<SOLVED> how do i install wlan drivers for old hardware without internet?

[ptls0]

Hi everyone.

i just registered because i am going crazy with this. for ages i have tried to install some distro of linux on this dell latitude e6400.
the problem is the ethernet adapter is broken, it can only communicate via wlan. i have been looking for some file to download on my other computer to be transported to the laptop using a usb stick. i found a lot of files but none of which i can actually use. i just dont know how!

i installed linux mint cinnamon because i read it was good for old hardware but it doesnt seem to have bcm4322 drivers in there. ive downloaded something from the broadcom hp but i cant figure out how to use that. its called "hybrid-v35-nodebug-pcoem-6_30_223_271.tar.gz"
i can unpack or mount that archive but then i just see a bunch of files and folders. so what now?

im sorry but you have to guide me through the whole thing. i dont even know how to get system information. id be very grateful for any help

[kukamuumuka]

i installed linux mint cinnamon because i read it was good for old hardware

You have misread.

Basically tell the result for the next commands:

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rfkill list all

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inxi -Nn

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ifconfig

[richyrich]

If you open and login to Synaptic Package Manager, use the quck-search box with broadcom, you will see the drivers, and some stating they include drivers for your 4322. With the correct one checked or 'marked', you can then go to the Menu > File > Generate Package Download Script. The file generated is what you can copy and use on your other machine to download the correct file from the servers.

With that said . . WAIT ! . . until a more knowledgeable member comes along to help you determine the correct file to download . . me, I'm not certain, and I don't want to cause more headaches for you . . be patient, they will be able to help.

[sarge816]

A couple of ideas: do you have a cell phone you can usb tether to your laptop? Use the cell internet to install the drivers. Or, get ahold of a usb wifi adapter temporarily that works with linux to install the drivers for the internal BCM43 wifi. If you can find a way to get internet temporarily, you could use this guide to install wifi drivers:

https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/796

It's worked for every BCM43 unit I've ever needed drivers for. Good luck.

[ptls0]

@administrollaattori

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rfkill list all
0: dell-wifi: Wireless LAN
	Soft blocked: no
	Hard blocked: no

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inxi -Nn
Network: 	Card-1: Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e
		IF: enp0s25 state: down mac: 5c:26:0a20:c9:b1
		Card-2: Broadcom Limited BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller
		driver: b43-pci-bridge
		IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A

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ifconfig
enp0s25: flags=4099<UP ,BROADCAST ,MULTICAST> mtu 1500
	ether 5c:26:0a20:c9:b1 txqueuelen 1000 (Ethernet)
	RX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
	RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
	TX packets 0 bytes 0 (0.0 B)
	TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0
	device interrupt 22 memory oxf6fe0000-f7000000
	
lo: flags=73<UP ,LOOPBACK ,RUNNING> mtu 65536
	inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 255.0.0.0
	inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 scopeid 0x10<host>
	loop txqueuelen 1000 (Local Loopback)
	RX packets 49870 bytes 2998188 (2.9 MB)
	RX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 frame 0
	TX packets 49870 bytes 2998188 (2.9 MB)
	TX errors 0 dropped 0 overruns 0 carrier 0 collisions 0

here you go. typed this all by hand. i hope there arent any typos x)

[kukamuumuka]

here you go. typed this all by hand. i hope there arent any typos x)

Download the next drivers and install them using Gdebi.
http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/m ... _amd64.deb
http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/m ... -3_all.deb

[ptls0]

thanks everyone! i really appreciate the input

@administrollaattori

well ... i did some variation of what you said. your link gave me a 64 bit version which is useless to me. so i used the filenames of your links to mark entries in the package manager and make that script richyrich mentioned. so using that script i downloaded the correct (i386) version of the file you linked and some other stuff. installed all of that ... and it still doesnt work
i did all the commands again and they still say exactly the same stuff. except for the packets and bytes counts

stuff i installed:
b43-fwcutter_019-3_i386.deb
firmware-b43-installer_019-3_all.deb
libc6-dev_2.27-3ubuntu1_i386.deb
libc-dev-bin_2.27-3ubuntu1_i386.deb

[richyrich]

I know I am not experienced with Broadcom, but when I looked at the list in Synaptic, I noticed these, and thought that these descriptions looked right.

• bcmwl-kernel-source
  broadcom-sta-common
  broadcom-sta-source
  broadcom-sta-dkms

Edit: ptls0, follow JeremyB's advice below . . he's good !

[JeremyB]

See my post at viewtopic.php?t=261130#p1411223

[ptls0]

I know I am not experienced with Broadcom, but when I looked at the list in Synaptic, I noticed these, and thought that these descriptions looked right.

• bcmwl-kernel-source
  broadcom-sta-common
  broadcom-sta-source
  broadcom-sta-dkms

thanks mr rich! many thanks to all of you. i finally got it. i made another script with the stuff above and that worked. YES! =D

[richyrich]

My compliments to your stick-to-it-iveness ! Good for you !