
msdos                  20480  0
nls_cp437              20480  1
nls_iso8859_1          16384  1
ntfs                  229376  0
pata_acpi              16384  0
pcspkr                 16384  0
r8188eu               487424  0
raid6_pq              122880  1 btrfs
rfcomm                 90112  16
rfkill                 28672  6 bluetooth,cfg80211
sbs                    20480  0
sbshc                  16384  1 sbs
scsi_mod              249856  2 sd_mod,libata
sd_mod                 57344  4
snd                   106496  11 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_timer,snd_pcm
snd_hda_codec         155648  3 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_generic    94208  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_realtek   126976  1
snd_hda_core          102400  4 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_intel          53248  2
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_intel_nhlt         20480  1 snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm               135168  3 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_core
snd_timer              40960  1 snd_pcm
soundcore              16384  1 snd
squashfs               69632  0
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
ufs                    94208  0
uhci_hcd               53248  0
uinput                 20480  0
usbhid                 65536  0
uvcvideo              114688  0
vfat                   24576  1
videobuf2_common       57344  2 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo
videobuf2_memops       20480  1 videobuf2_vmalloc
videobuf2_v4l2         28672  1 uvcvideo
videobuf2_vmalloc      20480  1 uvcvideo
videodev              249856  3 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
wl                   6467584  0
xfs                  1753088  0
xor                    24576  1 btrfs
x_tables               49152  1 ip_tables

lspci -knnvvv | grep -i broadcom
02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Inc. and subsidiaries BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n [14e4:4328] (rev 05)

[nun101]

After the first two commands (cp and grub update) I have no wifi even with USB. No devices available.

inxi -SMa; hwinfo --netcard --bluetooth | grep -Ei "(hotplug|speed|model|status|cmd|file|detected|driver:)" | grep -v "Config S" && lsmod |sort
System:
  Host: marc-pc Kernel: 5.4.15-2-MANJARO x86_64 bits: 64 
  parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.4-x86_64 
  root=UUID=427c7f84-b3f1-4420-9415-42aac8b17115 rw quiet apparmor=1 
  security=apparmor resume=UUID=0bee1f1e-012d-42fb-a283-a01f6fe4043b 
  udev.log_priority=3 ipv6.disable=1 ifnames=0 
  module_blacklist=wl,b43,b43legacy,bcma,ssb,brcmsmac,brcmfmac,mac80211,cfg80211 
  Desktop: Xfce 4.14.2 Distro: Manjaro Linux 
Machine:
  Type: Unknown System: Apple product: MacBookAir1,1 v: 1.0 
  serial: <root required> 
  Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F42C8CC8 v: PVT serial: <root required> UEFI: Apple 
  v: MBA11.88Z.00BB.B03.0803171226 date: 03/17/08 
  Model: "Apple AirPort Extreme"
    Driver Status: ssb is not active
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe ssb"
    Driver Status: wl is not active
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe wl"
  Model: "Apple Bluetooth USB Host Controller"
  Hotplug: USB
  Speed: 12 Mbps
    Driver Status: btusb is active
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe btusb"
ac                     16384  0
acpi_als               20480  0
acpi_cpufreq           28672  1
agpgart                53248  3 intel_agp,intel_gtt,drm
ahci                   40960  0
apple_bl               20480  0
applesmc               24576  0
ata_generic            16384  0
ata_piix               36864  3
bcm5974                24576  0
bluetooth             671744  37 btrtl,btintel,btbcm,bnep,btusb,rfcomm
bnep                   28672  2
btbcm                  16384  1 btusb
btintel                28672  1 btusb
btrtl                  24576  1 btusb
btusb                  65536  0
coretemp               20480  0
crc16                  16384  2 bluetooth,ext4
crc32c_generic         16384  2
crypto_user            16384  0
drm                   520192  5 drm_kms_helper,i915
drm_kms_helper        217088  1 i915
ecc                    32768  1 ecdh_generic
ecdh_generic           16384  1 bluetooth
ehci_hcd               98304  1 ehci_pci
ehci_pci               20480  0
evdev                  24576  14
ext4                  782336  1
fat                    86016  1 vfat
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
fuse                  139264  3
hid                   143360  4 usbhid,hid_apple,hid_generic,hid_appleir
hid_apple              16384  0
hid_appleir            16384  0
hid_generic            16384  0
i2c_algo_bit           16384  1 i915
i2c_i801               36864  0
i915                 2379776  7
industrialio           86016  2 acpi_als,kfifo_buf
input_leds             16384  0
input_polldev          20480  1 applesmc
intel_agp              24576  0
intel_gtt              24576  2 intel_agp,i915
ip_tables              36864  0
irqbypass              16384  1 kvm
iTCO_vendor_support    16384  1 iTCO_wdt
iTCO_wdt               16384  0
jbd2                  135168  1 ext4
joydev                 28672  0
kfifo_buf              16384  1 acpi_als
kvm                   790528  1 kvm_intel
kvm_intel             311296  0
ledtrig_audio          16384  2 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
libahci                40960  1 ahci
libata                274432  5 ata_piix,libahci,ahci,pata_acpi,ata_generic
loop                   40960  0
lpc_ich                28672  0
mac_hid                16384  0
mbcache                16384  1 ext4
mc                     61440  4 videodev,videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
Module                  Size  Used by
mousedev               24576  0
nls_cp437              20480  1
nls_iso8859_1          16384  1
pata_acpi              16384  0
pcspkr                 16384  0
rfcomm                 90112  16
rfkill                 28672  4 bluetooth
sbs                    20480  0
sbshc                  16384  1 sbs
scsi_mod              249856  2 sd_mod,libata
sd_mod                 57344  4
snd                   106496  11 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_timer,snd_pcm
snd_hda_codec         155648  3 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_generic    94208  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_codec_realtek   126976  1
snd_hda_core          102400  4 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_intel          53248  2
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_intel_nhlt         20480  1 snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm               135168  3 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_core
snd_timer              40960  1 snd_pcm
soundcore              16384  1 snd
squashfs               69632  0
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
uhci_hcd               53248  0
uinput                 20480  0
usbhid                 65536  0
uvcvideo              114688  0
vfat                   24576  1
videobuf2_common       57344  2 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo
videobuf2_memops       20480  1 videobuf2_vmalloc
videobuf2_v4l2         28672  1 uvcvideo
videobuf2_vmalloc      20480  1 uvcvideo
videodev              249856  3 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
x_tables               49152  1 ip_tables

