Ubuntu
linux package

168c:002b Atheros AR9285 Wireless on Ubuntu 12.10 is slow, unstable and has a weak signal.

Bug #1156346 reported by Szabolcs SZŐKE on 2013-03-17

This bug affects 2 people

Affects		Status	Importance	Assigned to	Milestone
	linux (Ubuntu)	Expired	Medium	Unassigned

Bug Description

There is 3 room in my flat:
room0: here is my AP
room1: there is one wall between room0 and room1
room2: there is two wall between room0 and room2

If i use my new Lenovo G580 (Atheros 9285) with Windows 8 or my old notebook (HP NX6310 (Broadcom wifi) with Kubuntu 8.04 ) the signal is stable in every room.

If i use my new Lenovo G580 with Ubuntu 12.10:
room0: no problem good signal
room1: poor signal, signal lost very frequantly
room2: no signal

I probe the kernel from http://ppa.launchpad.net/canonical-kernel-team/ppa/ubuntu too. But the problem still exist.

# env COLUMNS=230 dpkg -l | grep 3.5.0-26|grep -v headers|grep -v libc|cut -b -92
ii linux-backports-modules-cw-3.6-3.5.0-26-generic 3.5.0-26.12 amd64
ii linux-image-3.5.0-26-generic 3.5.0-26.42 amd64
ii linux-image-extra-3.5.0-26-generic 3.5.0-26.42 amd64

WORKAROUND: Be in the same room as the access point.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: linux-image-3.5.0-25-generic 3.5.0-25.39
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-25.39-generic 3.5.7.4
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-25-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu10
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
/dev/snd/controlC0: sunfire 1953 F.... pulseaudio
Date: Sun Mar 17 21:16:47 2013
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=08735d5d-dd74-4e7c-bd32-9f874f6d201c
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-02-14 (31 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.2)
MachineType: LENOVO 20157
MarkForUpload: True
ProcEnviron:
TERM=xterm
PATH=(custom, no user)
XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
LANG=hu_HU.UTF-8
SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-25-generic root=UUID=7af14e9e-cc8c-4338-9969-8854e92502e1 ro acpi_backlight=vendor quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-25-generic N/A
linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-25-generic N/A
linux-firmware 1.95
RfKill:
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 09/06/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: 62CN90WW
dmi.board.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Lenovo G580
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: 31900003WIN8 STD MLT
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Lenovo G580
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr62CN90WW:bd09/06/2012:svnLENOVO:pn20157:pvrLenovoG580:rvnLENOVO:rnLenovoG580:rvr31900003WIN8STDMLT:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrLenovoG580:
dmi.product.name: 20157
dmi.product.version: Lenovo G580
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

See original description

Tags:

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-03-17:

AlsaInfo.txt Edit (23.3 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
BootDmesg.txt Edit (63.2 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
CRDA.txt Edit (257 bytes, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
CurrentDmesg.txt Edit (5.3 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
Dependencies.txt Edit (2.6 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
IwConfig.txt Edit (251 bytes, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
Lspci.txt Edit (9.2 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
Lsusb.txt Edit (537 bytes, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
ProcCpuinfo.txt Edit (3.5 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
ProcInterrupts.txt Edit (2.1 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
ProcModules.txt Edit (3.1 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
PulseList.txt Edit (16.0 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
UdevDb.txt Edit (146.7 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
UdevLog.txt Edit (333.8 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")
WifiSyslog.txt Edit (285.9 KiB, text/plain; charset="utf-8")

Revision history for this message

Brad Figg (brad-figg) wrote on 2013-03-17: Status changed to Confirmed

This change was made by a bot.

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status:	New → Confirmed

Revision history for this message

Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury) wrote on 2013-03-18: Re: Atheros AR9285 Wireless on Ubuntu 12.10 is slow, unstable and has a weak signal.

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.9 kernel[0] (Not a kernel in the daily directory) and install both the linux-image and linux-image-extra .deb packages.

