Can drivers be installed with LiveCDs & LiveUSBs?

[neu5eeCh]

Since I'm getting no satisfaction with my last query, thought I'd ask the question with a little more clarity...

With two of my last three laptops, I've been unable to install drivers (wireless) while in live-mode. Once Ubuntu was properly installed (on the HDD), however, the drivers installed flawlessly.

So... is the inability to install drivers in live mode standard behavior?

[spiderbatdad]

If you are talking about a live cd, then the answer is yes. The live cd is read only. It is possible to create other bootable devices and install additional software to the operating system. If you want to run strictly a live environment, you might consider knoppix instead.

Also this is still relevant: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD/Persistence Though I wouldn't reccomend trying karmic's usb creator.

[neu5eeCh]

Thanks Spider. That hasn't been my experience with either LiveCD or LiveUSB, but I'll take your word for it.

I'm not trying to run in a "strictly live environment". I've been trying to persuade my wife to kill windows on her netbook, but it's hard to demonstrate the superiority of Ubuntu (and Linux in general) when I can't get her wireless to work. That's why I'm asking if this only an issue in "Live Mode".

Edit: Just noticed that I misread Spider's comment. He was saying that I can't install drivers in live mode, which confirms my experience.

[spiderbatdad]

please tell us what netbook and what version of Ubuntu.

I could be wrong. I haven't spent much time running a live cd. Certainly you can edit files and the like, but I don't understand where you would be installing any programs unless you had storage or a partition prepared to which you could write.

[neu5eeCh]

HP Mini 1030NR.

As mentioned in my last post, another user has apparently created a dual boot system on this tiny computer (all on a 16G solid state drive!), so I have no doubt that Ubuntu will work on her Netbook once I persuade her to switch.

Anyway, I tried with two different versions of Ubuntu 9.10 - both standard and Netbook remix.

I was about to try with Puppy, just to see....

[spiderbatdad]

ok sorry, I looked at your previous thread. How about trying to install the broadcom driver from the live cd. Check your software sources to be sure cd rom is checked then start synaptic package manager. Look for bcmwl-kernel-source, or something...just type bcm into the search window. Sorry I haven't had much experience with this driver...luckily!

[neu5eeCh]

Thanks again, Spider.

The problem isn't with finding or downloading the driver (which Ubuntu seems able to do) the problem is that "Live Mode" seems unable to "activate" it, or (to use its own terminology) put the wireless hardware in use.

I'm beginning to think that this is a Live Mode limitation.

It would seem to me that the Ubuntu "powers that be" ought to either remedy this or give users like myself some indication that this is a "Live Mode" limitation. I'm OK with the latter solution - at least newcomers won't think there's something wrong with Linux itself...