[solved] Wireless woes with 3945abg

[DeForest]

After installing Mint15 on my old Dell laptop in early June, I had some trouble getting my wireless to work. After a lot of searching and reading and downloading and trial and error I got it up and running, though I no longer remember a fraction of what I did. Not that it mattered much, since I was using a cable for my net access. However, I've since then moved, and find myself more dependent on using WiFi. A WiFi that suddenly refuses to cooperate.

The WiFi is active, and can find dozens of nearby networks, but absolutely refuses to establish any connexion to the router. When attempting to connect, it takes about 30 seconds before it asks for the password; entering the password triggers another 30 second wait before it asks again. Repeat ad infinitum. Removing the authentication on the network does not help at all; it just ends up with the same 30 second wait before it gives up.

It worked fine at my local library a week ago, and apart from the updates from Update Manager nothing has been tinkered with for ages. It works equally fine when booting the XP partition, or booting from the live DVD I used when initially installing Mint. (And my roommate's Mac connects without issue.)
In short, somewhere in my mucking around I've managed to do something that works with some connexions, but absolutely refuses to cooperate at my current location.

Trouble is, I'm absolutely clueless as to what it might be, and the more I read and the more suggestions I try, the more confused I get. It does of course not help that the closest I get to any prior Linux experience is some fiddling around with Unix in the mid-early nineties...

Any fresh ideas would be extremely welcome at this point.

Output from /usr/lib/linuxmint/mintWifi/mintWifi.py (with cable plugged in, in case it matters):

Code: Select all

-------------------------
* I. scanning WIFI PCI devices...
  -- Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
      ==> PCI ID = 8086:4222 (rev 02)
-------------------------
* II. querying ndiswrapper...
netw39x5 : driver installed
	device (8086:4222) present (alternate driver: iwl3945)
-------------------------
* III. querying iwconfig...
wlan0     IEEE 802.11g  ESSID:"Oddiii"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.437 GHz  Access Point: Not-Associated   
          Bit Rate:54 Mb/s   
          Fragment thr:-211403072 B   
          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

lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

-------------------------
* IV. querying ifconfig...
eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:19:b9:74:b3:f7  
          inet addr:192.168.1.128  Bcast:192.168.1.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          inet6 addr: 2a02:fe0:ca10:190:219:b9ff:fe74:b3f7/64 Scope:Global
          inet6 addr: fe80::219:b9ff:fe74:b3f7/64 Scope:Link
          inet6 addr: fdf0:e509:7168:0:219:b9ff:fe74:b3f7/64 Scope:Global
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:101832 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:53040 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000 
          RX bytes:98267007 (98.2 MB)  TX bytes:7665667 (7.6 MB)
          Interrupt:17 

lo        Link encap:Local Loopback  
          inet addr:127.0.0.1  Mask:255.0.0.0
          inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
          UP LOOPBACK RUNNING  MTU:65536  Metric:1
          RX packets:1788 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:1788 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:0 
          RX bytes:302157 (302.1 KB)  TX bytes:302157 (302.1 KB)

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1b:77:24:64:66  
          UP 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)
          Interrupt:16 Memory:efcff000-efd00000 

-------------------------
* V. querying DHCP...
Rather than invoking init scripts through /etc/init.d, use the service(8)
utility, e.g. service smbd reload

Since the script you are attempting to invoke has been converted to an
Upstart job, you may also use the reload(8) utility, e.g. reload smbd
-------------------------
* VI. querying nslookup google.com...
Server:		84.208.20.110
Address:	84.208.20.110#53

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:	google.com
Address: 84.208.42.27

Output from inxi -Fxz :

Code: Select all

System:    Host: Alice Kernel: 3.8.0-19-generic i686 (32 bit, gcc: 4.7.3) 
           Desktop: Gnome  (Gtk 2.24.17) Distro: Linux Mint 15 Olivia
Machine:   System: Dell product: MM061
           Mobo: Dell model: 0XD720 Bios: Dell version: A15 date: 04/20/2007
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 CPU T5600 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 7314.24 
           Clock Speeds: 1: 1000.00 MHz 2: 1833.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RV515/M54 [Mobility Radeon X1400] bus-ID: 01:00.0 
           X.Org: 1.13.3 drivers: ati,radeon (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: 1280x800@60.0hz 
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on ATI RV515 GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 9.1.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card: Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver: k3.8.0-19-generic
Network:   Card-1: Broadcom BCM4401-B0 100Base-TX driver: b44 ver: 2.0 bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection driver: ndiswrapper ver: 1.58 bus-ID: 0b:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 160.0GB (58.9% used) 1: id: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HM160JI size: 160.0GB 
Partition: ID: / size: 43G used: 38G (92%) fs: ext4 ID: swap-1 size: 2.14GB used: 0.03GB (2%) fs: swap 
RAID:      No RAID devices detected - /proc/mdstat and md_mod kernel raid module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 54.5C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A 
Info:      Processes: 177 Uptime: 3:22 Memory: 1062.3/2015.5MB Runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.7.3 Client: Shell inxi: 1.8.4 

