[Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently

[gdfs gsg dfs]

I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11

The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.

It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.

If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.

[Faeq (faeq)]

it also happens to me, with all updates installed till today,
wireless disconnects and reconnects every 5-10 minutes.

[8200 (8200)]

I can exactly confirm this bug using jaunty beta.

My notebook (acer aspire 5610) stands only 3 meters away from the accesspoint. So the signal is just perfect.
But I have tested it now far a few times: average after 465 seconds I loose connection (minimum 70 s, maxmimum 900 s).

When the connection is down the network-manager icon displays still "connected to...".

Reconnecting is possible but it really sucks.

md5sum of the jaunty cd-image I am using: 03b63dada5e5fce0119a52d822e406a1

uname -r: 2.6.28-11-generic

[Michaël Vanderheeren (michael-vanderheeren)]

I got the same problem and already tried with installing the backports. This is really annoying.
This is the part in DMESG where you can find the problem. I added the complete DMESG file.

[ 573.852451] wlan0 direct probe responded
[ 573.852457] wlan0: authenticate with AP f61e96b8
[ 573.854725] wlan0: authenticated
[ 573.854729] wlan0: associate with AP f61e96b8
[ 573.857495] wlan0: RX ReassocResp from f3446026 (capab=0x471 status=0 aid=1)
[ 573.857500] wlan0: associated
[ 633.859573] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f61e96b8 - sending probe request
[ 713.836948] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f61e96b8 - sending probe request
[ 813.885661] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f61e96b8 - sending probe request
[ 933.902736] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f61e96b8 - sending probe request

[8200 (8200)]

Yesterday I installed 9.04 but the bug is still there....

[LilaLux (gerald-klotz-home)]

I can confirm on my HP NC6400 the error remains on 9.04.

After manual reloading the module iwl3945 several times (hardware scan is already disabled by display_hw_scan=1), the connections is no more disconnecting frequently. But this step has to be repeated on each restart otherwise the wireless disconnects frequently.

[Lian (lian.hui.lui)]

I can confirm this on Jaunty fresh install.

[Lian (lian.hui.lui)]

LilaLux, how did you work around this? I've tried reloading the module, but don't know how to disable hardware scan. The problem still persists.

[Chris (chrisspelberg)]

Confirmed on MacBook 1,1 after upgrade to Jaunty (from Intrepid)

[LilaLux (gerald-klotz-home)]

Lian; add the following line

options iwl3945 disable_hw_scan=1

in „/etc/modprobe.conf“. Create „/etc/modprobe.conf“, if it does not exists.

[Faeq (faeq)]

i tryed using wicd instead of nm, and it worked fine, not that i'm saying this is a solution, but it would be a temperary
workaround for people who need to stay online.

[8200 (8200)]

So now I have tried using wicd instead but it still looses connection.

When I remove the iwl3945 modul ("sudo rmmod iwl3945") the kernel panics instantly.

Where can I disable the iwl3945 modul permanently?
I have added the line "blacklist iwl3945" to the file /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf but it doesn't effect anything.

:-(

[apratsunrthd (apratsunrthd)]

Exact same issue here. I tried LilaLux's suggestion and it did nothing.

[Lian (lian.hui.lui)]

Would installing an older version of Network Manager fix this? I tried to install from .deb but I had to close nm first, then there was unmet dependencies. :(

[Brent Lintner (brent-lintner)]

I can confirm this as well.

Friends laptop (Inspiron 6400 running Inter PRO/Wireless 3945ABG card). At first the card would connect yet frequently disconnect requiring a NM restart (I initially figured it was just the singular router) but as well it happens on my router now. This is a important bug even if its for a couple of people, its really restrictive in Jaunty. :)

[Brent Lintner (brent-lintner)]

Apologies, but I forgot to add that WICD is working as well for me as heartwarmer confirmed. I will repost if WICD proves to be spotty like network-manager.

[Kuma (bjorn-herrstrom)]

I got the same problem with Inter PRO/Wireless 3945 AG or AGN card on a znote 3415 laptop.
Use encrypted wireless on wap level. Can see that the connection is still on after disconnect with the command; IWconfig in terminal. But there is no access to local or internet.
Tested with WICD, same problem and moved back to Network manager. Still problem persist and re installation wont work ether.

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

I can confirm this bug. On intrepid, wireless was working perfectly. I could work around it by turning on and off "flight mode" on my laptop, which restarted the wireless connections.

