14e4:4727 wireless misbehaves / disconnects when running on battery

[André d.]

Using an Acer Aspire One 722-0473, when on running on battery power, the wireless connection slows down to a crawling pace, or stops entirely.

When running Lucid, the wifi worked perfectly on battery power.

WORKAROUND: After unplugging the computer from the AC, execute the following at a terminal, and the wireless begins to behave normally:
/sbin/iwconfig eth1 power off

WORKAROUND: In 12.04 and 12.10, uninstall network-manager and use wicd instead.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: linux-image-3.2.0-30-generic 3.2.0-30.48
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-30.48-generic 3.2.27
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-30-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu13
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 1: SB [HDA ATI SB], device 0: CONEXANT Analog [CONEXANT Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: andre 1760 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: andre 1760 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: command ['iw', 'reg', 'get'] failed with exit code 1: nl80211 not found.
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Generic'/'HD-Audio Generic at 0xf0444000 irq 42'
   Mixer name : 'ATI R6xx HDMI'
   Components : 'HDA:1002aa01,00aa0100,00100200'
   Controls : 6
   Simple ctrls : 1
Card0.Amixer.values:
 Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
   Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
   Playback channels: Mono
   Mono: Playback [on]
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'SB'/'HDA ATI SB at 0xf0440000 irq 16'
   Mixer name : 'Conexant CX20588'
   Components : 'HDA:14f1506c,10250598,00100000'
   Controls : 18
   Simple ctrls : 12
Date: Fri Sep 14 18:42:40 2012
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=f5b93b65-0d5c-461a-9d70-75e770fc7573
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20120425)
Lsusb:
 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
 Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
 Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 064e:d214 Suyin Corp.
MachineType: Acer AO722
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-30-generic root=UUID=fb8ab3e3-cf16-40d8-9ef3-5095bebaf4d2 ro radeon.audio=1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.2.0-30-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.2.0-30-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.79.1
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 08/24/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
dmi.bios.version: V1.05
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: JE10-BZ
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: Base Board Version
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: V1.05
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV1.05:bd08/24/2011:svnAcer:pnAO722:pvrV1.05:rvnAcer:rnJE10-BZ:rvrBaseBoardVersion:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV1.05:
dmi.product.name: AO722
dmi.product.version: V1.05
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer
---
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: andre 1877 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/pcmC1D0p: andre 1877 F...m pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: andre 1877 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: command ['iw', 'reg', 'get'] failed with exit code 1: nl80211 not found.
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=f5b93b65-0d5c-461a-9d70-75e770fc7573
Lsusb:
 Bus 002 Device 004: ID 064e:d214 Suyin Corp.
 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
 Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
 Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
 Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
MachineType: Acer AO722
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic root=UUID=fb8ab3e3-cf16-40d8-9ef3-5095bebaf4d2 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-17.28-generic 3.5.5
PulseList:
 Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: Home directory /home/andre not ours.
 No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.95
Tags: quantal
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-17-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups:

dmi.bios.date: 08/24/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
dmi.bios.version: V1.05
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: JE10-BZ
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: Base Board Version
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: V1.05
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV1.05:bd08/24/2011:svnAcer:pnAO722:pvrV1.05:rvnAcer:rnJE10-BZ:rvrBaseBoardVersion:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV1.05:
dmi.product.name: AO722
dmi.product.version: V1.05
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.6 kernel[0] (Not a kernel in the daily directory) and install both the linux-image and linux-image-extra .deb packages.

Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag. Please only remove that one tag and leave the other tags. 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.

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.6-rc6-quantal/

[André d. (andrera3)]

Unfortunately I was unable to test the upstream kernel (3.6 rc6), as the wl module would not load and I was left with no wireless connection whatsoever.

I opened jockey and attempted to activate the broadcom driver through it, but an error arose. I will attach the jockey.log file that was generated.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., thank you for testing the mainline kernel. Could you please confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO CD images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ . If the issue remains, 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>

Thank you for your understanding.

[André d. (andrera3)]

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[André d. (andrera3)]

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[André d. (andrera3)]

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[André d. (andrera3)]

I have upgraded my netbook to 12.10 (the daily build link provided by Christopher M. Penalver) The issue remained, so I ran the apport-collect script (see above).

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., thank you for performing the apport-collect in Quantal.

What is your laptop model line found on the laptop sticker? For example, Acer Aspire 5750-9668?

[André d. (andrera3)]

Christopher,

My laptop is an Acer Aspire One 722-0473

Thanks for looking into this!

