Alfa AWUS036H wireless disconnects after 1min on Karmic Koala 9.10

[enedene]

I have Alpha AWUS036H wireless card. I use Karmic Koala 9.10. The problem is that card stops working properly in a minute or so (can't surfe for example). I seem to be connected but I can't surf. It must be a driver problem. The connection strength is good, and much less powerful cards work fine with my wireless router.
---
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.21.
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ubuntu 3047 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: ubuntu 3047 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'NVidia'/'HDA NVidia at 0xee000000 irq 23'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC883'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0883,1458e601,00100002'
   Controls : 40
   Simple ctrls : 22
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'Audigy2'/'SB Audigy 4 [SB0610] (rev.0, serial:0x10211102) at 0xa400, irq 18'
   Mixer name : 'SigmaTel STAC9750,51'
   Components : 'AC97a:83847650'
   Controls : 202
   Simple ctrls : 37
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
LiveMediaBuild: Ubuntu 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Beta amd64 (20100406.1)
Lsusb:
 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0957:0006 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
 Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:8187 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8187 Wireless Adapter
 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
MachineType: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. M52L-S3
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/casper/vmlinuz file=/cdrom/preseed/hostname.seed boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash --
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-19.28-generic 2.6.32.10+drm33.1
Regression: No
RelatedPackageVersions: linux-firmware 1.33
Reproducible: Yes
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
Tags: lucid networking needs-upstream-testing
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-19-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 01/23/2008
dmi.bios.vendor: Award Software International, Inc.
dmi.bios.version: F5
dmi.board.name: M52L-S3
dmi.board.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAwardSoftwareInternational,Inc.:bvrF5:bd01/23/2008:svnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:pnM52L-S3:pvr:rvnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:rnM52L-S3:rvr:cvnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:ct3:cvr:
dmi.product.name: M52L-S3
dmi.sys.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.

[razta (ryandewhurst)]

I'm having the same problems.
Worked fine under Fedora 12 and WinXP SP3. lsusb detects the correct adapter and driver.

[promicin (altamash3000)]

Based on my tests, the rtl8187L driver that comes with 9.10 is unstable for internet use. APs at close range seem to work better then AP much father but well in the receiving and transmitting range of alfa, seem to have problems. The only alternative to this is to use a kernel 2.6.30 and lower with patched r8187 driver described in aircrack-ng website. This r8187 driver wont compile in kernel 2.6.31 that comes with 9.10 because they have changed the net api structure. However i contacted realtek and they provided me with a driver that does compile in 9.10 but it does not seem to be fully operational. Maybe a patch could fix this or make it compatible with networkmanager.

Here is the driver and i hope a someone can fix this problem: http://www.4shared.com/file/188631523/a725eefa/rtl8187L_linux_26103901042010r.html

[enedene (enedene)]

It's not just that it's unstable, the network card does sees A LOT of networks, but whan you try to use them, only these that signal strength is above 70% work, the rest connect but you can't surf.

[promicin (altamash3000)]

agreed enedene, and thats really frustrating. Im using backtrack 4 pre final because of that and im hating the fact that this distro does not have an up to date repository like karmic 9.10 does and i really want to use the latest kde in kubuntu 9.10 and because i connect to the internet primarily thru wlan using a nearby hotspot, makes this the only reason i cant use 9.10. They really need to do something about this driver. The way i see it the guys at aircrack-ng should make a patch for the driver i posted since it seems to compile in karmic 9.10 just like how they made a patch for r8187 version. I posted on their forums but no one has responded yet. So i emailed realtek again asking them to make a driver for 9.10 but i havent heard back from them yet. They will probably tell me to use the same driver they sent me which i have posted above. I still think something can be done but we need support to make that happen.

I suggest you do the same email realtek at jasonchang(at)realtek.com and explain to them carefully what the problem is, these guy will probably test their driver and see that it works and be done with that, but they dont realize that it has issues when the AP is far and something needs to be done about that. So try to explain to them very carefully that this is the problem and that we want a driver which is patched to work with these issues and that its compatible with ubuntu/kubuntu 9.10's networkmanager. The r8187 driver is NOT compatible with networkmanager and you have to use wicd which itself is not fully detecting the driver, still need to manually connect using shell. So there are many issues with r8187 driver aswell. We need a complete fix and its sad that such a popular card and a popular chip rtl8187L does not have a fully functional driver for linux and we have to use handicapped drivers which still need primitive shell commands for connecting. Imagine this, just to scan, i have to run airodump-ng so that i can see what the real range is, wicd doesnt even do that for me since it only scans but range is 0% unless im connected to a network and even after that its not really accurate.