On my system, "sudo apt-get install wicd" fixed the issue. Let me know if you would like me to run any specific commands for debug output.

[Felipe Castillo (fcastillo.ec)]

I have the same problem, and installed WICD and the problem persists. This is a really annoying bug, I can't download stuff from a torrent or big files, because after a while I lose the internet, and have to disconnect and then re-connect to the network. It works sometimes for 20min, sometimes for 1min, it's really annoying....

[Jeroen Bos (jeroenb)]

My problem was solved when I set the AP security to WPA2 only and not WPA + WPA2, I have a netgear AP and the NIC is a 4965ABGN. Netgear site:

RECOMENDED - Please use “WPA2-ONLY security” instead of “WPA+WPA2 mix mode” on GUI router setting. This will prevent that the client from using incorrect WPA (TKIP) packet transmission error; the fail will trigger router 802.11 function - MIC failure. So, it can be fixed if you just select WPA2-only and has better security mode.

[Chris (chrisspelberg)]

Setting my Airport Express to use WPA2 only does not solve the problem unfortunately.. :-(

[GD (g-d-monnezza)]

Same unstable behavior here. Fresh install of Ubuntu 9.04 and updated system.
The wireless network is not protected (no WPA or WPE, nothing).
With Ubuntu 8.04 everithing worked fine but with 9.04 it is very difficult to get connected.
After many (~20) trials of wirleless connections aborted, the system, sometimes, get connected but for few seconds. Then everything starts again (20 trials, then connected for few seconds)
Sometimes, I can get connected for longer time without device deactivation (see logs), but with continuous associaton and disconnection steps)
I tried another NIC (Broadcom 4306 with restricted drivers) and it is worst :(

Here some details:

Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05)
 Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 2701
 Control: I/O- Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV+ VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx-
 Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B+ ParErr- DEVSEL=medium >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
 Latency: 64 (750ns min, 6000ns max), Cache Line Size: 32 bytes
 Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 19
 Region 0: Memory at ffcfe000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2
  Flags: PMEClk- DSI+ D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0+,D1-,D2-,D3hot+,D3cold+)
  Status: D0 PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=1 PME-
 Kernel driver in use: ipw2200
 Kernel modules: ipw2200

tail /var/log/syslog
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) starting connection 'Auto Default'
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> (eth1): device state change: 3 -> 4
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> (eth1): device state change: 4 -> 5
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1/wireless): connection 'Auto Default' requires no security. No secrets needed.
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Config: added 'ssid' value 'Default'
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'NONE'
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Activation (eth1) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> Config: set interface ap_scan to 1
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> (eth1): supplicant connection state: disconnected -> scanning
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> (eth1): supplicant connection state: scanning -> associating
May 17 14:45:51 VirteX NetworkManager: <info> (eth1): supplicant connection state: associating -> disconnected
May 17 14:45:56 VirteX NetworkMa...

[Tommy (sulistomo)]

Hi all,

I have Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] and using Dell Latitude D610, also having similar problem. The wireless connection always reconnecting every 3-5minutes.

I am quite new to Ubuntu, but when i'm using Hardi, i never meet this kind of problem.

Help... (!_!)

[Tommy (sulistomo)]

I dunno if the following information can help or not:

03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05)
 Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 2722
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
 Memory at dfbff000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: ipw2200
 Kernel modules: ipw2200

i got those by running 'lspci -v' from the terminal.

or is there any other way to help u guys to solve this issue?

[Tommy (sulistomo)]

03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05)
 Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device 2722
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
 Memory at dfbff000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2
 Kernel driver in use: ipw2200
 Kernel modules: ipw2200

just did it again with 'sudo lspci -v'

[Kuma (bjorn-herrstrom)]

May be solved in update. A correction on my last post, I have a intel 4965 ag or agn card with ubuntu 9.04.

I did a update with restricted drivers and program restricted by copyright in; Software Sources manager for ubuntu 9.04.
It updated compiz and got what I think is a core update for linux, now my Internet connection has been stable for over 5 hours. Can some one with more knowledge than me confirm this as an solution?
Ill report if the 4965 ag or agn card stops to respond again.

[Kuma (bjorn-herrstrom)]

Update did not solve problem with frequent disconnect. But I notice that if my neighbor starts his wireless, I get a disconnect. Strength on signal is then 5% on "alien" network at max, and 65% on mine. But that is just a speculation. Could it be a problem with networks on the same radio length messes with the wireless drivers for ubuntu 9.04.

