Package: hw-detect
Version: 1.92
Severity: normal
check-missing-firmware.sh asks administrators whether they want to install
non-free firmware which would expand the capabilities of their computer:
ask_load_firmware () {
if [ "$first_try" ]; then
first_try=""
return 0
fi
if [ "$NONINTERACTIVE" ]; then
if [ ! "$first_ask" ]; then
return 1
else
first_ask=""
return 0
fi
fi
db_subst hw-detect/load_firmware FILES "$files"
if ! db_input high hw-detect/load_firmware; then
if [ ! "$first_ask" ]; then
exit 1;
else
first_ask=""
fi
fi
if ! db_go; then
exit 10 # back up
fi
db_get hw-detect/load_firmware
if [ "$RET" = true ]; then
return 0
else
echo "$files" | tr ' ' '\n' >> $DENIED
return 1
fi
}
Typically, a device won't operate without the non-free firmware designed for
it. The prompt therefore reads:
Template: hw-detect/load_firmware
Type: boolean
Default: true
# :sl2:
_Description: Load missing firmware from removable media?
Some of your hardware needs non-free firmware files to operate. The
firmware can be loaded from removable media, such as a USB stick or
floppy.
.
The missing firmware files are: ${FILES}
.
If you have such media available now, insert it, and continue.
But it is not always the case that a device *needs* a firmware designed for it
to operate. Some devices are simply enhanced by firmware. This is particularly
true for my Ethernet card, a Realtek 8111F. While firmware-realtek does provide
firmware for it, that firmware merely patches a bug in the default firmware.
This bug apparently only happens in specific contexts. I have been using a PC
with that card without the firmware for more than 2 weeks without any apparent
network issue. Therefore, the prompt is misleading and may cause the user to
install unneeded software or change hardware without a strong reason.
Ideally, d-i would explain the advantages of each firmware. The simplest
solution would be to say the firmware enables /or/ helps a device. A middle
solution could be to tag firmware as necessary or optional.
The opposite case (d-i not recommending firmware when it should) also exists
(#649851). But fixing these cases will expose this bug even more. Radeon cards
are good examples of devices which are improved by firmware without being
unusable without.
--- System information. ---
Architecture: i386
Kernel: Linux 3.8-trunk-amd64
Debian Release: 7.0
990 testing security.debian.org
990 testing debian.mirror.iweb.ca
500 unstable debian.mirror.iweb.ca
1 experimental debian.mirror.iweb.ca
--- Package information. ---
Package's Depends field is empty.
Package's Recommends field is empty.
Package's Suggests field is empty.
