Dell studio 15 with Intel Wireless not working :(

muel98 · April 23, 2010, 5:18am

Just loaded up OpenSuSe 11.2 from the DVD.

Wireless seems ok from the icon in the bottom corner, except that no APs can be seen.

Here is some output from the sticky-recommended commands:

dmesg | grep iwlagn

7.594414] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds                                                                              
7.594421] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation                 
7.597840] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A -&gt; GSI 17 (level, low) -&gt; IRQ 17  
7.597863] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: setting latency timer to 64                 
7.598046] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74                                                              
7.665264] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels                                                                          
7.665692] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: irq 37 for MSI/MSI-X

42.187262] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
42.243903] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
42.243918] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
42.254870] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
42.254886] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
42.264896] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
42.264915] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
71.816709] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
71.827149] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.827165] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
71.837995] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.838011] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
71.848606] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.848621] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
71.852441] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
71.862135] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.862153] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
71.872672] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.872690] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
71.883249] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
71.883267] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
189.703925] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
189.714467] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.714485] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
189.723090] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.723109] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
189.732231] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.732248] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
189.734076] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
189.743114] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.743132] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
189.753861] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.753880] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
189.764644] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
189.764662] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2

04:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Device 422c (rev 35)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 1321
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 37
Memory at f0500000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8]
Capabilities: [c8] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [d0] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
Capabilities: [e0] Express Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
Capabilities: [140] Device Serial Number 00-23-14-ff-ff-63-e0-a4
Kernel driver in use: iwlagn

/usr/sbin/iwlist scan
lo Interface doesn’t support scanning.

eth0 Interface doesn’t support scanning.

wmaster0 Interface doesn’t support scanning.

wlan0 Interface doesn’t support scanning : Network is down

/usr/sbin/iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wmaster0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11abgn ESSID:""
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.412 GHz Access Point: Not-Associated
Tx-Power=0 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality:0 Signal level:0 Noise level:0
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

I am completely lost with all of this stuff. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance![/size]

lwfinger · April 23, 2010, 5:36am

On 04/22/2010 10:26 PM, muel98 wrote:
>
> Just loaded up OpenSuSe 11.2 from the DVD.
>
> Wireless seems ok from the icon in the bottom corner, except that no
> APs can be seen.
>
> Here is some output from the sticky-recommended commands:
>
> # dmesg | grep iwlagn
> 7.594414] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for
> Linux, 1.3.27kds
>
> 7.594421] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
>
> 7.597840] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) ->
> IRQ 17
> 7.597863] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
>
> 7.598046] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link
> 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
>
> 7.665264] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24
> 802.11a channels
>
> 7.665692] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: irq 37 for MSI/MSI-X
>
> 42.187262] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 42.243903] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 42.243918] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 42.254870] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 42.254886] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 42.264896] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 42.264915] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
>
> 71.816709] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 71.827149] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.827165] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 71.837995] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.838011] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 71.848606] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.848621] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
>
> 71.852441] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 71.862135] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.862153] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 71.872672] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.872690] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 71.883249] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 71.883267] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
>
> 189.703925] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 189.714467] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.714485] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 189.723090] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.723109] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 189.732231] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.732248] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
>
> 189.734076] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 189.743114] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.743132] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 189.753861] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.753880] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 189.764644] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
>
> 189.764662] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2

You are missing firmware. Use YaST to install the package called
iwl6000-ucode.

muel98 · April 24, 2010, 1:19am

Thanks for the reply.

I opened YAST and did a search, but there doesn’t seem to be a package named iwl6000-ucode…

Akoellh · April 24, 2010, 1:39am

Software.openSUSE.org

lwfinger · April 24, 2010, 1:48am

On 04/23/2010 06:26 PM, muel98 wrote:
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> I opened YAST and did a search, but there doesn’t seem to be a package
> named iwl6000-ucode…

Use Webpin to find it. It is in the Factory repository. I don’t know why
that is the case, but you can get it from there.

muel98 · April 24, 2010, 10:21pm

OK guys,

I found the package and installed using the fantastic one-click YAst install button.

Wireless still doesn’t see APs, and now the output is this:

dmesg | grep iwlagn
7.781653] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds
7.781659] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
7.782171] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
7.782233] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
7.782364] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
7.846801] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels
7.847012] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: irq 37 for MSI/MSI-X
31.059576] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
31.068900] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.068916] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
31.078636] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.078659] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
31.088558] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.088579] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
31.090441] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
31.100681] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.100696] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
31.110125] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.110147] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
31.120176] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
31.120190] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2

Any more ideas?