[igor83]

Visit http://askubuntu.com/questions/73607/wireless-connection-keeps-dropping-with-an-intel-3945abg-card

and if no love, google some more

https://www.google.com/search?q=linux+m ... ss+3945ABG+

I have the same wireless you do (3945ABG) in my Thinkpad, which is running Linux Mint Olivia Xfce 32-bit at present, but my problem is a little bit different. I can establish a connection, but it disconnects after about an hour or so. But I may have fixed it with the above solution. Not sure yet. I'll be surer tomorrow if I'm still connected!

However, the fact you can connect at the library but not at home points the finger at your router and its settings. What is different between the library's wifi and your home wifi?

Good news: My Thinkpad used to connect fine via wifi on Linux Mint Nadia KDE. I think I lost some config when I installed the new OS. I seem to remember having this problem last year when I first began running LM KDE. How I solved it, I don't recall, but it is solvable.

[chili555]

* II. querying ndiswrapper...
netw39x5 : driver installed
device (8086:4222) present (alternate driver: iwl3945)

So which driver is being used?

Code: Select all

lsmod | grep -e ndis -e iwl

I doubt that ndiswrapper is the optimal driver for this device. My iwl3945 works perfectly with the native driver.

If you find that ndiswrapper only is driving your device, temporarily unload it and load the native driver and see if conditions improve:

Code: Select all

sudo modprobe -r ndiswrapper
sudo modprobe iwl3945

If that helps, we'll remove ndiswrapper and go native.

[AlbertP]

The native iwl3945 driver, if it doesn't work, can certainly be fixed. Please uninstall the Windows driver from Windows Wireless Drivers.

[igor83]

After posting the above message, I continued using the net without any problems. My fix was simple. As per the ubuntu link, I created a file in /etc/modprobe.d called iwl3945.conf and inserted this line:

options iwl3945 disable_hw_scan=0

Rebooted and had no more disconnects.

I experienced your exact problem at one location in recent memory. The Thinkpad could find the network, but there was that accursed 30 second delay, and when I entered the password--the correct password--it denied access. Something to do with the way their router is configured I believe. I tried connecting for a long time with no luck. Of course, if the computer cannot connect, then there is no going to the Internet for help. Pretty much a brick wall at that point. I rediscovered reading. I will be interested to know what you discover as a solution, because it is possible I will be at that same location again. I remember reading something to the effect that there is a bug in relation to the n protocol. Something to do with wifi. I have no idea what that means. However, not all networks use that n protocol. I think some do because the nerd that configured the network thinks the n protocol is faster and who cares about old hardware and old computers, right? Let's just support the new I-junk. That is my hunch.

[chili555]

I don't believe the OP is using iwl3945.

[DeForest]

* II. querying ndiswrapper...
netw39x5 : driver installed
device (8086:4222) present (alternate driver: iwl3945)

So which driver is being used?

Code: Select all

lsmod | grep -e ndis -e iwl

I doubt that ndiswrapper is the optimal driver for this device. My iwl3945 works perfectly with the native driver.

If you find that ndiswrapper only is driving your device, temporarily unload it and load the native driver and see if conditions improve:

Code: Select all

sudo modprobe -r ndiswrapper
sudo modprobe iwl3945

If that helps, we'll remove ndiswrapper and go native.

Yes, it's only ndiswrapper:

Code: Select all

ndiswrapper           192638  0 

(For some reason, the "ndis" part is written in red, while the rest is standard white-on-black.)

Good news is that -r ndiswrapper and iwl3945 now has me online and happy. Thanks a bunch! All that remains is to make it permanent...


It should be noted that this was very much a problem of my own making: The reason I started mucking around with the wireless in the first place was that the WiFi light was off, and refused to get turned on. Only later, after trying every suggested solution under the sun, did I accidentally discover that unlike under Windows, where the WiFi light is either on or off, Mint has it blinking. What fooled me is that the blinking is extremely slow if I'm not connected to anything, leading to the impression that it is actually turned off...


ETA: As for the mysterious ability to use the library connexion when nothing else worked (and I tried several other routers as well with no success), I suspect igor83's hunch is close to the mark; the library is probably using some old protocol they set up a decade ago and haven't touched since.

