Novatel Merlin U740 doesn't work since Ubuntu 8.10 final

[Florian Schweikert]

Works with 9.10a.

Ubuntu 8.10 64bit 2.6.27-7
Novatel Merlin U740 on Dell Latitude E6500

Works fine with Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10 beta/RC, between RC and final support is broken.
Same problem with 9.04.

[ 7758.440233] pccard: CardBus card inserted into slot 0
[ 7758.440317] PCI: 0000:04:00.0 reg 10 32bit mmio: [0, fff]
[ 7758.440421] pci 0000:04:00.0: supports D1
[ 7758.440425] pci 0000:04:00.0: supports D2
[ 7758.440429] pci 0000:04:00.0: PME# supported from D0 D1 D2 D3hot
[ 7758.440440] pci 0000:04:00.0: PME# disabled
[ 7758.448537] PCI: 0000:04:00.1 reg 10 32bit mmio: [0, fff]
[ 7758.448644] pci 0000:04:00.1: supports D1
[ 7758.448648] pci 0000:04:00.1: supports D2
[ 7758.448654] pci 0000:04:00.1: PME# supported from D0 D1 D2 D3hot
[ 7758.448664] pci 0000:04:00.1: PME# disabled
[ 7758.448875] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[ 7758.448891] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
[ 7758.448929] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 7758.448937] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: OHCI Host Controller
[ 7758.449042] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 9
[ 7766.464067] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: USB HC takeover failed! (BIOS/SMM bug)
[ 7766.464084] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: can't setup
[ 7766.464094] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: USB bus 9 deregistered
[ 7766.467312] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: PCI INT A disabled
[ 7766.467320] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.0: init 0000:04:00.0 fail, -16
[ 7766.467341] ohci_hcd: probe of 0000:04:00.0 failed with error -16
[ 7766.467496] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[ 7766.467509] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: PCI INT B -> GSI 19 (level, low) -> IRQ 19
[ 7766.467536] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: setting latency timer to 64
[ 7766.467545] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: OHCI Host Controller
[ 7766.467608] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 9
[ 7774.477258] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: USB HC takeover failed! (BIOS/SMM bug)
[ 7774.477277] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: can't setup
[ 7774.477289] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: USB bus 9 deregistered
[ 7774.481945] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: PCI INT B disabled
[ 7774.481961] ohci_hcd 0000:04:00.1: init 0000:04:00.1 fail, -16
[ 7774.484826] ohci_hcd: probe of 0000:04:00.1 failed with error -16

kelvan@Boersencrash:~$ lsusb
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 004: ID 0c45:63f8 Microdia
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 0a5c:5801 Broadcom Corp.
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 413c:8156 Dell Computer Corp.
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 413c:8158 Dell Computer Corp.
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 413c:8157 Dell Computer Corp.
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0a5c:4500 Broadcom Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

[Christopher (cmdekok)]

Remove the SIM pin check on your SIM card. Just insert it into a cellphone and remove the pin check under phone and sim settings. Easy work around but now your card will not need a pin anymore,

[Didi Kohen (kohen-d)]

I have a diffrent problem with it since it is identified as a CDMA modem and not a UMTS/3.5G GSM modem, for my provider it was no problem since it doesn't have to have a APN set, but others might have issues with it...

[X-pedro-x (x-pedro-x)]

User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux x86_64; en-GB; rv:1.9.0.9) Gecko/2009041500 SUSE/3.0.9-0.1.1 Firefox/3.0.9

Hi,
After upgrading from openSUSE 11 x86, to openSUSE 11.1 (x86_64) system, my merlin u740 3G (pcmcia) card stopped working, the card works (in the same computer) with Windows Vista and OpenSuSE 10.3 (32b).

This card is pcmcia and it works by adding one virtual USB port.

Output of /var/log/messages,lspci,lsusb,uname -a (dmesg didn't gave anything more than /var/log/messages):

May 9 23:01:42 MartiniLap kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
May 9 23:01:42 MartiniLap kernel: usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
May 9 23:01:42 MartiniLap kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
May 9 23:01:42 MartiniLap kernel: usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
May 9 23:01:51 MartiniLap kernel: pccard: card ejected from slot 0
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pccard: CardBus card inserted into slot 0
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: PCI: 0000:0a:00.0 reg 10 32bit mmio: [0, fff]
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.0: supports D1
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.0: supports D2
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.0: PME# supported from D0 D1 D2 D3hot
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.0: PME# disabled
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: PCI: 0000:0a:00.1 reg 10 32bit mmio: [0, fff]
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.1: supports D1
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.1: supports D2
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.1: PME# supported from D0 D1 D2 D3hot
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: pci 0000:0a:00.1: PME# disabled
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: ohci_hcd 0000:0a:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: vendor=8086 device=2448
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: ohci_hcd 0000:0a:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 20 (level, low) -> IRQ 20
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: ohci_hcd 0000:0a:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: ohci_hcd 0000:0a:00.0: OHCI Host Controller
May 9 23:02:00 MartiniLap kernel: ohci_hcd 0000:0a:00.0: new USB bus registered, ass...

