I've been trying to get Ubuntu running on my computer, but I'm stuck with 16.04 because my Wi-Fi adapters aren't compatible with this version. I can't connect to the internet to download drivers or install apps because I don't have access to Ethernet either. I'm wondering if there's any way to install programs or drivers offline, or if I should just look into upgrading to a newer version of Ubuntu or another Linux distro. I'm hoping to create a media center that can handle web browsing and videos using software like VLC or Kodi, and I might want to add some emulators for classic games. Any suggestions for getting around this issue?
5 Answers
The main issue here isn't just your offline status—it's that Ubuntu 16.04 is outdated. If you're using such an old version, you'll run into major compatibility issues with newer software. Consider swapping to a newer version or distro that suits your needs better.
Back in the day, we used to download software on a connected machine, save it to a USB drive, and then install it offline. You can still do this! Just download the necessary packages on another device and bring them to your Ubuntu machine. Check out Ask Ubuntu for guides on installing software offline.
Most new installations of Ubuntu should automatically detect your network adapters, either for LAN or WLAN. It’s unusual for it not to work.
I have two USB Wi-Fi adapters, one from Realtek and one from Asus, but neither worked with my current kernel version.
You could try USB tethering with your phone for a temporary internet solution. Just connect it with a USB cable.
I tried that, but it disconnected after a few minutes and wouldn't reconnect.
Jump straight to Ubuntu 20.04 if your hardware supports it. If you had issues installing before, double-check compatibility or try using a different USB installer.
I initially tried but my PC didn't recognize the installer. I guess it’s an older hardware issue.
Thanks for the tip! I have several 2GB drives from my mom's teaching days that I can use for this.