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/v3.9-rc3-raring/

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
importance:	Undecided → Medium
status:	Confirmed → Incomplete

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) on 2013-03-19

tags:

added: kernel-bug-exists-upstream

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-03-19:

I have made some tests with my notebooks. (My AP SSID name is WIZLAN).
I did scan for SSIDs of the nearest APs in every room (r0,r1,r2) (20 times 5 seconds pause between scans, same positions in the rooms). Then i count the unique SSID names and i have got this result:

There was 4 test case:
hp (old HP notebook with Broadcom Wifi and Kubuntu 8.04)

win8 (new Lenovo notebook with Atheros 9285 and Windows 8)

ath9k_v3_5_0_25 (Lenovo Ubuntu 12.10 with base kernel: 3.5.0-25-generic #39-Ubuntu SMP Mon Feb 25 18:26:58 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux)

ath9k_v3_9_0_030900rc3 (Lenovo Ubunutu 12.10 with lastest upstream kernel: 3.9.0-030900rc3-generic #201303171935 SMP Sun Mar 17 23:36:17 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux)

r0 r1 r2
hp 19 13 17
win8 23 19 29
ath9k_v3_5_0_25 14 12 4
ath9k_v3_9_0_030900rc3 13 8 5

(My AP SSID name is WIZLAN. In windows my AP avereage signal strengths was room0: 100% , room1: 92% , room2: 54%.)

I upload every file (scan data,scripts, ...) there:
http://gaia.cc.u-szeged.hu/~szoke/atheros_9285/

The lastest upstream kernel (v3.9) is same or worst than the Ubuntu base kernel (v3.5)

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) on 2013-03-19

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status:	Incomplete → Confirmed

Revision history for this message

Fabrício Pereira (fabriciorsf) wrote on 2013-05-21:

Revision history for this message

penalvch (penalvch) wrote on 2013-05-21:

Szabolcs SZŐKE, could you please confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO 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>

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 kernel in the mainline kernels archive directory 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-v3.10-rc2

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.

summary:	- Atheros AR9285 Wireless on Ubuntu 12.10 is slow, unstable and has a weak - signal. + 168c:002b Atheros AR9285 Wireless on Ubuntu 12.10 is slow, unstable and + has a weak signal.
tags:	added: needs-upstream-testing
tags:	added: latest-bios-62cn90ww
tags:	added: kernel-bug-exists-upstream-v3.9-rc3 removed: kernel-bug-exists-upstream
Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status:	Confirmed → Incomplete

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-05-23:

Hi!

1. I test with the lastest development release of Ubuntu, but the booting was failed with mounting error.
I have got a rescue CLI. I could browse the dvd folders, ...
Later i will try another daily image with another rewriteable DVD.

$ md5sum saucy-desktop-amd64.iso
bb3b3aa51b2be4ea78ad96737b66a81e saucy-desktop-amd64.iso

ls
827326464 May 23 22:17 saucy-desktop-amd64.iso

2. I test with the lastest mainline kernel, but the bug is still exists.

$ uname -a
Linux nystul 3.10.0-031000rc2-generic #201305201835 SMP Mon May 20 22:36:26 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ md5sum linux-*
bd60aed377a6dd96e47db69ae75865d1 linux-headers-3.10.0-031000rc2-generic_3.10.0-031000rc2.201305201835_amd64.deb
1adb48792cbd7f3d2c15a3e93c60f552 linux-headers-3.10.0-031000rc2_3.10.0-031000rc2.201305201835_all.deb
6517d4d097fbe2052f5feb49f3351869 linux-image-3.10.0-031000rc2-generic_3.10.0-031000rc2.201305201835_amd64.deb

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status:	Incomplete → Confirmed

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) on 2013-05-23

tags:

added: kernel-bug-exists-upstream kernel-bug-exists-upstream-v3.10.0-031000rc2
removed: needs-upstream-testing

Revision history for this message

penalvch (penalvch) wrote on 2013-05-24:

Szabolcs SZŐKE, thank you for performing the requested actions. Did this problem not occur in a release prior to Quantal?

tags:	removed: kernel-bug-exists-upstream-v3.9-rc3
tags:	added: kernel-bug-exists-upstream-v3.10-rc2 removed: kernel-bug-exists-upstream-v3.10.0-031000rc2
tags:	added: regression-potential

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-05-24:

I bought this laptop at 2013 february. I install Quantal on it, so i didn't probe older Ubuntu releases. But i think this problem is also effected the older release(s):

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/947697

"Atheros AR9285 Wireless on Ubuntu 12.04 is slow, unstable and has a weak signal. "

"In Windows 7 the signal is excellent, stable and strong. I use the netbook for every home, but in Ubuntu you can only connect a few meters away.
..."

Revision history for this message

penalvch (penalvch) wrote on 2013-05-25:

#10

Szabolcs SZŐKE, thank you for providing the requested information.

For regression testing purposes, could you please test for this in a Lucid live environment via http://releases.ubuntu.com/lucid/ ?

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status:	Confirmed → Incomplete

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-05-27:

#11

I maid a test with lucid. The problem also exits.