[Gregkh (gregkh)]

Does it work with opensuse in 32 bit mode? Vista is not running in 64bit mode, so odds are your bios was never tested for such a situation.

[Gregkh (gregkh)]

Closing due to lack of activity

[X-pedro-x (x-pedro-x)]

Sorry I didn't reply before, I did some testing with other distros (x86_64) and the card was recognized without prob (i used ubxxxx).

What you say that is configuration wasn't proved before is probably true, but what can i do to help you with this matter, do you need me to send you some more info, details, or configs?

Cheers,
Pedro

[Florian Schweikert (kelvan)]

The SIM doesn't have a pin.
Problem also exists with other kernels (zB 2.6.30).
It also works without problems under Vista :/

[Florian Schweikert (kelvan)]

I tested it again with 8.04.3 and 9.10a3.
Hardy with wvdial works, but there are many other problems (soundcontrol has no affect, automount usbstick doesn't work, ...)
9.10a3 works also really good, connect card -> wizard -> few clicks and ready for connection :)
Karmic Koala seems do be the best working Ubuntu since Feisty Fawn.

[Florian Schweikert (kelvan)]

Works with 2.6.31-2_amd64
Problems with 2.6.31-4, found the modem, but get no connection

[Novell-jm (novell-jm)]

You should definitely read the following bug posting as well:

https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=407592

From looking at the dmesg output that you posted it appears to be the same issue.

Can you please post the following:

 * Computer Manufacturer
 * Computer Model
 * BIOS level installed
 * OS Names and 32/64-bit
 * Amount of RAM installed
 * PCMCIA Card (Name and Model #) that did not work

These all appear to be factors that the devs are coming to on the other post.

Pedro, please post in the other forum the above info or at least let the developers know that you are experiencing the same symptoms.

[X-pedro-x (x-pedro-x)]

I also tried this with kernel 2.6.30 from kernel.org and it had the same issue, but the good news is that in the 31 release candidate it's fixed.
I tried with kernel 2.6.31-rc3 from kernel.org and it works perfectly. now my nvidia drivers are a bit unstable with that kernel version.
Hopefully it will all come together in the final 2.6.31 version of the kernel.
Cheers,
Pedro

ps - my computer info
Manufacturer - Sony Vaio
Model - VGN-SZ5XN
Bios - Vendor: "Phoenix Technologies LTD" Version: "R0112N0"
OS - OpenSuSE 11.1 (daily uptodate) X86_64
RAM - 4GB (just 3.2 available as the memory controller is 32b)
PCMCIA - U740 Merlin 3,5G data card

[Gregkh (gregkh)]

Ok, great, I'm marking this now fixed as .31 is what is in FACTORY and is what will be in the 11.2 release.

[Trenn-novell (trenn-novell)]

*** Bug 407592 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[brainjuice (z-launchpad-jm-themitchells-us)]

Do we know which version of the Kernel will be used in 9.10?

Although I am primarily an Ubuntu user, I have participated in tracking down the same issue on the Suse bugzilla forums: https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=407592

It is important to track this issue down as it appears as though it is a kernel issue that affects the whole Linux community. I also want to make sure that Ubuntu 9.10 is based off of a working version of the kernel as I like many others are dead in the water with our wireless modem cards, even with Ubuntu 9.04.

[Novell-jm (novell-jm)]

Pedro,
I am following this discussion in a number of places across the 'net. Over on Ubuntu's bug tracking system a correlated bug discussion is occurring ( https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/291653 ) and the person posting there notes that the issue was resolved in 2.6.31-RC2 yet seems to have re-emerged in 2.6.31-RC4.

Would you please test with 2.6.31-RC5 and see if the issue has re-emerged or if it is still resolved for you? If it has re-emerged we need to jump on the Kernel bug system and note the change so it can be tracked down and resolved in the final release, else we are hosed in the next major rev of many Linux distros as they will be based on the final release of 2.6.31.

Thanks for your time and effort on this issue.

[X-pedro-x (x-pedro-x)]

Hi John,
I've tested it with a custom compiled kernel-2.6.31rc5 x86_64 and it works perfectly.
After untaring the kernel just did:
make oldconfig
(answered all the questions with the defaults)
make rpm

Installed the kernel rpm, ran mkinitrd, configured grub and rebooted with the new kernel.
It worked flawlessly.
I think we can give it a go!