[Pierpaolo Follia (pfollia)]

Wait: I have a similar problem here. I have two laptop, an Apple MacBook (using Leopard) and my ibm using Jaunty. When I turn on the macbook, my laptop get disconnected from my wireless network. This problem doesn't happen during week ends (don't laugh): I think this is because the are few wireless network turned on around me.
So, Kuma, maybe your speculations are right.

[Michaël Vanderheeren (michael-vanderheeren)]

I could come into the previous comments. At home I never had a problem, when at my student dorm I frequently lose the connection except when almost no other networks are available...

[Chris (chrisspelberg)]

Hmm I have about 12 networks visible here and have the disconnect problem.

[nat (n-miotti)]

well well well. I've a lot of networks visible here too. I thought that was a problem similar to bug 190144 ("Wireless connection lost during heavy network load"), but my post there never had any answers...

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

I've got a 4965 (Dell D830, 9.04) and a Linksys WRT610N. With it, I set up both 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks. My machine doesn't stay much longer connected. The 5 GHz network should save me from interference, but I keep jumping from one to another, to no avail. The simplest test is to transfer a large file, which will inevitably cause network hangs. Network manager sometimes recovers itself after a while, but at other times I have to progressively resort to reselecting either of the networks, disabling/enabling wireless, disabling/enabling networking and sometimes only a reboot will do it. I found that keeping a shell pinging the wireless router (or any other address) helps somewhat, stretching the up times. Mind you that I mostly use NFS inside my network, but not only.

This is a fresh install from yesterday, since the upgrade from 8.10 to 9.04 was presenting so many problems on key issues (wireless, suspend, kernel panics that I never had before since 2000 on various linuxen).

An interesting info is that I had this wireless problem on 8.04, gone with 8.10 and now back on 9.04. I don't recall precisely the timing, but I guess it more or less matches upgrades/reinstalls of Ubuntu versions.

[ignacio (rozada-math)]

Same here with a 4965 AGN card on a T61P thinkpad. Happens both at the office and at home; at home I share the pain with the landlady, although she has an intel IMac (probably similar chip). Has happened at least since Intrepid, and definitely all the time in Jaunty.

[Stancu Florin (niflostancu)]

I get it too...
I have Intel 3945ABG chip:
10:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)

When I try to transfer large amounts of data with high speed (about a minute with 2.5 MB/s rate), the connection drops... I get beacon loss messages on dmesg:
[ 7909.278766] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f660c6b8 - sending probe request
[ 8029.390298] wlan0: beacon loss from AP f660c6b8 - sending probe request
[ 8118.097743] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Microcode SW error detected. Restarting 0x82000008.
[ 8118.097767] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error Reply type 0x00000005 cmd REPLY_TX (0x1C) seq 0x024C ser 0x004E0000

After that, you have to reconnect.

The only solution I have found so far is to limit the bandwidth to 200 KB/s (setting the router to B, getting away from the router), but you will have limited speed.
I tried live CD, reinstalling, updates, backports, latest microcode, changing router to no encryption/WEP/WPA2... problem still there.
Works on earlier Ubuntu versions (intreprid, hardy).

I have a Linksys WRT160N v2 router. I don't know if it depends on the router, but I only noticed the problem when I bought it. Before, I had a Dlink DI-524 and I was using jaunty for over a month without any problems, but I can't verify it, a lightning killed it.

I hope the problem will be discovered and fixed soon, it is very annoying...

[Pierpaolo Follia (pfollia)]

Uhm, it *seems* that with kernel 2.6.30 the problem is gone...not sure if the problem is solved, but now my connection is more stable (no disconnect since 2.6.30 installation).

[kit (kitrule)]

I built 2.6.30 r8 from source and it didn't help at all. Although, my problem with the Intel 3945 on Jaunty is that it never even connected to the WPA2 secured hidden wireless network in the first place... Windows 7 (build 7100) can connect fine, as could Hardy, can't remember whether Ibex/Intrepid could but I guess not judging from how I've left Windows running solely on the laptop for the last 6 months.

Pierpaolo: did you use the standard jaunty kernel with oldconfig? that's what I did.

