6.7.1 DVD Weakest Link

[utu]

@ luther

Looks like ssb was a success, but not b43.

My guess is that Synaptic's fwcutter needs some 'proprietary' driver
information from which to create b43. Something available only from
Broadcom.

Hang in there, I'll google around a bit and get back to you.

[utu]

@ Luther

You have run into Catch22.
fwcutter works best if you have internet access already. You don't
This reference supposedly tells us how to proceed without internet access.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...ernet%20access

It likely will entail a download of a file from Broadcom, which you can
do with Mint.
Then there will be some magic to work with fwcutter to liberate the
proprietary stuff.

We both need some time to read and try to understand it.
Start reading at 'Installing b43 drivers...no internet access'.

[luther]

@ Luther

You have run into Catch22.
fwcutter works best if you have internet access already. You don't

Dear utu:

This is the MAIN reason to get WIFI! There are cables running down a flight of
stairs to the routers ethernet port. So knoppix 6.7.1 DVD and CD do have
internet access!

Keep the pile to a minimun, please.
luther

[luther]

@ luther

Looks like ssb was a success, but not b43.

My guess is that Synaptic's fwcutter needs some 'proprietary' driver
information from which to create b43. Something available only from
Broadcom.

Hang in there, I'll google around a bit and get back to you.

Dear utu:

Werner prefers using this Package Manager:

Within CLI-version of aptitude use "l" (little L) to list for example "b43-"
use "v" to get versions
use "+" to select for installation
use "_" to purge installed Packages
use "g" to install
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why not use CLI-version of aptitude?
I'm not familiar with its SYNTAX and
can't find any CLI-version docs?
Please help!
luther
PS. Keep it simple!

[Werner P. Schulz]

Why not use CLI-version of aptitude?
I'm not familiar with its SYNTAX and
can't find any CLI-version docs?
Please help!

Install "aptitude-doc-en"; it is the CLI-version doc.
Type

file:///usr/share/doc/aptitude/html/en/index.html

within the address line of your Internet Browser to read the doc.

[utu]

@ luther & Werner

I think there may be a problem in how Debian-Knoppix handles Broadcom wifi.
There is a reference which seems authoritative by developers of the b43 driver
series which I rely on here as 'ground truth'. Find this at:
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Dr...ported_devices

This reference indicates that most Broadcom wifis need either a wl driver or b43 driver,
and many may use either. None will work with both installed simultaneously. As defined
by PCI-IDs, the 4315 which I have should work with either; the 4318 which luther has
is indicated to work only with b43.

Knoppix 6.7.1 automatically sets up wl for my 4315. I think luther has a similar experience
with Mint setting his 4318 up with b43 and ssb.

I note that when I try to use Synaptic to install b43 via fwcutter, it reports
'not supported' and fails to bring in the required Broadcom firmware. I should be able to
choose from either b43 or wl according to the reference. Apparently, part of the Debian-
Knoppix process of installing wl precludes subsequently bringing in b43 material.

If luther initially tried to install the STA driver series which contains wl, then this
may explain why he cannot now bring in b43 as an alternative. There may be some residual
effect from an initial attempt at an STA/wl installation.

Part of what appears with a wl driver installation are some blacklists in /etc/modprobe.d/;
specifically, boadcom-sta-common.conf and one line of blacklist-knoppix.conf. These files
may be the culprit in attempting to do a b43 installation after a wl installation.
These files (at least) probably need to be disabled for the b43 installation to succeed.

An alternative, with Synaptic, might be to do a complete removal of the STA/wl driver before
attempting a subsequent b43 install. Werner can best describe the CLI equivalent of this.

[luther]

@ luther & Werner

I think there may be a problem in how Debian-Knoppix handles Broadcom wifi.
There is a reference which seems authoritative by developers of the b43 driver
series which I rely on here as 'ground truth'. Find this at:
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Dr...ported_devices

This reference indicates that most Broadcom wifis need either a wl driver or b43 driver,
and many may use either. None will work with both installed simultaneously. As defined
by PCI-IDs, the 4315 which I have should work with either; the 4318 which luther has
is indicated to work only with b43.

Knoppix 6.7.1 automatically sets up wl for my 4315. I think luther has a similar experience
with Mint setting his 4318 up with b43 and ssb.

I note that when I try to use Synaptic to install b43 via fwcutter, it reports
'not supported' and fails to bring in the required Broadcom firmware. I should be able to
choose from either b43 or wl according to the reference. Apparently, part of the Debian-
Knoppix process of installing wl precludes subsequently bringing in b43 material.

If luther initially tried to install the STA driver series which contains wl, then this
may explain why he cannot now bring in b43 as an alternative. There may be some residual
effect from an initial attempt at an STA/wl installation.

Part of what appears with a wl driver installation are some blacklists in /etc/modprobe.d/;
specifically, boadcom-sta-common.conf and one line of blacklist-knoppix.conf. These files
may be the culprit in attempting to do a b43 installation after a wl installation.
These files (at least) probably need to be disabled for the b43 installation to succeed.

An alternative, with Synaptic, might be to do a complete removal of the STA/wl driver before
attempting a subsequent b43 install. Werner can best describe the CLI equivalent of this.

Dear Knoppix Hackers:
I concur these findings by utu have merit. If I do a Synaptic "broadcom" search in Mint, nothing related
to it are installed, except "b43". Applying this same indexing to Knoppix, indicates numerous broadcom
modules installed, suspecting buss contention w/b43.
luther