[AlbertP]

If you want to make this pertain, please delete the Windows driver from Windows Wireless Drivers. If that doesn't help, please run:

Code: Select all

sudo rm /etc/modprobe.d/ndiswrapper.conf

[igor83]

It should be noted that this was very much a problem of my own making: The reason I started mucking around with the wireless in the first place was that the WiFi light was off, and refused to get turned on. Only later, after trying every suggested solution under the sun, did I accidentally discover that unlike under Windows, where the WiFi light is either on or off, Mint has it blinking. What fooled me is that the blinking is extremely slow if I'm not connected to anything, leading to the impression that it is actually turned off...

That's actually a feature, I think. The blinking gives a rough approximation of the network activity. So if you see a bunch of blinking and you're not doing anything on the Net, and Update Manager isn't checking for new updates, or something like that, then that may be cause for concern. In Linux Mint Xfce, by the way, no blinking. My wifi indicator just shows bars indicating how strong a signal it is receiving. Right now, I'm at 58%. Oh and by the way, the problem where my connection was dropping on a random basis--totally solved, looks like. Thank goodness for all these Linux forums and the smart people that visit them!

ETA: As for the mysterious ability to use the library connexion when nothing else worked (and I tried several other routers as well with no success), I suspect igor83's hunch is close to the mark; the library is probably using some old protocol they set up a decade ago and haven't touched since.

There's some kind of fix available that will resolve that problem, by disabling the n protocol I think. I had better look into that before I find myself at that problem location again. I typed in about 30 different variations of what I thought to be the password before finally giving up. I learned later that my password was correct. It's a network issue.

[AlbertP]

The blinking LED for an Intel 3945 can certainly be changed.

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/iwl3945.conf

In that text editor please put:

Code: Select all

options iwlegacy led_mode=1

Use led_mode=1 for using the LED as an on/off light; use led_mode=2 to let it blink when data is transferred.

[igor83]

Based on http://www.intel.com/products/wireless/prowireless_mobile.htm , our wireless, 3945abg, does not support 802.11n, so I am disabling it using the instructions found here:

http://itsfoss.com/speed-up-slow-wifi-connection-ubuntu/

and maybe that will clear up problem where we can connect at some locations but not others. Will be testing this when I get a chance.

[chili555]

3945abg, does not support 802.11n, so I am disabling it

What, specifically, did you do?

[DeForest]

That's actually a feature, I think.

Oh, I absolutely agree. It was simply the not knowing about it that led me to confuse Slow Blinking with Off. Which again led me to do silly things in an attempt to fix something that wasn't broken.

The blinking LED for an Intel 3945 can certainly be changed.

Good to know!


Again, thanks for the assistance.

[AlbertP]

3945abg, does not support 802.11n, so I am disabling it

What, specifically, did you do?

You don't need to disable it at all. It's not supported by your card, so won't be used.
The iwlwifi driver that is listed at "2" on the linked web page, is not even used for your card, it's only for newer Intel cards. What's more, there is a typo in one of the commands so it may not work as it should even if you had the right hardware (iwlwif would be iwlwifi, in the first command).

[igor83]

3945abg, does not support 802.11n, so I am disabling it

What, specifically, did you do?

You don't need to disable it at all. It's not supported by your card, so won't be used.
The iwlwifi driver that is listed at "2" on the linked web page, is not even used for your card, it's only for newer Intel cards. What's more, there is a typo in one of the commands so it may not work as it should even if you had the right hardware (iwlwif would be iwlwifi, in the first command).

Thanks for the info. Well, it didn't do any harm, and I really didn't notice any difference.

[Felim_Doyle]

Hi all,

I have this distracting issue on a Dell Latitude D620 which I have only just acquired and I am unfamiliar with the hardware. Can anyone tell me what WiFi hardware is built-in and which device I need to refer to with modprobe please?

[AlbertP]

@ Felim_Doyle: Please open a new topic instead of replying to somebody else's topic about wireless. This topic is marked [solved] so it will be easily overlooked by people able to help.

Can anyone tell me what WiFi hardware is built-in and which device I need to refer to with modprobe please?

You can open Terminal in the menu and run:

Code: Select all

inxi -N

On most computers it shows 2 cards one of which is wireless (often card 2 but may also be card 1 on some computers), and the other one is wired ethernet.

[Felim_Doyle]

Great thanks!

Network:-

• Card-1: Broadcom NetXtreme BCM5752 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express driver: tg3
  Card-2: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection driver: iwl3945

[AlbertP]

Please open a new topic about this problem because this one is already marked as [solved]; also in the new topic please describe there what exactly is going wrong. For example, do you see networks when you click the network icon in the tray, or do you mean that wireless is disabled there? You do not need to post the answer here, use a new topic as I said.