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., as per http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers -> Netbook -> Aspire One -> AO722 -> Windows 7 32-bit or Windows 7 64-bit your BIOS (1.05) is outdated. Could you please update to the newest one (1.08) and comment on if this changes anything?

[André d. (andrera3)]

Sorry for the delay in responding...

I have just flashed the newest bios (1.8), but saw absolutely no change in the wireless behavior. It misbehaves exactly as it did before, and the same workaround still works.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., thank you for testing the newest BIOS. Did this problem not occur in a release prior to Precise?

[André d. (andrera3)]

I honestly cannot remember whether it was an issue in Oneiric or not. Sorry!

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., could you please test a Lucid live environment via http://releases.ubuntu.com/lucid/ and report on if this is reproducible?

[André d. (andrera3)]

Christopher,

When running Lucid, the wifi worked perfectly on battery power. I could detect no drop in wifi speed.

[André d. (andrera3)]

At the risk of further complicating, rather than clarifying the issue, I think it should be noted that the wifi problems seem to go away if I uninstall network-manager and use wicd instead. This is true both of 12.04 and 12.10.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., thank you for perform the requested test. Regarding your comments https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1051103/comments/27 :
>"I think it should be noted that the wifi problems seem to go away if I uninstall network-manager and use wicd instead. This is true both of 12.04 and 12.10."

Ok. To further test if network-manager is a factor, could you please boot into an installed version of either 12.04 or 12.10, install the Lucid kernel found at https://launchpad.net/~canonical-kernel-team/+archive/ppa/+build/3851599 , and comment on the issue is reproducible?

[André d. (andrera3)]

Christopher,

I am unable to install the kernel from the link you provide, as I run into dependencies errors. The terminal output is as follows:
-------------------------------------------

(Reading database ... 152244 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic 2.6.32-44.98 (using linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic_2.6.32-44.98_amd64.deb) ...
Unpacking replacement linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-2.6.32-44-generic.
Unpacking linux-image-2.6.32-44-generic (from linux-image-2.6.32-44-generic_2.6.32-44.98_amd64.deb) ...
Done.
Selecting previously unselected package linux-tools-2.6.32-44.
Unpacking linux-tools-2.6.32-44 (from linux-tools-2.6.32-44_2.6.32-44.98_amd64.deb) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic:
 linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic depends on linux-headers-2.6.32-44; however:
  Package linux-headers-2.6.32-44 is not installed.

dpkg: error processing linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic (--install):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Setting up linux-image-2.6.32-44-generic (2.6.32-44.98) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: deferring update (hook will be called later)
Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
ERROR (dkms apport): kernel package linux-headers-2.6.32-44-generic is not supported
Error! Bad return status for module build on kernel: 2.6.32-44-generic (x86_64)
Consult /var/lib/dkms/bcmwl/5.100.82.112+bdcom/build/make.log for more information.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-44-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/pm-utils 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/update-notifier 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-extlinux 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
P: Checking for EXTLINUX directory... found.
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-32-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-31-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-30-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-29-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-27-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-26-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic...
P: Writing config for /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic...
P: Updating /boot/extlinux/linux.cfg...
P: Installing debian theme... done.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub 2.6.32-44-generic /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-44-generic
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-17-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-32-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-32-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-31-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-31-generic...

[André d. (andrera3)]

It seems that I copied and pasted too much from the terminal window. Please ignore the last 8 lines of the above post.

[itsjustarumour (itsjustarumour-gmail-deactivatedaccount-deactivatedaccount)]

I'm seeing the same problem on my laptop (Acer Aspire 5749 Core I-3 4GB RAM 500GB HDD) with Ubuntu Precise 12.04 (64bit).

# lspci | grep -i ethernet

ian@LAPTOP:~$ lspci | grep -i ethernet
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR8152 v2.0 Fast Ethernet (rev c1)
ian@LAPTOP:~$

# uname -r

ian@LAPTOP:~$ uname -r
3.2.0-32-generic
ian@LAPTOP:~$

Strangely, when I *do* have a wireless network connection, the system tray icon shows the icon for a "Wired" connection and not a "Wireless" connection.

[itsjustarumour (itsjustarumour-gmail-deactivatedaccount-deactivatedaccount)]

Sorry, please ignore my comments in #31, posted on wrong bug report.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

André d., 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 kernel in the mainline kernels archive directory daily folder. 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-v3.8-rc1

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

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, please comment as to why specifically you were unable to test it and add the following tags:
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

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.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

[André d. (andrera3)]

I apologize for not updating this in a while, but life has been quite busy lately. The bug is no longer an issue, as of Kernel 3.5.0-21

I marked the bug as "fix-released." I hope that's the correct tag.