Broadcom BCM4306

jpoveda · 2011-02-02 19:31:20

Hello there, this is my first post. I was wondering how can I get the driver for my wireless Broadcom BCM4306 card. I'm trying to install Arch on an old laptop that I have, but I only can connect to the Internet using wireless. Is there a way to make this old wireless card work being offline?

Thank you.

Inxsible · 2011-02-02 19:37:23

have you searched the forums? there are multiple threads for this chip. try searching for broadcom-wl and you will see plenty of threads laying out what to do. Then follow the Beginner's guide to setup the wireless during install and for the entire install as well.

Gusar · 2011-02-02 20:19:40

If it's Rev 3, the b43 driver should work. I have a Rev 2, and it works with b43legacy. There should be no need to use the proprietary broadcom-wl, this is an old chip and has been reverse-engineered plenty. The needed firmware is in AUR, the packages b43-firmware or b43legacy-firmware.

jpoveda · 2011-02-02 23:37:16

Can I install that being offline? Or do I need an Internet connection to install the firmware?

Gusar · 2011-02-03 00:48:41

As with everything you want to install, there's stuff that needs to be downloaded. But you can simply look at what the PKGBUILD does and use another machine to get the firmware files.

Though I can't help but be curious, how is wireless your only means of internet? Doesn't every wireless router also have a built-in 4-port ethernet switch?

jpoveda · 2011-02-03 02:18:24

Well, I do not have a wireless router in my house. I'm using my college wireless signal to connect to the Internet. I guess that if I can't get the wireless card firmware, then I'm going to have to connect in some other way.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-02-02 19:31:20

Broadcom BCM4306

#2 2011-02-02 19:37:23

Re: Broadcom BCM4306

#3 2011-02-02 20:19:40

Re: Broadcom BCM4306

#4 2011-02-02 23:37:16

Re: Broadcom BCM4306

#5 2011-02-03 00:48:41

Re: Broadcom BCM4306

#6 2011-02-03 02:18:24

Re: Broadcom BCM4306

Board footer