Conflict between acer-wmi and brcmsmac kernel modules

[Manuel Muradás]

I own a Lenovo Ideapad v360 laptop with a Broadcom BCM4313 wireless network adapter. Jockey has installed "bcmwl-kernel-source" package in order to be able to use the wireless adapter, but it doesn't work anyway.

Note: the original problem was reported against module 'wl'. Now the problem occurs with module 'brcmsmac'. See comment #5.
(Maybe the problem is not related with the module used by the device, but with the device itself?).

Some information:
''cat /proc/version_signature''
{{{
Ubuntu 3.0.0-10.16-generic 3.0.4
}}}

''lspci -vvnn | grep BCM4313''
{{{
05:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4727] (rev 01)
}}}

''cat /etc/log/syslog'' after turning on the wireless network adapter "hardware switch" and pressing the keyboard wireless switch (I have to hit it twice sometimes):
{{{
# module enabled
Sep 9 04:35:07 ubuntu kernel: [ 285.868820] lib80211: common routines for IEEE802.11 drivers
Sep 9 04:35:07 ubuntu kernel: [ 285.868824] lib80211_crypt: registered algorithm 'NULL'
Sep 9 04:35:07 ubuntu kernel: [ 285.871118] wl: module license 'MIXED/Proprietary' taints kernel.
Sep 9 04:35:07 ubuntu kernel: [ 285.871124] Disabling lock debugging due to kernel taint
# desktop wireless key first press
Sep 9 04:36:40 ubuntu kernel: [ 379.019328] atkbd serio0: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0x8e on isa0060/serio0).
Sep 9 04:36:40 ubuntu kernel: [ 379.019336] atkbd serio0: Use 'setkeycodes e00e <keycode>' to make it known.
Sep 9 04:36:40 ubuntu kernel: [ 379.029296] atkbd serio0: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0x8e on isa0060/serio0).
Sep 9 04:36:40 ubuntu kernel: [ 379.029306] atkbd serio0: Use 'setkeycodes e00e <keycode>' to make it known.
# desktop wireless key second press
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.019960] atkbd serio0: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0x8e on isa0060/serio0).
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.019971] atkbd serio0: Use 'setkeycodes e00e <keycode>' to make it known.
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <info> WiFi now enabled by radio killswitch
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <info> (wlan0): bringing up device.
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023639] ieee80211 phy0: wl_ops_config: change monitor mode: false (implement)
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023648] ieee80211 phy0: wl_ops_config: change power-save mode: false (implement)
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023668] ieee80211 phy0: wl0: wlc_wme_setparams : no-clock
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023674] ieee80211 phy0: wl0: wlc_wme_setparams : no-clock
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023679] ieee80211 phy0: wl0: wlc_wme_setparams : no-clock
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023684] ieee80211 phy0: wl0: wlc_wme_setparams : no-clock
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.023689] ieee80211 phy0: wl_ops_bss_info_changed: qos enabled: false (implement)
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.024096] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu dbus[1349]: [system] Activating service name='fi.w1.wpa_supplicant1' (using servicehelper)
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.028924] atkbd serio0: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0x8e on isa0060/serio0).
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu kernel: [ 387.028932] atkbd serio0: Use 'setkeycodes e00e <keycode>' to make it known.
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu dbus[1349]: [system] Successfully activated service 'fi.w1.wpa_supplicant1'
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <info> wpa_supplicant started
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu wpa_supplicant[5030]: Could not set interface wlan0 flags: Operation not possible due to RF-kill
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu wpa_supplicant[5030]: Could not set interface 'wlan0' UP
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu wpa_supplicant[5030]: Could not set interface wlan0 flags: Operation not possible due to RF-kill
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu wpa_supplicant[5030]: Failed to initialize driver interface
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <error> [1315543008.943018] [nm-supplicant-interface.c:570] interface_add_cb(): (wlan0): error adding interface: wpa_supplicant couldn't grab this interface.
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: dbus_g_proxy_cancel_call: assertion `pending != NULL' failed
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: starting -> down
Sep 9 04:36:48 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <warn> Trying to remove a non-existant call id.
Sep 9 04:36:49 ubuntu NetworkManager[1704]: <info> WiFi now disabled by radio killswitch
}}}

''rfkill list all''
{{{
0: acer-wireless: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: yes
    Hard blocked: no
1: ideapad_wlan: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: no
2: ideapad_bluetooth: Bluetooth
    Soft blocked: yes
    Hard blocked: no
3: phy0: Wireless LAN
 Soft blocked: no
 Hard blocked: yes
}}}

NetworkManager applet displays "wireless not ready".

What caught my attention in that last command is the ''acer-wireless'' entry. Searching on Google I found that blacklisting the ''acer-wmi'' module works around the issue, and the wireless adapter started working. Another workaround is to add a parameter to the ''acer-wmi'' module:
(from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1832771)
{{{
echo "options acer_wmi wireless=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/acer_wmi.conf
}}}

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10
Package: linux-image-3.0.0-10-generic 3.0.0-10.16
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.0.0-10.16-generic 3.0.4
Uname: Linux 3.0.0-10-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
ApportVersion: 1.22.1-0ubuntu2
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272 Analog [ALC272 Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: samael 1660 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xf0800000 irq 42'
   Mixer name : 'Intel IbexPeak HDMI'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0272,17aa600e,00100001 HDA:80862804,80860101,00100000'
   Controls : 21
   Simple ctrls : 11
Date: Sat Sep 10 20:34:43 2011
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Beta amd64 (20110905)
MachineType: LENOVO 091197Y
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-10-generic root=UUID=fbe772ab-57ac-48b0-b63d-d42667fc2400 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.0.0-10-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.0.0-10-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.60
SourcePackage: linux
StagingDrivers: brcmutil mei brcmsmac
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 05/07/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: 2DCN16WW
dmi.board.asset.tag: Tag 12345
dmi.board.name: MoutCook
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: Not Applicable
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: N/A
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr2DCN16WW:bd05/07/2010:svnLENOVO:pn091197Y:pvrLenovoV360:rvnLENOVO:rnMoutCook:rvrNotApplicable:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrN/A:
dmi.product.name: 091197Y
dmi.product.version: Lenovo V360
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Manuel Muradás (dieresys)]

Sorry for the Trac formatting =)

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

Thank you for taking the time to file a bug report on this issue.