Thanks again.

lwfinger · April 24, 2010, 10:51pm

On 04/24/2010 03:26 PM, muel98 wrote:
>
> OK guys,
>
> I found the package and installed using the fantastic one-click YAst
> install button.
>
> Wireless still doesn’t see APs, and now the output is this:
>
> dmesg | grep iwlagn
> 7.781653] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for
> Linux, 1.3.27kds
> 7.781659] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
> 7.782171] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) ->
> IRQ 17
> 7.782233] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
> 7.782364] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link
> 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
> 7.846801] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24
> 802.11a channels
> 7.847012] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: irq 37 for MSI/MSI-X
> 31.059576] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 31.068900] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.068916] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 31.078636] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.078659] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 31.088558] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.088579] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
> 31.090441] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
> 31.100681] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.100696] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
> 31.110125] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.110147] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting
> iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
> 31.120176] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file
> req failed: -2
> 31.120190] iwlagn 0000:04:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2
>
>
>
>
> Any more ideas?

That package has a single file in it named iwlwifi-6000-4.ucode.
Apparently, to use it you will need the compat-wireless package for
YOUR kernel version as shown by ‘uname -r’.

joachim_jacob · May 13, 2010, 5:44pm

Hi,

I have exactly the same problem on my HP Elitebook 8640p.

Have you have any success with compat-wireless?

joachim_jacob · May 13, 2010, 6:26pm

I have installed compat-wireless, completely by running ‘make’.

After reboot, dmesg gives:

jojacHP-BITS:~ # dmesg | grep agn
   18.849546] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds
   18.849549] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
   18.850177] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
   18.850208] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
   18.850305] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
   18.878294] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels
   18.878386] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: irq 36 for MSI/MSI-X
   19.466642] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-agn-rs'

I tried the following:
jojacHP-BITS:~ # sudo /usr/sbin/iwconfig wlan0 txpower auto

and suddenly, dmesg again:

jojacHP-BITS:~ # dmesg | grep agn
   18.849546] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds
   18.849549] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
   18.850177] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
   18.850208] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
   18.850305] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
   18.878294] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels
   18.878386] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: irq 36 for MSI/MSI-X
   19.466642] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-agn-rs'
  384.723528] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode
  384.731238] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-3.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
  384.731255] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode
  384.738440] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-2.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
  384.738463] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode
  384.745132] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: iwlwifi-6000-1.ucode firmware file req failed: -2
  384.745152] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Could not read microcode: -2

So, once again:

jojacHP-BITS:~ # iwlist scan
lo        Interface doesn't support scanning.

eth0      Interface doesn't support scanning.

wmaster0  Interface doesn't support scanning.

wlan0     Interface doesn't support scanning : Network is down

vboxnet0  Interface doesn't support scanning.

pan0      Interface doesn't support scanning.

jojacHP-BITS:~ # iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

wmaster0  no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11abgn  ESSID:""  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: Not-Associated   
          Tx-Power=off   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality:0  Signal level:0  Noise level:0
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

vboxnet0  no wireless extensions.

pan0      no wireless extensions.

It seems that I just have a problem installing the microcode ucode-6000-4 (from intel’s wireless support website). I have it copied to /lib/firmware. mac80211 module is also loaded.

jojacHP-BITS:~ # lsmod | grep agn
iwlagn                206760  0 
iwlcore               240172  1 iwlagn
mac80211              257120  2 iwlagn,iwlcore
cfg80211              123296  3 iwlagn,iwlcore,mac80211

But running the scripts from Intel’s does not do the trick (some errors).

Hint: Network manager says “Wireless network is disabled”.

Any suggestions, or just waiting for kernel updates?

muel98 · May 13, 2010, 8:13pm

Hi joachim_jacob,

No, I didn’t have any success at all. I tried the compat-wireless packages and again had no success.

After 3 days of fighting with it, I just gave up and went back to Windows 7, which worked out of the box with no trouble at all.

Good luck to you.

Sam

joachim_jacob · May 21, 2010, 2:22pm

bump

I have installed compat-wireless from here.

