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How can I install firmware-b43-installer driver if I can't connect to internet by wire?

Sadegh
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1 Answers1

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You need to install firmware-b43-installer.

If you do not have an alternative internet connection, do it this way.

If you installed bcmwl-kernel-source, then remove it.

    sudo apt-get purge bcmwl-kernel-source
  1. Download these files

http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_015-9_amd64.deb http://www.lwfinger.com/b43-firmware/broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2

  1. Copy them to your Ubuntu Home folder.

  2. Run in terminal

    sudo dpkg -i b43-fwcutter_015-9_amd64.deb
tar xfvj broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2
sudo b43-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/wl_apsta.o

  3. Reboot or run:

    sudo modprobe b43

Note: For 32-bit systems download http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_019-2_i386.deb instead of amd64 and update the file name in the dpkg command.

For Ubuntu 16.04 http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_019-2_amd64.deb should be installed or the i386 alternative.

If you are having trouble finding another computer, an Android phone can be used as a USB modem. You can connect the phone and choose "USB modem" in settings.

Pilot6
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  • What is the difference between this solution and this one? I am asking this question because I have a serious problem with my wireless connection as it goes off frequently so I was thinking maybe there are some differences between solutions that may help me find the problem. – Sadegh Feb 10 '16 at 10:35
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    These are different drivers. See http://askubuntu.com/questions/55868/installing-broadcom-wireless-drivers This is a solution to install the firmware without an internet connection. – Pilot6 Feb 10 '16 at 10:36
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    This worked for me in the installed system but not in the installer (which would be good to fetch updates). – Melebius Jun 28 '17 at 09:45
  • I'm trying to create portable Linux install that can work on almost any hardware. My Macbook's wifi works with the bcmwl drivers. However, for maximal compatibility, I want to also have the b43 driver installed so it can be auto-loaded when necessary. Hence , removing bcmwl is not an option at all. So, can i install b43 drivers side-by-side with bcwml and have it do its job if i use a system which needs bcmwl and not b43 ? – An Ant Jun 29 '20 at 10:18
  • b43 is always installed. It is part of linux kernel. But it needs firmware. – Pilot6 Jun 29 '20 at 11:12
  • The download links above do no work anymore. Can anyone give new links? – Jono Jan 31 '23 at 07:49
  • Package numbers changed, but you can find new ones at the same place. – Pilot6 Jan 31 '23 at 10:41
  • Indeed @Pilot6 you are right. I found these links: https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_019-7build2_amd64.deb & http://www.lwfinger.com/b43-firmware/broadcom-wl-6.30.163.46.tar.bz2 – Jono Jan 31 '23 at 12:42
  • @Pilot6 I have followed your steps (with the new files I found) and my Wifi still doesn't work. It has worked before, but after the automatic updates from earlier this week, it stopped working. – Jono Jan 31 '23 at 13:01
  • You can ask a question. This is a wrong place for it. – Pilot6 Jan 31 '23 at 13:03