Broadcom b43 Wifi no longer working in 16.04

[ben]

I've installed the new 16.04.1 (elementaryOS Loki) - removed `wl` wifi driver [which for some reason was installed even though I did NOT choose the option to install non-free software (mp3, etc..)].

I then connected via ethernet, installed b43 via its `firmware-installer` package.

My wifi sometimes works, ie. if manages to join a network, then all is cool, no disconnects, no problem.

But many many times though, I can't join a wifi network.. :(

Let me know any further info, test, and/or troubleshooting I can do to help figure out where this regression is coming from.

I say regression because I was using 14.04.5 (elementaryOS Freya) and used b43 as wifi driver - and never had problems with wifi networks, it just worked fine.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: elementary 0.4
Package: linux-image-4.4.0-38-generic 4.4.0-38.57 [modified: boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-38-generic] [origin: Ubuntu]
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-38.57-generic 4.4.19
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-38-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.1
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ben 1764 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: Pantheon
Date: Sat Oct 8 11:57:22 2016
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=cb3f9d25-a669-4e37-88a8-5d2849db0489
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-10-01 (6 days ago)
InstallationMedia: elementary OS 0.4 "Loki" - Stable amd64 (20160921)
MachineType: Apple Inc. MacBookPro7,1
ProcFB: 0 nouveaufb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-4.4.0-38-generic.efi.signed root=/dev/mapper/elementary--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.4.0-38-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.4.0-38-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.157.3
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 11/07/11
dmi.bios.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.bios.version: MBP71.88Z.0039.B0E.1111071400
dmi.board.name: Mac-F222BEC8
dmi.board.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Apple Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: Mac-F222BEC8
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAppleInc.:bvrMBP71.88Z.0039.B0E.1111071400:bd11/07/11:svnAppleInc.:pnMacBookPro7,1:pvr1.0:rvnAppleInc.:rnMac-F222BEC8:rvr:cvnAppleInc.:ct10:cvrMac-F222BEC8:
dmi.product.name: MacBookPro7,1
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: Apple Inc.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.8 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.8

[ben (uaqben)]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Didn't have time before, but today I installed the upstream 4.8 kernel.

I will report back after a few days of usage (as the wifi issue I have with the stock 16.04 kernel(s) is intermittent; some times wifi works upon boot, sometimes it doesn't; it's quite random..but it most often fails).

[ben (uaqben)]

upon first reboot with latest upstream kernel 4.8.6 - the wifi failed. Had to unload/reload b43 twice (`modeprobe -r b43 bcma && modeprobe b43`) before it picked up.

:(

[ben (uaqben)]

Ok. After a few days of usage & quite a many boot sequences, I can confirm that this wifi issue with b43 driver is not solved with the 4.8.6 kernel.. 4/5 times upon booting I have to unload & reload b43 (usually twice before it kicks in) :(

Anything else I can do/provide to help troubleshoot the source of this regression?

Thanks

[ben (uaqben)]

anything else I can do/test/provide?

[ben (uaqben)]

Any further info I can provide; test(s) I can run; recommendations I can try?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]