So please, we need our voices to be heard, i doubt if ubuntu can do anything about our issue, its realtek who needs to make a new driver/patch fully working with karmic 9.10. Realtek or guys at aircrack-ng, suggest you also request in this forum: http://forum.aircrack-ng.org/index.php?topic=5755.195

[bedhead75 (bedhead999)]

I can confirm that I'm also having the same problem with the native rtl8187 driver that comes with the 2.6.31 kernel in Ubuntu 9.10, and I'm also using the same wireless Alfa AWUS036H USB adapter. I have an important piece of information that hasn't been reported yet, which might help with finding the source of the problem. When connecting to my own encrypted network, internet use is very slow (80kb/s max. download speed) despite 100% connectivity. When I switch my router security settings from wpa2 to open, internet download speeds rise 10X. This is still not as fast as my other USB adapter (rt73 driver) for which I'm getting 1.2mb/s download speeds, with or without encryption. It appears slow internet with rtl8187 is somehow related to encryption.

[promicin (altamash3000)]

A more detailed report of this problem is listed here: http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=14168

But seems like they have ran out of ideas for now, but its a good place to see the technical specifics related to this driver.

[binmode (binmode)]

I have the same issue with AWUS036H.

[Damian Poole (damolp)]

This problem occours in 9.10 or 10.04b1 when i use WPA2 or WPA but not with WEP. I fixed it by installing the latest r8187 driver from realtek.tw and patching it with the aircrack-ng patches for txpower/injection.

[Tomaz Muraus (tomaz-muraus)]

Which driver exactly have you used?

I've tried all of them, even one apparently provided to some users by the Realtek staff, but unfortunately none of them works in Ubuntu 9.10 (kernel 2.6.31).

[Tomaz Muraus (tomaz-muraus)]

Btw, I guess you probably mean rtl8187L_linux_26.1039.0104.2010.release.tar.gz.

I've tried this one (among many others) and it does not work as well (Ubuntu x64, kernel 2.6.31).

You can connect to to distant APs, but the problem with no throughput still exists, so the driver is basically useless (for the close APs I can just use my laptop's build in wlan adapter).

[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

Hi enedene,

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/ . 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 455354

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.]

[enedene (enedene)]

Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ed 2830 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: ed 2830 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/pcmC1D0p: ed 2830 F...m pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'NVidia'/'HDA NVidia at 0xee000000 irq 23'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC883'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0883,1458e601,00100002'
   Controls : 40
   Simple ctrls : 22
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'Audigy2'/'SB Audigy 4 [SB0610] (rev.0, serial:0x10211102) at 0xa400, irq 18'
   Mixer name : 'SigmaTel STAC9750,51'
   Components : 'AC97a:83847650'
   Controls : 202
   Simple ctrls : 37
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
HibernationDevice: RESUME=/dev/sda2
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release amd64 (20091027)
Lsusb:
 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0957:0006 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
 Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:8187 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8187 Wireless Adapter
 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
MachineType: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. M52L-S3
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.34-999-generic root=UUID=6d5e8d66-7628-460f-85a7-cd89474abb8f ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
Uname: Linux 2.6.34-999-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin netdev plugdev sambashare vboxusers
dmi.bios.date: 01/23/2008
dmi.bios.vendor: Award Software International, Inc.
dmi.bios.version: F5
dmi.board.name: M52L-S3
dmi.board.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAwardSoftwareInternational,Inc.:bvrF5:bd01/23/2008:svnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:pnM52L-S3:pvr:rvnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:rnM52L-S3:rvr:cvnGigabyteTechnologyCo.,Ltd.:ct3:cvr:
dmi.product.name: M52L-S3
dmi.sys.vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

apport information

[enedene (enedene)]

I could only test newest kernel on 9.10 version, because I cant install newest ubuntu right now. The results were the same, I can connect to network but if the signal is below 70% it stays connected but it doesnt work.

I have tired the live CD of newest Ubuntu and the problem is still there.

[lys (lys)]

its a wifi card why are u posting lists of audio devices ?