Results:

iwlwifi-6000-4.ucode seems to be loaded, since no error is found with dmesg:

jojacHP-BITS:/lib/firmware # dmesg | grep agn
   19.041991] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds
   19.041995] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
   19.042158] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
   19.042195] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
   19.042865] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
   19.085848] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels
   19.085933] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: irq 36 for MSI/MSI-X
   19.557438] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-agn-rs'

the iwlagn module (of which I still believes it is needed for my wireless to work) is loaded

jojacHP-BITS:/lib/firmware # lsmod | grep agn
iwlagn                206760  0 
iwlcore               240172  1 iwlagn
mac80211              257120  2 iwlagn,iwlcore
cfg80211              123296  3 iwlagn,iwlcore,mac80211

Now the funny part! NetworkManager shows wireless is disabled, although it is enable in the BIOS settings.
Some more info:

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:23:14:32:B9:90  
          BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 
          RX bytes:0 (0.0 b)  TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)

jojacHP-BITS:/lib/firmware # iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

wmaster0  no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11abgn  ESSID:""  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: Not-Associated   
          Tx-Power=off   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality:0  Signal level:0  Noise level:0
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

vboxnet0  no wireless extensions.

pan0      no wireless extensions.

jojacHP-BITS:/lib/firmware # iwlist scan
lo        Interface doesn't support scanning.

eth0      Interface doesn't support scanning.

wmaster0  Interface doesn't support scanning.

wlan0     Interface doesn't support scanning : Network is down

vboxnet0  Interface doesn't support scanning.

pan0      Interface doesn't support scanning.

Where are those wireless guru’s? Any idea?
I the meanwhile, I keep searching on my own pace…

pdc_2 · May 21, 2010, 8:55pm

could this be an issue?

Tx-Power=off

eg

Arch Linux Forums / TX Power Issue for wireless after upgrade

I do not claim to be a wireless expert; I have seen this issue on wireless forums; I can only suggest google till an expert comments

joachim_jacob · May 22, 2010, 9:16pm

Yes, i am getting close. It feels like it is waiting around the corner. :sarcastic:

I started my laptop with an ubuntu live cd, to see some of the errors is throws.

The RF_KILL flag showed up to be involved (do not remember the right condition: thought it was turned on…). But indeed, perhaps also the tx_power parameter needs to be set!

Anyway, indeed, googling further… When (if?) I have a solution, i keep you posted!

joachim_jacob · May 25, 2010, 9:47am

Okay, getting there.

Apparently, wireless is disabled by ‘something outside of the driver’s control’.

I installed rfkill and got following:

jojacHP-BITS:~ # rfkill list all
0: phy0: Wireless LAN
	Soft blocked: no
	Hard blocked: yes

jojacHP-BITS:~ # cat /sys/class/rfkill/rfkill0/uevent
RFKILL_NAME=phy0
RFKILL_TYPE=wlan
RFKILL_STATE=2

meaning

2: RFKILL_STATE_HARD_BLOCKED
             transmitter is forced off by something outside of
             the driver's control.
            This file is deprecated because it can only properly show
            three of the four possible states, soft-and-hard-blocked is
            missing.

I tried (according to some forum tips):

switch off wireless in windows (dualboot)
make sure the wireless is enable in BIOS
perhaps I should try to upgrade the BIOS as suggested somewhere? I do not know how to do this?..

lwfinger · May 25, 2010, 4:08pm

On 05/25/2010 02:56 AM, joachim jacob wrote:
>
> Okay, getting there.
>
> Apparently, wireless is disabled by ‘something outside of the driver’s
> control’.
>
> I installed rfkill and got following:
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> jojacHP-BITS:~ # rfkill list all
> 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
> Soft blocked: no
> Hard blocked: yes
>
> jojacHP-BITS:~ # cat /sys/class/rfkill/rfkill0/uevent
> RFKILL_NAME=phy0
> RFKILL_TYPE=wlan
> RFKILL_STATE=2
> --------------------
>
>
> meaning
>
>
> Code:
> --------------------
> 2: RFKILL_STATE_HARD_BLOCKED
> transmitter is forced off by something outside of
> the driver’s control.
> This file is deprecated because it can only properly show
> three of the four possible states, soft-and-hard-blocked is
> missing.
> --------------------
>
>
> I tried (according to some forum tips):
> - switch off wireless in windows (dualboot)
> - make sure the wireless is enable in BIOS
> - perhaps I should try to upgrade the BIOS as suggested somewhere? I do
> not know how to do this?..