However, given the number of bugs that the Kernel Team receives during any development cycle it is impossible for us to review them all. Therefore, we occasionally resort to using automated bots to request further testing. This is such a request.

We have noted that there is a newer version of the development kernel currently in the release pocket than the one you tested when this issue was found. Please test again with the newer kernel and indicate in the bug if this issue still exists or not.

If the bug still exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Confirmed. If the bug no longer exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Fix Released.

Thank you for your help.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

Thank you for taking the time to file a bug report on this issue.

However, given the number of bugs that the Kernel Team receives during any development cycle it is impossible for us to review them all. Therefore, we occasionally resort to using automated bots to request further testing. This is such a request.

We have noted that there is a newer version of the development kernel than the one you last tested when this issue was found. Please test again with the newer kernel and indicate in the bug if this issue still exists or not.

If the bug still exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Confirmed. If the bug no longer exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Fix Released.

Thank you for your help, we really do appreciate it.

[Manuel Muradás (dieresys)]

I've reinstalled Oneiric and now the driver used to manage the device is 'brcmsmac'.
I'm not sure if this is caused by a change in the latest kernel or if my original Oneiric installation (pre-beta) has a different setup.

However the problem is still the same:
- No wifi connection by default
- An 'acer-wireless' device is listed by 'rfkill -list'
- Blacklisting 'acer-wmi' module works around the problem

I'm changing the title to reflect this update.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

Thank you for taking the time to file a bug report on this issue.

However, given the number of bugs that the Kernel Team receives during any development cycle it is impossible for us to review them all. Therefore, we occasionally resort to using automated bots to request further testing. This is such a request.

We have noted that there is a newer version of the development kernel than the one you last tested when this issue was found. Please test again with the newer kernel and indicate in the bug if this issue still exists or not.

If the bug still exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Confirmed. If the bug no longer exists, change the bug status from Incomplete to Fix Released.

Thank you for your help, we really do appreciate it.

[Manfred Wilhelm (mwsun)]

I have had the same problem on my PackardBell dot a netbook. Unloading acer_wmi also solves the problem.
I also tried to load acer_wmi wireless=1 but it fails with "unknown parameter" ??????

laptop:~$ sudo modprobe -v acer_wmi wireless=1
insmod /lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic/kernel/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.ko wireless=1
FATAL: Error inserting acer_wmi (/lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic/kernel/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

laptop:~$ dmesg

.
.
[ 1887.539570] wmi: Mapper loaded
[ 1887.544982] acer_wmi: Unknown parameter `wireless'

laptop:~$ uname -a
Linux laptop 3.0.0-12-generic #20-Ubuntu SMP Fri Oct 7 14:50:42 UTC 2011 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

laptop:~$ modinfo acer_wmi
filename: /lib/modules/3.0.0-12-generic/kernel/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.ko
alias: wmi:676AA15E-6A47-4D9F-A2CC-1E6D18D14026
alias: wmi:6AF4F258-B401-42FD-BE91-3D4AC2D7C0D3
alias: wmi:67C3371D-95A3-4C37-BB61-DD47B491DAAB
license: GPL
description: Acer Laptop WMI Extras Driver
author: Carlos Corbacho
srcversion: B4800EB97ECD63B5D20E3D5
depends: sparse-keymap,wmi
vermagic: 3.0.0-12-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 686
parm: mailled:Set initial state of Mail LED (int)
parm: brightness:Set initial LCD backlight brightness (int)
parm: threeg:Set initial state of 3G hardware (int)
parm: force_series:Force a different laptop series (int)
parm: ec_raw_mode:Enable EC raw mode (bool)

[Manuel Muradás (dieresys)]

Re-confirmed after reinstalling the Oneiric's final version.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manfred Wilhelm (mwsun):
Currently I'm using the blacklisting approach. I haven't tested the "options acer_wmi wireless=1" approach in the latest versions.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . If possible, please test the latest kernel (Not a kernel in the daily directory). Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag(Only that one tag, please leave the others). 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 by the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream-KERNEL-VERSION'. For example, if kernel version 3.1-rc9 fixed and issue, the tag would be: 'kernel-fixed-upstream-v3.1-rc9'.

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

Thanks in advance.

[Ike Panhc (ikepanhc)]

Hi,

I have a patch and hope it could solve most of the acer-wmi rfkill mistake issue.

Could you help me testing the patch? I've built the a dkms package and put it at

  http://people.canonical.com/~ikepanhc/lp/826784-6/

To install the dkms deb, just use the command `sudo dpkg -i test-dkms_1_all.deb` and please blacklist acer-wmi
Please remember to reboot after installation.

To uninstall the dkms deb, please use the command `sudo dpkg -r test-dkms`

Please attach the output of `rfkill list` and `dmesg`

Ref: http://<email address hidden>/msg02859.html
     http://<email address hidden>/msg02860.html

Thanks a lot.

[Ike Panhc (ikepanhc)]

The fix[1] has been merged into precise kernel.

[1] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/git?p=ubuntu/ubuntu-precise.git;a=commitdiff;h=13faef3e679243aec5c1e308eba1c70c6c72d055