Installing Broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g drivers
 

Hi-

I am new to Linux, and I installed Fedora LXDE on my Dell Inspiron Mini 10. Most things seem to be working fine, however my wireless card, Broadcom BCM4312 is not recognized. I have been reading, and using Google, but I either don't know where to look or I come across an answer with technical terms I am not familiar with.

I have, from another computer, downloaded the driver package from Broadcom, and placed it on the desktop of the netbook. I have unpacked it, but how to I install it? I am currently stumbling around in the LX Terminal, but I really don't know the commands.

Thanks.

You need to install b43 firmware http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43/

Yes, I was trying to do that via the instructions here: http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=239922
However, I get errors because the netbook is not currently connected to the internet in any way. Is there a way to install the firmware without having an internet connection?

Put the Broadcom code and the b43-fwcutter rpm on a thumb drive, mount it and copy it to your netbook. Install the rpm, then start at the step after wget in the instructions.

You need to somehow get b43-fwcutter installed on your system.

When you say Broadcom code, to what are you referring? I do have a package which I downloaded from Broadcom. Is this what you mean?

Hi...

I think most, if not all, netbooks have an ethernet port. If you have a modem or router to connect, how about getting an ethernet cable and connect to the internet this way to set up your wireless adapter? :)

Regards...

Yes. I did try that yesterday, but with no luck. It does not recognize the connection. I am ok with doing it the hard way, but I think I need a bit more direction. On another computer, I downloaded the Broadcom Linux 32 bit driver package which is described as type: binaries. I also downloaded the 43b fwcutter, and used the YUM Extender to "install" it. I have this Broadcom package on the desktop, but I don't know what to do with it. Like I said in the OP, I am very new to this, and I don't know very many commands. I do feel as though I am close to getting this worked out, but I am just not sure how to finish.

Thanks to anyone in advance....

Use the terminal

Hi...

Now you can start with the instructions you mentioned here. You can skip the entry about installing fwcutter. Look at the tree graph to decide which driver you need and then go on to post two. Make sure you are using the correct driver before you install! ;)

Regards...

Thanks. I am trying it now, and I will give a report ASAP.

Specifically, from the Broadcom Support site, I downloaded the Linux STA 32-bit driver which contains packages for the BCM4312 in my Dell. The version is 6.30.22.248, and downloads as package 'hybrid-v35-nodebug-pcoem-6_30_223_248.tar.gz'

It is currently sitting on the desktop of the netbook, as is. Also, checking the tree graph I need firmware v 4.

In the terminal, as a root user, I typed: tar xjf hybrid-v35-nodebug-pcoem-6_30_233_248.tar.gz and I get an error, Cannot Open: No such file or directory

I also have a copy of the extracted package in my documents folder which is on the desktop.

How would I go about pointing the correct package? Or, am I missing something else?

You need to enter into the directory where your downloaded file is http://afrodita.rcub.bg.ac.rs/~ivica...rt1/cd_ls.html

Thanks. That is a very helpful link. I am trying to work through it, and will post the results.

I am getting closer. I changed directories and can see the packages on my desktop using the ls command. However, when I use the command tar xjf followed by the package name, which in this case is hybrid-v35-nodebug-pcoem-6_30_223_248.tar.gz, I get the an error message:

bzip2: (stdin) is not a bzip2 file.

Is there some other command which I need to use to install this driver or should I be looking in some other folder from the extracted package?