( I must create USB pendrive to boot linux. I use LinuxLive USB Creator. )

I created a pendrive from lucid ISO file and maid a test with lucid. The problem also exits.

After this i created a pendrive from saucy, but i have got mount error durining boot.

I want to try to install raring to a pendrive, and i will upgrade it to saucy.

Revision history for this message

penalvch (penalvch) wrote on 2013-05-27:

#12

Szabolcs SZŐKE, thank you for testing Lucid. Could you please provide the information noted in https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LinuxWireless#Debugging_information_to_provide_in_your_bug_report ?

tags:

added: lucid
removed: regression-potential

Revision history for this message

Szabolcs SZŐKE (sunfirehu) wrote on 2013-05-30:

#13

Download full text (3.5 KiB)

1. Lenovo G580 (20157)

2. There is no BIOS update to this laptop:

"BIOS Update is not required for this product - Lenovo G480 (2688, 20156), G580 (2689, 20157)"

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS035106

3/A.
Model: Cisco EPC3925
Vendor: Cisco
Hardware Revision: 1.0
Bootloader Revision: 2.3.0_R1
Current Software Revision: epc3925-E15-12-v302r125555-130315c-MYR-TEST
Firmware Name: epc3925-E15-12-v302r125555-130315c-MYR-TEST.bin
Firmware Build Time: Mar 15 17:43:18 2013

3/B. 802.11b & 802.11g mixed

3/C. WEP

3/D. I don't use MAC filtering.

3/E. I don't use QoS/WMM.

3/F. Beacon Interval is 100ms.

3/G. I don't use Router Internal Firewall.

3/a. I don't change any parameter, but i you tell me what i could change, then i will probe it.

4. No. I probe it with 4 different wireless device, but only my Lenovo G580 is effected with the problem.

5.
room0: about 1,5 meters
room1: about 4 meters
room2: about 8 meters

6.
room0: no obstructions
room1: a brick wall (about 200 millimeter tight) and a wood cabinet with clothes.
room2: two brick wall (each is about 150 millimeter tight)

6/A. Yes
room0: no problem good signal
room1: poor signal, signal lost very frequantly
room2: no signal

7. Yes. I maid a test in my workplace with a different AP (other vendor).

8. I don't know.
8/B. I probe with Ubuntu 10.04, the problem also exists.

9. Yes the problem still exists.
"I test with the lastest mainline kernel, but the bug is still exists.

$ uname -a
Linux nystul 3.10.0-031000rc2-generic #201305201835 SMP Mon May 20 22:36:26 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

9/B. I already use compat-wireless drivers, because i need it for my wired AR8162 Fast Ethernet NIC (alx module).
The compat-wireless package isn't help to my problem.

$ cat /proc/version
Linux version 3.5.0-31-generic (buildd@allspice) (gcc version 4.7.2 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.7.2-2ubuntu1) ) #52-Ubuntu SMP Thu May 16 16:27:05 UTC 2013

$ env COLUMNS=300 dpkg -l linux-backports\*31\*
ii linux-backports-modules-cw-3.6-3.5.0-31-generic 3.5.0-31.18 amd64 compat-wireless Linux modules for version 3.5.0 on x86/x86_64

10. I could start the ndiswrapper 1.58 with the following Windows XP 64 bit driver, but the problem still exits.
I want to probe with Windows 8 driver, but i found that the ndiswrapper doesn't support it's driver format.

$ md5sum x600_wlan785_x_nb.zip xp/XP_7.7.0.348_20090701/ndis5x64/athwx.sys
233ddde287e72d8e4278b7b0047e92ec x600_wlan785_x_nb.zip
d69df98692064f8cb512a67de26605ae xp/XP_7.7.0.348_20090701/ndis5x64/athwx.sys

$ ndiswrapper -l
netathwx : driver installed
device (168C:002B) present (alternate driver: ath9k)

I found this MSI driver somewhere in the Internet, but i lost the URL, so i put this file to my server:
h...

1. Lenovo G580 (20157)

2. There is no BIOS update to this laptop:

"BIOS Update is not required for this product - Lenovo G480 (2688, 20156), G580 (2689, 20157)"

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS035106

3/A. 
Model: 	Cisco EPC3925
Vendor: 	Cisco
Hardware Revision: 	1.0
Bootloader Revision: 	2.3.0_R1
Current Software Revision: 	epc3925-E15-12-v302r125555-130315c-MYR-TEST
Firmware Name: 	epc3925-E15-12-v302r125555-130315c-MYR-TEST.bin
Firmware Build Time: 	Mar 15 17:43:18 2013