Pedro M. S. Oliveira
IT Consultant
http://www.linux-geex.com

[Rrawson (rrawson)]

I followed this process and was able to get the broadband card to work on my D830 but this kernel breaks both the Cisco VPN client 4.8 and VMWare workstation 5.5 so I am now in search of patches to set this back to working. Other installed software such as Crossover Office 8 does continue to function.

[Novell-jm (novell-jm)]

Just reporting back that I did a test build with kernel 2.6.31-rc5 inside Ubuntu 9.04 and was able to use my Sierra Wireless Aircard 595 without issue with the default configuration (auto detected) with the NetworkManager. Granted, my NVidia drivers would not work but I assume that will get fixed by the time .31 is finalized. Lets all hope that this kernel issue is fixed for good.

(Sorry for the cross posting, just reporting back in a few bug threads for thoroughness as I suspect there are many who would not bother to read the other associated threads.)

[Novell-jm (novell-jm)]

Sorry forgot to mention that the above successful test build of 2.6.31-rc5 was on a Dell Latitude e6500.

[kernel-janitor (kernel-janitor)]

Hi Florian,

Please be sure to confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu. ISO CD images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic . If the issue remains, please run the following command from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal). It will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report.

apport-collect -p linux 291653

Also, if you could test the latest upstream kernel available that would be great. It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag. This can be done by clicking on the yellow pencil icon next to the tag located at the bottom of the bug description and deleting the 'needs-upstream-testing' text. Please let us know your results.

Thanks in advance.

[This is an automated message. Apologies if it has reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[DaNy3l (danieliozzi)]

Same Problem here, it was working with 8.10 but is not working since 9.10 (fresh install)
I managed to make it work setting.
Pluging in the PCMCIA card lsusb will list

Bus 004 Device 002: ID 0a5c:2101 Broadcom Corp. A-Link BlueUsbA2 Bluetooth
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 010: ID 0421:0154 Nokia Mobile Phones
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 0458:003a KYE Systems Corp. (Mouse Systems)
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 046d:c315 Logitech, Inc. Classic New Touch Keyboard
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
(nothing new)
lspci will list these 2 new entries

0c:00.0 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)
0c:00.1 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)

lscpcmcia

Socket 0 Bridge: [yenta_cardbus] (bus ID: 0000:0b:06.0)
  CardBus card -- see "lspci" for more informat

And most relevant messages with dmesg or tail -f /var/log/messages

[76249.484118] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: irq 20, io mem 0x48001000
[76249.540174] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: USB HC reset timed out!
[76249.540191] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: can't start
[76249.540225] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: startup error -1
[76249.540239] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: USB bus 7 deregistered
[76249.540535] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: PCI INT B disabled
[76249.540542] ohci_hcd 0000:0c:00.1: init 0000:0c:00.1 fail, -1
[76249.540567] ohci_hcd: probe of 0000:0c:00.1 failed with error -1
[76256.872059] usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 50
[76257.013053] usb 5-1: device descriptor read/64, error -62
[76257.256049] usb 5-1: device descriptor read/64, error -62
[76257.496048] usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 51
[76257.636046] usb 5-1: device descriptor read/64, error -62
[76257.881055] usb 5-1: device descriptor read/64, error -62
[76258.121040] usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 52
[76258.529051] usb 5-1: device not accepting address 52, error -62
[76258.664060] usb 5-1: new full speed USB device using ohci_hcd and address 53
[76259.073046] usb 5-1: device not accepting address 53, error -62
[76259.073107] hub 5-0:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 1

But, if I set
echo 1 > sys/module/usbcore/parameters/old_scheme_first

I will get the datacard to work! , populating

/dev/ttyUSB0
/dev/ttyUSB1

but it will disconnect so frequently, that I can't use it

And what it disconnects is the usb device not the ppp link

I have used all available kernel available with the standard upgrades in the repository.
currently using

2.6.31-20-generic #57-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 8 09:05:19 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux

is an Acer laptop Travelmate 4520 (ATI hardware)

[Przemek K. (azrael)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. We are sorry that we do not always have the capacity to look at all reported bugs in a timely manner.
There have been many changes in Ubuntu since that time you reported the bug and your problem may have been fixed with some of the updates. It would help us a lot if you could test the current Ubuntu development version (10.10). If you can test it, and it is still an issue, we would appreciate if you could upload updated logs by running apport-collect 291653, and any other logs that are relevant for this particular issue.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug was filed against a series that is no longer supported and so is being marked as Won't Fix. If this issue still exists in a supported series, please file a new bug.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.