how to download ndiswrapper-dkms [SOLVED]

[qbsmd]

I'm trying to get Linux Mint to work from a live DVD before deciding whether to install it. It seems to mostly work, except for the wireless card. I found a website (http://boredwookie.net/index.php/blog/b ... x-mint-13/) describing how to fix my exact problem, unfortunately I don't have access to a wired connection, so I can't use the package manager to install ndiswrapper-dkms. Under Windows, I went online and found the website (http://community.linuxmint.com/software ... apper-dkms) for that package, but it doesn't have a download link.

So I need either an http or ftp link to the ndiswrapper-dkms package or a protocol handler for apt for Windows that will let me download the package. Can anyone give me information on either of those options?

[remoulder]

Are you testing mint13? The BCM4306/2 chipset 'should' work with the b43legacy driver rather than installing a Windows driver, see http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43#supported. You would still need internet access to install this however see http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=77272&p=449786&hilit=bcm+offline+broadcom#p449391. Note you cannot permanently install drivers in a live disc.

[qbsmd]

Yes, it's Linux Mint 13 (using MATE). It reports the wireless card as a BCM4312, which according to the site you linked to, should work with b43 v 2.6.33 and above. Of course, it doesn't actually work. All of the instructions for making it work look like they involve re-flashing the wireless card firmware, and I really don't want to do that. Have I misunderstood what "b43-fwcutter" does?

Another site suggested using a Broadcom driver. I downloaded bcmwl-kernel-source_5.60.48.36+bdcom-0ubuntu3_amd64.deb (from a link off of a link from your link: http://packages.ubuntu.com/lucid/bcmwl-kernel-source) and tried to install it and got an error that pointed to a log file with the error "autoconf.h: No such file or directory". I haven't tried to figure out what causes that yet.

And the original file I was looking for is available at (http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/u ... iswrapper/). It hadn't occurred to me to search Ubuntu's site for it. It prevents the error message I was getting from ndiswrapper before, but doesn't actually make the wireless card work; the wireless settings page is just grayed out.

[remoulder]

reports the wireless card as a BCM4312

The link you provided was for a BCM4306 so would apply in your anycase and you seem to be overcomplicating things by looking for other drivers. As I said some things you cannot do on a live disc as it requires installation at boot time. The 4312 should work without issue with the b43 driver unless it is the LP-PHY version, you will need to provide the output of lspci -vnn| grep 14e4.

[qbsmd]

lspci -vnn| grep 14e4

returns

04:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY [14e4:4315] (rev 01)
08:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM5784M Gigabit Ethernet PCIe [14e4:1698] (rev 10)

So that explains why b43 is failing.

When Linux starts, I noticed it brings up a pop-up that says something about restricted drivers for some fraction of a second. I found a GUI to enable the driver and it tried to download http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/r ... _amd64.deb so I'll try that driver next.

[qbsmd]

Success!

Procedure:
1. Boot the live DVD. Open "menu > all > additional drivers". Assuming your network card shows up, select activate.
2. When it throws an error, open the log file it points to (/var/log/jockey.log in my case). FInd the url of the driver it attempted to download (in my case http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/r ... _amd64.deb).
3. Boot your normal operating system, download the driver.
4. Boot the live DVD, Navigate to the directory where the driver was saved, and open a terminal.
5. enter "sudo dpkg -i bcmwl-kernel-source_5.100.82.38+bdcom-0ubuntu6.1_amd64.deb" (replacing the driver name with the driver you downloaded).
6. Open "menu > all > additional drivers", select activate. When it is finished it will tell you to restart. Disregard this.
7. Go back to the terminal and enter "sudo modprobe -r wl" then enter "sudo modprobe wl". Wait a few seconds.
8. Click on the taskbar networking icon and hopefully select a wireless network to connect to.