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

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  • If you think it is better that I ask this question inside the comments of question mentioned above, then let me know.
    – Sadegh
    Feb 7, 2016 at 11:41
  • 1
    Possible duplicate of Installing Broadcom Wireless Drivers
    – Pilot6
    Feb 7, 2016 at 11:42
  • did you read my quesiton? I know it is a duplicate of that question but my problem is related to some special unknown case in that question.
    – Sadegh
    Feb 7, 2016 at 11:46
  • Nothing is unknown. Did you see the table? It is firmware-b43-installer.
    – Pilot6
    Feb 7, 2016 at 11:47
  • I am using 15.10 version. for that version it is unknown.
    – Sadegh
    Feb 7, 2016 at 11:49

1 Answer 1

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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.

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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, 2016 at 10:35
  • 1
    These are different drivers. See askubuntu.com/questions/55868/… This is a solution to install the firmware without an internet connection.
    – Pilot6
    Feb 10, 2016 at 10:36
  • 1
    This worked for me in the installed system but not in the installer (which would be good to fetch updates).
    – Melebius
    Jun 28, 2017 at 9:45
  • 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, 2020 at 10:18
  • b43 is always installed. It is part of linux kernel. But it needs firmware.
    – Pilot6
    Jun 29, 2020 at 11:12

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