Salix Forums

Hi guys... I'm new in Salix (used to be ubuntu user). I actually don't have a problem I just want to know how to manually install b43 driver for my wirelles after the fresh install of Salix OS. I'm currently running it on VirtualBox. If anyone can tell where to download b43 for 64bit Salix and how to install it from desktop or downloads etc, i would be gratefull. The thing is i don't have access to LAN cable, just wirelles, so i can't use gslapt... Thank you in advance!

Maybe this: http://www.salixos.org/forum/viewtopic. ... &hilit=b43

laprjns wrote:Maybe this: www dot salixos dot org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1313&hilit=b43

"Prerequisites:
1. All the commands used in this guide required root (superuser) access from a terminal.
2. You must have a working internet connection but you don't have to use the target machine for this."

This method also requires internet connection, which I don't have until I install b43... I "just" want to know from what web page I can download 64-bit b43. Then I would copy that installer package on USB stick, and after the fresh Salix installation I would copy it on the desktop! Further more, I would like to know which steps to apply after that to install the package from the desktop, or any other folder.

One way or another you're going to need an internet connection for this. If you can't use your computer then you could use the LiveCD to create the b43-firmware package on another computer then transport it (maybe on a USB stick) to your computer.

Install the b43-fwcutter package from the repository: Follow the instructions in the READ.Slackware which can be found in the docs: Hope this helps.

nepoznati wrote:

You really should understand what your asking before you roll your eyes at someone who is trying to help. Your problem is not with a driver, they are already provide as part of the install. What you need is the Broadcom firmware for your wireless chipset. The firmware is proprietary and cannot not be distributed so you will find no packages that will just install it for you. See http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43 The link in my post provides instructions how to extract the firmware from the Broadcom proprietary drivers. Everything you will need is explained in the instructions, but if you have any questions along the way, just post and maybe someone will help.

nepoznati wrote: "Prerequisites:
1. All the commands used in this guide required root (user) access from a terminal.
2. You must have a working internet connection but you don't have to use the target machine for this."

All of it can be done on your Virtualbox installation, then just transfer the resulting package to your other machine and install.

pwatk wrote:One way or another you're going to need an internet connection for this. If you can't use your computer then you could use the LiveCD to create the b43-firmware package on another computer then transport it (maybe on a USB stick) to your computer.

Install the b43-fwcutter package from the repository:

Code: Select all

# slapt-get -u
# slapt-get -i b43-fwcutter

Follow the instructions in the READ.Slackware which can be found in the docs:

Code: Select all

b43/b43legacy firmware
======================

"The Broadcom wireless chip needs software, called "firmware", that runs on the wireless chip itself
during operation. This firmware is copyrighted by Broadcom and must be extracted from Broadcom's
proprietary drivers. To get such firmware on your system, you must download the driver from a legal
distribution point. Then you must extract the firmware from that Broadcom driver by using b43-fwcutter
and install it in the special directory for firmware - usually /lib/firmware. Please note that the 
firmware from the binary drivers is copyrighted by Broadcom Corporation and must not be redistributed."

This is a short guide on how to create a b43(legacy)-firmware package for your system.

First you will need to find out which firmware version to extract. You can use the 'lspci' command to
display the Chip-ID of the wireless card which can be compared against the "Known PCI devices" list at
wireless kernel org/en/users/Drivers/b43.

  lspci -vnn | grep 14e4
  0001:01:01.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g 
  Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4318] (rev 02)

The Chip-ID from the example above is [14e4:4318], using this information I know this card requires the
b43 kernel module using version 4.150.10.5 of the firmware.

Distributed with the b43-fwcutter package are a number of ready-made build scipts you can use to create
a b43 or b43legacy firmware package. These scripts can be found in the '/usr/share/b43-fwcutter/' directory.

All you need to do to create a package is to copy the relevant build script to an empty directory then
execute 'slkbuild -X' as root (super user) from that directory. The source archive will be fetched from the
the internet (you will need an active internet connection) and the package created.

  mkdir b43
  cd b43
  cat /usr/share/b43-fwcutter/b43-firmware-4.150.10.5.SLKBUILD > SLKBUILD
  slkbuild -X

Once the package has been created you can install it with the package management tools.

  spkg -i b43-firmware-4.150.10.5-fw-1pw.txz

You may then load the b43 (or b43legacy) kernel module with the 'modprobe' command. If the module doesn't
load automatically on startup then add the following command to '/etc/rc.d/rc.local':

  modprobe b43
  
If you have installed Broadcom's Hybrid Linux Driver then you will need to unload the 'wl' module first:

  modprobe -r wl

To perminently blacklist the 'wl' module use the following command, you can easily delete 'blacklist-wl.conf' to
reinstate it at a later date:

  echo "blacklist wl" > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-wl.conf

Hope this helps.

Thank you pwatk! I'll try with the Live CD! So I need to come to this part:
" mkdir b43
cd b43
cat /usr/share/b43-fwcutter/b43-firmware-4.150.10.5.SLKBUILD > SLKBUILD
slkbuild -X"
on live cd

and then copy the *.txz file on my fresh install of Salix and then:
spkg...
Wright?

laprjns wrote:

nepoznati wrote:

You really should understand what your asking before you roll your eyes at someone who is trying to help. Your problem is not with a driver, they are already provide as part of the install. What you need is the Broadcom firmware for your wireless chipset. The firmware is proprietary and cannot not be distributed so you will find no packages that will just install it for you. See http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43 The link in my post provides instructions how to extract the firmware from the Broadcom proprietary drivers. Everything you will need is explained in the instructions, but if you have any questions along the way, just post and maybe someone will help.

nepoznati wrote: "Prerequisites:
1. All the commands used in this guide required root (user) access from a terminal.
2. You must have a working internet connection but you don't have to use the target machine for this."

All of it can be done on your Virtualbox installation, then just transfer the resulting package to your other machine and install.

Sorry about rolling my eyes, but it wasn't meant to you They don't have shoulder dropping guy!
I thought I could just find a .txz file (like .deb in ubuntu) and install it, so I have been searching the web for two days and I got tired of everything. Again, sorry!
I didn't know I can do that on my VB installation! Thank you.

nepoznati wrote: Thank you pwatk! I'll try with the Live CD! So I need to come to this part:
" mkdir b43
cd b43
cat /usr/share/b43-fwcutter/b43-firmware-4.150.10.5.SLKBUILD > SLKBUILD
slkbuild -X"
on live cd

and then copy the *.txz file on my fresh install of Salix and then:
spkg...
Wright?

Correct. And since this package is independent of architecture you can do it on the VMnstall even if it's a 32 bit install. No need to download the LiveCD if you haven't already.

Sorry about rolling my eyes, but it wasn't meant to you They don't have shoulder dropping guy!
I thought I could just find a .txz file (like .deb in ubuntu) and install it, so I have been searching the web for two days and I got tired of everything. Again, sorry!
I didn't know I can do that on my VB installation! Thank you.

No problem

Thank you guys, you've been very helpful! Time to close the topic!