How to install firmware from a file ?

TokTok · 05-24-2020, 12:21 PM

I installed debian to my PC but it did not install the WiFi or Nic firmware so USB modem won`t connect. I have 2 different file types but the specific one for the Wifi modem is in a regular folder with all the files needed so my question how to install all the files in the folder to lib/firmware they are all related to the specific firmware i need to install. A image is attached to review.
Ps. I don`t want to install each one by one but just a one time deal.

teckk · 05-24-2020, 12:51 PM

Installing random software/firmware to your machine that does not match the kernel/libs is not a good idea. Where did you get those files? Are they made for the version of linux that you are using? Do they contain all of the needed dependencies? Do they conflict with what's already on your box? There is no support in your distros repo for your hardware? Debian has huge repositories. Is it brand new hardware? That's what package manager are for. So that you don't break things.

Start with the hardware.

Code:

lspci -k
lsusb
dmesg -w

Then when you know what hardware that you have, see if there is already support in your repo for it.

Quote:

I installed debian to my PC but it did not install the WiFi or Nic firmware so USB modem won`t connect.

How do you know that bad/missing firmware is the reason? What network manager does debian use, or which one are you using? apt? Do you have the network managers configuration file configured? Is there something that tells you that the firmware is missing?

Also what it the ouput of

Code:

ip a
uname -a

TokTok · 05-24-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckk

Installing random software/firmware to your machine that does not match the kernel/libs is not a good idea. Where did you get those files? Are they made for the version of linux that you are using? Do they contain all of the needed dependencies? Do they conflict with what's already on your box? There is no support in your distros repo for your hardware? Debian has huge repositories. Is it brand new hardware? That's what package manager are for. So that you don't break things.

Start with the hardware.

Code:

lspci -k
lsusb
dmesg -w

Then when you know what hardware that you have, see if there is already support in your repo for it.

How do you know that bad/missing firmware is the reason? What network manager does debian use, or which one are you using? apt? Do you have the network managers configuration file configured? Is there something that tells you that the firmware is missing?

Also what it the ouput of

Code:

ip a
uname -a

When installing debian i did get a message stating this file did not install & it came from the Wifi cd - usb modem so it is genuine. This is the first time i have has this problem as all other times i installed a OS including live OS it worked fine without installing anything. The file is in a unzipped folder **see image** so i just need to install all the files in the folder but don`t want to install each one by one, just the complete files. The full tz file has several files for windows - mac - linux etc. and no need for.Just to make it clear i`ll upload 2 images, 1 with folder contents that need to be installed and the other a image of the folder the specific file is in.

colorpurple21859 · 05-24-2020, 09:45 PM

What version of debian did you install?
Have you tried to installing firmware-linux-nonfree and firmware-ralink with apt.
you will need to edit your /etc/apt/sources.list and add non-free

TokTok · 05-25-2020, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorpurple21859

What version of debian did you install?
Have you tried to installing firmware-linux-nonfree and firmware-ralink with apt.
you will need to edit your /etc/apt/sources.list and add non-free

Debian is 10.2 / So explain the method you described it might be best...Remember i`m still a newbie at linux so expect some stupid questions or lack of knowlege.

colorpurple21859 · 05-25-2020, 06:20 PM

open a terminal

Code:

su -

will ask for your root password and give you root rights the teminal will have a # instead of a $

Code:

nano /etc/apt/sources.list

will open the file in a text editor
add

Code:

contrib non-free

to the end of each line that ends in main
ctrl-x to close and follow prompts to save

Code:

apt update
apt install firmware-linux firmware-ralink

exit out of terminal and reboot.