/lib/firmware directory is empty

I was just about to report the same bug, seen on Kubuntu Intrepid alpha-2 i386. This is a regression from Hardy, where the wireless on my Lenovo ThinkPad X61s worked out of the box.

The problem is that the package «linux-restricted-modules-common» (and its dependency «binutils-static») isn't installed by default. It's included on the CD, so if you install them manually with dpkg (or whatever), it will work correctly after a reboot.

Tore.

Thanks for the hint.

Looks as if firmwares have been migrated from linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.24-16-* packages (hardy) to linux-restricted-modules-common (intrepid). This means that I have to enable restricted again. Is this really intended? If yes, why weren't firmwares put into restricted in the first place?

Hi Tore and Andreas. If the issue is that the firmware isn't installed by default, then linux is probably not the correct package, although I am not sure which is (perhaps ubiquity?). However if they have been rightfully moved to restricted, then I don't think they are supposed to be installed by default, however you should get some restricted dialog prompting you to install them.

The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. There are one of two ways you should be able to test:

1) If you are comfortable installing packages on your own, the linux-image-2.6.27-* package is currently available for you to install and test.

--or--

2) The upcoming Alpha5 for Intrepid Ibex 8.10 will contain this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. Alpha5 is set to be released Thursday Sept 4. Please watch http://www.ubuntu.com/testing for Alpha5 to be announced. You should then be able to test via a LiveCD.

Please let us know immediately if this newer 2.6.27 kernel resolves the bug reported here or if the issue remains. More importantly, please open a new bug report for each new bug/regression introduced by the 2.6.27 kernel and tag the bug report with 'linux-2.6.27'. Also, please specifically note if the issue does or does not appear in the 2.6.26 kernel. Thanks again, we really appreicate your help and feedback.

On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 12:54:08AM -0000, Leann Ogasawara wrote:
> The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the
> upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would
> appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel.
> There are one of two ways you should be able to test:

This was fixed earlier in 2.6.26; linux-restricted-modules-common contains
firmware again.

--
 - mdz

The original issue is resolved; there is an outstanding question to be answered in https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/248697/comments/2 but that may be better taken up on the kernel-team mailing list. At least the firmware is available now.