sudo modprobe b43 && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
[sudo] password for marc: 
modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'b43': Operation not permitted

sudo modprobe wl && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
[sudo] password for marc: 
modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'wl': Operation not permitted

[tbg]

Revert the grub file to its original state by using the copy command I gave earlier, then update-grub.

[tbg]

After restoring the grub file, instead of using a kernel parameter we will use a blacklist file.

Run the following command to auto-generate a blacklist_broadcom.conf file:

Run this command:

echo -e "blacklist mac80211\nblacklist brcm80211\nblacklist brcmsmac\nblacklist brcmfmac\nblacklist cfg80211\nblacklist lib80211_crypt_tkip\nblacklist lib80211\nblacklist b43\nblacklist b43legacy\nblacklist bcma\nblacklist ssb\nblacklist wl" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist_broadcom.conf

Then restart.

After restarting load the b43 kernel driver/module with this command:

sudo modprobe b43 && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

If your adapter is still not working with the b43 driver, then restart again.

After restarting run this command to load the wl driver:

sudo modprobe wl && sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

If after the above command your wifi is still not working, then put your computer into suspend for 30 seconds. After resuming from suspend test if your wifi is working.

[nun101]

So I have some good news.
After sudo modprobe wl etc and resuming from suspend the networks became visible and I am currently connected to the internet.
Is there a way to make it permanent?

[tbg]

The wl driver can be made to load automatically after start up with a service.

Create the following file with a root capable text editor:

/etc/systemd/system/broadcom_wl.service

Add the following contents to the file:

#/etc/systemd/system/broadcom_wl.service
#sudo systemctl enable broadcom_wl.service
#sudo systemctl start broadcom_wl.service
#systemctl list-unit-files --state=enabled
#sudo systemctl status broadcom_wl.service
#sudo systemctl stop broadcom_wl.service
#sudo systemctl disable broadcom_wl.service
#sudo systemctl daemon-reload

[Unit]
Description=Load wl module after start up
After=network-pre.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStartPre=sleep 3
ExecStart=/usr/bin/modprobe wl

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Once you have created and saved the service file, enable the service:

sudo systemctl enable broadcom_wl.service

Then reboot the computer.

The service will load the wl driver after booting, but the not working without suspending part is probably a kernel issue and very hard to cure.

[nun101]

I created a file using nano. It warned me about pasting in SUDO commands but I did it anyway just as you wrote. I will report back if anything didn't work.

Should I make a bug report about the suspend issue?

Should I make a new post in another section?

[tbg]

The best real solution is to test out as many kernels as possible for improvement.

The other possible cure is a bios update, so be sure your bios is completely up to date.

If your bios is already up to date then filing a kernel bug report would be a good idea if you can't find any similar already reported.

[nun101]

What is the oldest yet secure/updated kernel I could use? I do recall back in the day not having to suspend/wake to enable networks.

Mostly I'm just happy 5.4 doesn't stutter and take forever to boot like 4.19 does. I'll spend some time looking for similar bug reports.

Where would I look for bug reports and where would I submit one if nothing similar is found?

Thank you for your help.

[tbg]

Your welcome, and I'm glad that helped.

You probably want to check:

https://bugzilla.kernel.org

https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.html

I find kernel 4.14 is a good kernel for older hardware.

[nun101]

One adverse effect to note. When I do the suspend and awaken it seems that my touchpad settings change, I lose the ability to tap click. Changing the setting does not work. Upon restart tap click works again.