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Often the required firmware is in the non-free section of Debian, which isn't enabled by default for idealism/purity reasons. It is very simple to enable instal

Often the required firmware is in the non-free section of Debian, which isn't enabled by default for idealism/purity reasons. It is very simple to enable installation of packages from the non-free section, and then usually everything just works. Basically, Ubuntu have chosen a different default - it probably doesn't actually have any firmware that Debian doesn't. Neither approach is wrong.

smcl 9y ago
Or if you are installing from a CD or USB image you can instead grab one of the "non-free" images which should have the necessary firmware and repositories setup and ready to use after initial install. I don't think it's very easy to find these directly from the website but in case anyone's interested here's the location: https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/ https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-in...
jlgaddis 9y ago
> It is very simple to enable installation of packages from the non-free section, and then usually everything just works. Not without a network connection, it doesn't. There are other ways (flash drive, etc.) to get the firmware onto the machine, of course, but I can understand bad_user's frustration.
- mnw21cam 9y ago
  I see your pain and raise you a £1.75 USB/Ethernet adapter with free delivery [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Network-Adapter-Converter-Connection/dp/B003Q85EEA https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Network-Adapter-Converter-...]. But yes, you do raise a valid point.
- ce4 9y ago
  A handy workaround is to use your mobile + usb tethering. Plug it in, then enable USB-tethering while logged into a wifi (data will go to the wifi not towards your mobile data plan then). The usb-ethernet driver works out of the box for almost all distros.
- kakwa_ 9y ago
  Floppy disk ^^. I had to do it for an old Compaq Proliant DL 360 G1 (with no USB ports) back in 2012. It was for an old Intel NIC (e100 driver).
  - jlgaddis 9y ago
    If his laptop doesn't have a wired NIC, I'm guessing it probably doesn't have a floppy drive either. :-)

smcl 9y ago

Or if you are installing from a CD or USB image you can instead grab one of the "non-free" images which should have the necessary firmware and repositories setup and ready to use after initial install. I don't think it's very easy to find these directly from the website but in case anyone's interested here's the location: https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/ https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-in...

jlgaddis 9y ago

> It is very simple to enable installation of packages from the non-free section, and then usually everything just works. Not without a network connection, it doesn't. There are other ways (flash drive, etc.) to get the firmware onto the machine, of course, but I can understand bad_user's frustration.

mnw21cam 9y ago
I see your pain and raise you a £1.75 USB/Ethernet adapter with free delivery [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Network-Adapter-Converter-Connection/dp/B003Q85EEA https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethernet-Network-Adapter-Converter-...]. But yes, you do raise a valid point.
ce4 9y ago
A handy workaround is to use your mobile + usb tethering. Plug it in, then enable USB-tethering while logged into a wifi (data will go to the wifi not towards your mobile data plan then). The usb-ethernet driver works out of the box for almost all distros.
kakwa_ 9y ago
Floppy disk ^^. I had to do it for an old Compaq Proliant DL 360 G1 (with no USB ports) back in 2012. It was for an old Intel NIC (e100 driver).
- jlgaddis 9y ago
  If his laptop doesn't have a wired NIC, I'm guessing it probably doesn't have a floppy drive either. :-)