Your computer has a “Radio Kill Switch” that is in the kill position. On
my HP laptop, the switch is a slide with definite on/off settings and no
additional software is required. Your machine likely has a push button
and you need the dell-wmi module to handle the switch.

Is that module loaded?

Did you look at the output of ‘dmesg’ to see what is posted there?

joachim_jacob · May 25, 2010, 9:08pm

Hi iwfinger,

I do not have a switch on my laptop (HP 8540p), but a wireless button with a led light. The funny thing is, I can indeed switch that off: my bluetooth disappears. But it has no effect on the status of my wireless.

Tomorrow i will list lsmod, but I regularly check if the module is loaded, and I do not think that is the problem.

Anyways, thanks for the interest and the suggestions!

PS: i was thinking of getting the wireless module out of the laptop, to look if perhaps a switch inside exists. But I do not think this is the case, since it works under windows.

lwfinger · May 25, 2010, 10:17pm

On 05/25/2010 02:16 PM, joachim jacob wrote:
>
> Hi iwfinger,
>
> I do not have a switch on my laptop (HP 8540p), but a wireless button
> with a led light. The funny thing is, I can indeed switch that off: my
> bluetooth disappears. But it has no effect on the status of my
> wireless.
>
> Tomorrow i will list lsmod, but I regularly check if the module is
> loaded, and I do not think that is the problem.
>
> Anyways, thanks for the interest and the suggestions!
>
> PS: i was thinking of getting the wireless module out of the laptop, to
> look if perhaps a switch inside exists. But I do not think this is the
> case, since it works under windows.

There is a connection on the PCIe base that transmits the information to
the wireless module. There is no switch inside.

After a bit more investigation, there is a second module named
dell-laptop. That should also be loaded. If it is, the most likely
explanation is that the dell-wmi or dell-laptop code are not quite right
for your device. As it cuts off bluetooth, it is working a bit.

joachim_jacob · May 26, 2010, 12:36pm

WHOOHOO, all the time spend seems to pay off

What I did was the following:

deinstalling compat-wireless through YAST
installing the latest compat-wireless from here, for the iwlwifi module.
I rebooted (it took a while, the BIOS seemed to be hung, be then it proceeded).
just after restart, nothing happened for over a minute, then networkmanager asked for root password.
And it suddenly recognized my wireless card.

Still need some testing now, but I’ll keep you posted!

For now:

joachim@jojacHP-BITS:~> dmesg | grep agn
   20.704583] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, in-tree:d
   20.704587] iwlagn: Copyright(c) 2003-2010 Intel Corporation
   20.704699] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
   20.704708] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
   20.704803] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 6000 Series 2x2 AGN REV=0x74
   20.714888] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 24 802.11a channels
   20.715013] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: irq 36 for MSI/MSI-X
   20.747462] iwlagn 0000:44:00.0: loaded firmware version 9.193.4.1
   20.893326] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-agn-rs'

joachim@jojacHP-BITS:~> lsmod | grep agn
iwlagn                237200  0 
iwlcore               316596  1 iwlagn
mac80211              323696  2 iwlagn,iwlcore
compat_firmware_class    12552  1 iwlagn
cfg80211              195784  3 iwlagn,iwlcore,mac80211

jojacHP-BITS:~ # iwconfig
wlan0     IEEE 802.11abgn  ESSID:"linksys"  
          Mode:Ad-Hoc  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Cell: 6A:CA:31:57:4A:0F   
          Tx-Power=15 dBm   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:6435-CE0D-8326-8C4A-445C-F493-514B-C60A-31F5-8B4C-D59B-D386-31F5-8B4C-D59B-D386
          Power Management:off

jojacHP-BITS:~ # iwconfig
wlan0     Scan completed :
          Cell 01 - Address: 6A:CA:31:57:4A:0F
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=70/70  Signal level=0 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"linksys"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Ad-Hoc
                    Extra:tsf=0000000000000000
                    Extra: Last beacon: 344486ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00076C696E6B737973
                    IE: Unknown: 010802040B160C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 06020000
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
          Cell 02 - Address: 00:17:9A:45:10:74
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=24/70  Signal level=-86 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"VIBnetUP"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000005a72e37999b
                    Extra: Last beacon: 4975ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00085649426E65745550
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 0505010300E07D
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: Unknown: DD0700E04C01020300

My linux is getting better all the time!