This is the list of things I've tried so far in the order I tried them:
Backported modules=fail
Latest iwl3945 microcodes=fail
Wicd=fail
Ubuntu proposed kernel 2.6.28-13=failed beause not all packages were in the repos
kernel.org 2.6.30 r8 with oldconfig from standard jaunty 2.6.28-11 kernel=fail
Ubuntu proposed kernel 2.6.28-13=fail

Going to reinstall Jaunty again and try updating again. Won't bother compiling the 2.6.30 kernel again unless i see a fix somewhere in the changelog tho.

[Michaël Vanderheeren (michael-vanderheeren)]

You are clearly stating a different problem. People here can connect
but lose the connection. As for now the "best" information gained is
that it possibly has something to do with the use frequency and the
networks in your neighbourhood that are desturbing it. If you can't
connect in the first place you should start a different bug report.

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

If you read the details of my previous post, interference is definitely not the problem (this happens with both 2.4 and lone 5GHz networks).

The one thing that made me able to use wireless was a hint a caught somewhere else:

iwconfig wlan0 power on

It didn't get rid of the problem, but now I can use the network, even with several GB file transfers. Letting a ping to a wired destination running also helps..

[fari81 (fmmirzaei)]

I also have the same problem.

I have a Vaio SR220 with Intel Corp. Wireless WiFi Link 5100. I have a Netgear Wireless Router (WGR 614). I get the beacon loss almost every two minutes which results in momentary loss of internet connection. Sometimes (less frequently) the connection loses the authentication and takes longer to connect again. Below is part of kernel.log that reflect both these two problems:

Jun 19 11:01:31 sahand kernel: [ 5973.475508] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:03:31 sahand kernel: [ 6093.284471] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:05:31 sahand kernel: [ 6213.192440] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:07:31 sahand kernel: [ 6333.307648] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:11:31 sahand kernel: [ 6573.127904] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:13:31 sahand kernel: [ 6693.652458] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.461206] wlan0: deauthenticated (Reason: 7)
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.472229] wlan0: direct probe to AP ffff88013c824ac0 try 1
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.475870] wlan0 direct probe responded
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.475877] wlan0: authenticate with AP ffff88013c824ac0
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.480398] wlan0: authenticated
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.480403] wlan0: associate with AP ffff88013c824ac0
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.482858] wlan0: RX ReassocResp from ffff8800b4d74016 (capab=0x411 status=0 aid=2)
Jun 19 11:15:31 sahand kernel: [ 6813.482863] wlan0: associated
Jun 19 11:17:31 sahand kernel: [ 6933.060442] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:19:31 sahand kernel: [ 7053.379872] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:21:31 sahand kernel: [ 7173.289288] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request
Jun 19 11:23:31 sahand kernel: [ 7293.096676] wlan0: beacon loss from AP ffff88013c824ac0 - sending probe request

[fari81 (fmmirzaei)]

Forgot to mention:

$ uname -a
Linux sahand 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:58:03 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux

[nandayo (casier)]

personnally, it is worse : no longer any wifi network, I cannot make anything...

see this report : Intel Wireless 3945ABG

[nandayo (casier)]

sorry, copy-paste error : see this report : https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager/+bug/390274

[Joris (deus87)]

Another confirmation for the 4965 AGN card. Connection is frequently lost, even though the network manager states that it is 'connected' to a wireless access point.
Is there any information you need or things I could try which could speed up this debugging process? After all, my laptop with ubuntu Jaunty is quite useless when the wireless connection drops every 2 minutes.

uname -a>
Linux temp 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:58:03 UTC 2009 x86_64GNU/Linux

(clean ubuntu installation, fully updated).

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

I have an Acer Aspire 5610 as above and am having the same problems.

I have tried booting the 2.6.28.11 kernal image and it still hangs and nm needs restarted.

I have blacklisted iwl3945 and installed the windows driver via ndiswrapper. It still does it with this.

I am currently trying wicd/wicd-client to see if it will do the same on here. So far so good. Yet, I would much prefer to use NetworkManager on my installation as that is why my family is used to on our other computers.