[bimatampan (iko94)]

these might be helps :

http://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=rtl8187&DokuWiki=29d1fd52ad6ffb6e2590fa8ec32dc095

just try install compat wireless from synaptic.

[Abdullah Alshammeri (abshammeri)]

I have the same issue with AWUS036H.

in ubuntu 12.04 , it is connected well , but after several minutes it's disconnected .

[Anton Stoychev (antitoxic)]

Same here with Ubunty 12.10. I'm easily connected but after a few minutes it disconnects me and can't connect back.

Works ideally on windows 8.

[shappappo (shappappo)]

It seems nobody noticed.... while you cannot browse the web, many other network activities work fine.

I usually, not always, can use apt-get update, upgrade and install, and....Skype works! (never tried wget)

This AWUS036H thing is absurd, and is lasting for years. Has anybody found a definitive solution?

What OFTEN works for me is to sudo:

ifconfig wlan1 down
iw reg set BO
iwconfig wlan1 txpower 30
iwconfig wlan1 frag 512
iwconfig wlan1 rts 512
iwconfig wlan1 rate 5.5M auto
ifconfig wlan1 up

What is really absurd, though, is that sometimes it is not necessary. I can use many nearby hotspots and try many neighbour's wifi (with their permission and kindly provided WPA), and each time the results are just unpredictable.

In addition, I'd say that the porpouse of the first two commands (reg set and txpower) is THE OPPOSITE of the latter, that are aimed to decrease and better manage EM noise, but this strange mix often, NOT ALWAYS, works.

In my experience, the farther the AP and the less in line of sight, the worse the alfa works, despite the apparent strenght of signal showed in network manager (that has to be good anyway).

Something else I noticed, the connection drops every time, in less than optimal conditions, the upload increases, as it happens with torrents.
To be precise it is not the connection that seems to drop, THE ANTENNA ITSELF SWITCH OFF.

Same results since ubu 10.04 up to 12.10, any possible kernel in between.
Sometimes I also tried to use Realtek drivers instead of those included in Ubu.

Something else nobody noticed......in Puppy Linux (didn.t test the latest) it works much better!!! and, just to underline it, in Puppy also ndiswrapper works perfectly, while in Ubu it just doesn't work at all anymore (since 9.10 i think)

I prepared a complete backup, and later today I'll try to install a fresh Ubu Gnome 12.10 upgrading to Kernel 3.8.3.
I'm not really interested in cutting edge upgrades, as long as I can browse, use Skype and download few torrents I'm fine, but I'm forced to try everything because of this poor supported product.
Among the changes in the latest stable kernel I red a better handling of USB peripherals, many of wich, it seems, tends to be cut out after a short period of time.
It's just a try, I don't even REALLY understand of USB or network or drivers or whatever.
Puppy Linux first, then Ubu and MANY other distros never required me to go deeper in things, so I never really "learned linux".
It is so easy to go "around" obstacles instead of learn how to fix them that when some "serious" problem like this occurs I don't know what to do.
This time, though, I'm not alone....

Please, let me know if somebody scientifically or accidentaly came up with a working solution

[penalvch (penalvch)]

enedene, this bug was reported a while ago and there hasn't been any activity in it recently. We were wondering if this is still an issue? If so, could you please test for this with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ .

If it remains an issue, could you please run the following command in the development release from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal), as it will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report:

apport-collect -p linux <replace-with-bug-number>

Also, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds ? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Please do not test the daily folder, but the one all the way at the bottom. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

where VERSION-NUMBER is the version number of the kernel you tested. For example:
kernel-fixed-upstream-v3.11

This can be done by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon next to the word Tags located at the bottom of the bug description. As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug's Status as Confirmed. Please let us know your results. Thank you for your understanding.

[Amir Taaki (genjix-h)]

I have this bug on Ubuntu 14.0 with Alfa AWUS036NHR 2.0

I'm watching wavemon and the signal hovers around -50 dBm, but then increasing starts to swing more and more until I it's swinging from -40 dBm to -80 dBm. The connection is very fast initially but then becomes unusuable (hangs). I then need to disable networking to reload the networking before it works again.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Amir Taaki, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into the default Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

[Po-Hsu Lin (cypressyew)]

Closing this bug with Won't fix as this kernel / release is no longer supported.
Please feel free to open a new bug report if you're still experiencing this on a newer release (Bionic 18.04.3 / Disco 19.04)
Thanks!