Wireless Firmware

Benihana · 12 Dec 2008 at 14:12

I'm new to linux and have been experimenting with a few "Live" distros (fedora, knoppix, mint), when using any of these on my laptop it says that I need to download a broadcom firmware to enable my wireless to work, Im just curious as to whether doing this will mean it wont work in windows anymore?

This is what its telling me to get:
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43

I've read through it all but it doesnt seem to mention windows at all.

I'm after a dual boot rather than just one or the other. Any help is gratefully recieved!

Whiskas · 12 Dec 2008 at 14:21

The firmware is just a file that needs downloaded and copied to an appropriate directory on your Linux distro. It will have no effect on your Windows setup

Benihana · 12 Dec 2008 at 15:25

Okay, thanks just sounds more like a permenant alteration! Why not call it a driver rather than firmware? Anyway, thanks for the help.

brummie · 12 Dec 2008 at 15:58

Benihana said:
Why not call it a driver rather than firmware?[/QUOTE

Because it is firmware and not a driver

Benihana · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:37

Firmware in my mind is more of a permenant alteration, a change at a hardware level more than a software fix. Like a BIOS update, something that is flashed rather than installed or emulated, but hey ho.