I'm running an ubuntu liveCD to 1) try and recover a laptop hard drive, and then b) get rid of XP completely and run only ubuntu. Im having issues installing the broadcom firmware for the wireless card. I'm using the instructions here:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...ernet%20access

So I'm going through with sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter which seems to work, but then I try sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer, and it tells me that the installer cannot be found, and there are no drivers to choose from in my list under system>admin>addl drivers. Help? I am very new to linux but I have a desktop that I am planning to do the same thing with so I'm hoping I can muddle through this.

System > Configuration > Hardware Drivers will likely have a check-box if you need the proprietary driver.
... this is best done after full installation.

I take it you have identified your card as bcm43xx using lspci?

correct, it is a bcm4306.

System > Configuration > Hardware Drivers

Ok I think there may be a more fundamental problem. I was able to recover windows and log back in through XP, and even in XP, the computer is not recognizing that there's a wireless card. I know there's one in there, but not sure what the problem is, so this project is getting back-burnered for now. Thanks for the help!

The recovered windows may not have the driver either... depends how you did the recovery, you may have to download drivers and install them.
The wifi could be broken too... unlikely.
The installed Ubuntu has more software than the live edition, and better HW detection.
When you get the chance, try the hardware drivers tool ... for me this was just a matter of checking the box.
Or just use a dongle.