WLAN issues

[Cyberpagan]

Hey folks,

I have a freshly installed kubuntu 7.10 up and running, but the WLAN still has some issues:

1. after rebooting, I have to re-enter the network settings (WEP key and gateway)
2. after that, everything seems to work for some time, then I am disconnected
3. after being disconnected, I have another IP address
4. I can't enter the correct WLAN settings and have to reboot

Any suggestions?

Oh, btw... I am NOT using Knetworkmanager.

[Master Chief]

Re: WLAN issues

Still much of a nub myself, but are you certain you're getting root permissions when you change the settings? Also, once you've set the network settings, you should go into the settings again, making sure you have root, and check everything and make sure some little checkbox isn't undone or something that requires you to enter the settings again. I don't know any of that too well though, mine just picked up the network on its own so I never had to fool with it.

[marshallbanana]

Re: WLAN issues

Oh, btw... I am NOT using Knetworkmanager.

What are you using instead?

[Cyberpagan]

Re: WLAN issues

I entered the settings in system settings -> network

[Cyberpagan]

Re: WLAN issues

I just reinstalled everything and managed to get my WLAN working using knetworkmanager.

However, when I tried to get updates via adept updater, I was disconnected again - with the only way to connect again being to reboot.

That sucks. I still don't have a clue how to get the packages I need when I can't download anything because I'm always kicked out!

[lingenfr]

Re: WLAN issues

OK, why don't you start by letting us know what type of wireless adapter you have. While you are at it, go to K>System>Terminal and paste the output of these commands:

ifconfig

iwconfig

[Cyberpagan]

Re: WLAN issues

ifconfig:

lo Protokoll:Lokale Schleife
inet Adresse:127.0.0.1 Maske:255.0.0.0
inet6 Adresse: ::1/128 Gültigkeitsbereich:Maschine
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:1 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:1 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
Kollisionen:0 Sendewarteschlangenlänge:0
RX bytes:576 (576.0 b) TX bytes:576 (576.0 b)

wlan0 Protokoll:Ethernet Hardware Adresse 00:19:5B:CD:50:BC
inet Adresse:192.168.0.173 Bcast:192.168.0.255 Maske:255.255.255.0
inet6 Adresse: fe80::219:5bff:fecd:50bc/64 Gültigkeitsbereich:Verbindung
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:2054 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:2213 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
Kollisionen:0 Sendewarteschlangenlänge:1000
RX bytes:1849985 (1.7 MB) TX bytes:441045 (430.7 KB)

wmaster0 Protokoll:UNSPEC Hardware Adresse 00-19-5B-CD-50-BC-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
UP BROADCAST RUNNING 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
Kollisionen:0 Sendewarteschlangenlänge:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 b) TX bytes:0 (0.0 b)

iwconfig:

wlan0 IEEE 802.11g ESSID:"network_essid"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.437 GHz Access Point: 00:17:9A:65:1D:67
Retry min limit:7 RTS thrff Fragment thr=2346 B
Link Signal level=-75 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

[Snowhog]

Re: WLAN issues

IF you want to continue using KNetworkManager, you should check out gilf's How to Solve Many KnetworkManager Wireless Connection Problems

[gilf]

Re: WLAN issues

There can be a lot of reasons for frequent disconnections which have nothing to do with the computer, OS or WiFi driver. Low signal strength, periodic noise, provider problems, and even power management software.

If it occurs using NetworkManager using LiveCD as outlined, check these other sources of potential problems.

[Cyberpagan]

Re: WLAN issues

OK. So I booted with the Live DVD and experienced the same effects:

I can connect to my WLAN, then everything works fine or a while. Then, especially when I try to install more packages (either with the "Add/Remove Programs" function or with the Adept Manager) I lose my connection. And most of these times I am not able to reconnect, in spite of KNetworkMagnager still showing normal signal strength (68 to 76%).

The interesting thing is that everything went well until I upgraded to 7.10 - no problem whatsoever with Feisty!

These are the same effects that I had when I wasn't using KNetworkManager, but typed the information in via System Settings - Network.

[gilf]

Re: WLAN issues

Troubleshooting is a process of eliminating possibilities by using known good steps and gradually narrowing down.

Here are some steps to eliminate possibilities:

1.) Boot from a Feisty LiveCD and perform the same software downloads to determine whether your theory that it is related to 7.10 is correct.

2.) Move to a different location (like a library with wifi Access) test with 7.10 live disk and try the same software downloads from that location (to eliminate the provider or router as the problem)

3.) Borrow a friend's wifi card and use it with the 7.10 liveCD in your present location to see whether a different card solves the problems (to determine if your card is defective)

4.) Try some different software downloads from your present location and 7.10 Live Disk to determine if the software you are downloading is affecting your system.

5.) run memtest from the LiveCD to check your computer, and similarly try your card and the 7.10 CD in another computer at your location to determine if your hardware has a problem.

etc.

All of these have the advantage that you are gradually working your way down to pinpointing your problam, rather than trying random solutions, and possibly mixing the system up in a way that you eill not be able to determine the problem. The really important thing to do is use Live CDs so you know it is a clean test.

hope this helps.

[lingenfr]

Re: WLAN issues

You still have not told us what kind of wireless adapter you have. Please run this command and paste the output:

lspci|grep Wireless

Based on your mac address I know that it is a D-Link of some type and I am betting it is Broadcom based, but maybe not. No offense to others but I think we are chasing the goose until we know what you have.

[gilf]

Re: WLAN issues

If the card worked perfectly in 7.04 it is unlikely to be a card type/driver problem, unless the 7.04 install was a user installed special driver (ndiswrapper, etc.) and that was wiped out or corrupted in the upgrade.

If the card did not work in a new installation, then we'd suspect the card type.

A simple boot and trial with the 7.04 CD would resolve this. But there's nothing wrong with naming the card type.

This is the likely cause matrix for this users case:

7.10 LiveCD positive, 7.04 LiveCD positive = altered interfaces file, corrupted Netwkmgr
7.10 LiveCD negative, 7.04 LiveCD positive = version bug
7.10 LiveCD negative, 7.04 LiveCD negative = special user added drivers altered or missing. Or other causes (computer memory or defect, signal problem, card defect, router problem, provider, etc as mentioned in prior post -- troubleshoot using those steps)

[Snowhog]

Re: WLAN issues

gilf - I like your approach to problem solving. It is much like what I do, and it is a solid approach. A very important aspect of the approach is making changes one at a time and testing the result. This method is slower, granted, but in the long run, much more beneficial.

[lingenfr]

Re: WLAN issues

But there's nothing wrong with naming the card type.

Gosh thanks