Interestingly, I have noticed a symptom I'm not sure others have reported. When it is trying to get connect to the router, it gives me a pause in the animation. It seems it stops doing whatever until I move the mouse. Once I move the mouse, the animations start again. This is very reproducable.

current uname -a
Linux woodnt-laptop 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:57:59 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

wicd and wicd-client broke as well. So it seems to me that since even different network drivers (linux native iwl3945 AND windows drivers via ndiswrapper) AND different network managers (DM and wicd) don't matter to this problem, the problem is upstream to the drivers at a lower level and leads one to blame the kernal. I to had no difficulties on the computer as far back as edgy. It did misbehave a little sporadically in intrepid. I would need to keep a ping running in the background during large file downloads and during updates and noticed the hang-improving-on-mouse-move in intrepid, but it usually didn't require a NM complete restart as it does in jaunty.

Since this completely reduces the ability for us to have mobility with our laptops, I would think that this would qualify as a critical bug. It is worrisome that this has been an issue for 3 months without a resolution as it is critical to a laptops utility/functionality.

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

On my machine, Dell D830 4965, I have:

[ 0.000000] Linux version 2.6.28-13-generic (buildd@yellow) (gcc version 4.3.3 (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5ubuntu4) ) #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 (Ubuntu 2.6.28-13.45-generic)
[103180.006792] iwlagn: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN REV=0x4

and the driver version is:

[103180.006420] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27ks

My Gentoo system on the same machine has:

[ 0.000000] Linux version 2.6.29-gentoo-r5 (root@deuterium) (gcc version 4.1.2 (Gentoo 4.1.2 p1.1)) #4 SMP PREEMPT Mon Jun 1 17:35:18 PDT 2009
[ 12.720433] iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds

And a Fedora 11 system has:

Linux version 2.6.29.4-167.fc11.x86_64 (<email address hidden>) (gcc version 4.4.0 20090506 (Red Hat 4.4.0-4) (GCC) ) #1 SMP Wed May 27 17:27:08 EDT 2009
iwlagn: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link AGN driver for Linux, 1.3.27kds

Wireless works as expected on Gentoo and Fedora, but fails miserably on Ubuntu. To get a more stable connection I change the parameter in /sys and keep a ping to my AP. Also, since I use NFS at the home network, I noticed that it seems much more prone to problems when I copy large files the easy way, i.e. through NFS/TCP. Since recently I started to use rsync to transfer files from a wired machine and the problems are now much less frequent.

Apart from the "kds" (Gentoo, Fedora) vs. "ks" (Ubuntu), the other outstanding difference is the kernel version and patch sets. Gentoo and Fedora are 29, but I previously had 28 on Gentoo and it worked as well. So, I think it has to be something in the Ubuntu kernel patch set... I also recall the previous Ubuntu installation was 8.10, in which wireless worked OK, and after upgrading to 9.04 the flakey behaviour showed back (was originally present on 8.04). The current system is a fresh 9.04 installation though.

It is Ubuntu-related only.

[Henry (hchang858)]

Yet another person here who has had this problem ever since installing Jaunty. Agreed that this should be labelled as "critical", since the very unreliable wireless prevents me from using ubuntu whenever anything important needs to be done or whenever I don't feel like getting really frustrated. I'm using a Thinkpad T61 with 4965 AGN. My friend also has the same problem with Jaunty; he also has a Thinkpad though a different model, and I am not sure what wireless card is in his machine.

[Pierpaolo Follia (pfollia)]

Sorry for my absence here.
I can confirm that using a 2.6.30 kernel from Karmic release I don't have this problem any more.
I used this kernel:

http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/linux/linux-image-2.6.30-10-generic_2.6.30-10.12_i386.deb

browse http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/linux/ for other kernel packages.

This is obviously a workaround.

[J! (joop-olb)]

Facing also this problem, I like to add an observation. Who knows this might help solving the bug.

When downloading from a relatively slow server (i.e. http://mirrors.ibiblio.org/pub/mirrors/openoffice/localized/nl/3.1.0/OOo_3.1.0_LinuxIntel_install_nl_deb.tar.gz - max 160KB/sec at my location) my connection stays in. However, when adding to this a download from a much faster server (i.e. http://download.avg.com/filedir/inst/avg85flx-r287-a2632.i386.deb - 1,2MB/sec), the connections drops soon.

I tried this twice, and the outcome was twice the same.

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

Pierpaolo Follia,

I have a question about using the x.30 kernel. Can this be used as a drop-in replacement in jaunty, or will it break other packages that were compiled against the kernel that is the most recent on in jaunty main (x.28-13 I believe)?

With thanks,
Narnie

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

J!, see previous posts, the problem usually shows up with high transfer speeds over wireless. If your AP is g, 1.2MBps takes approximately half the net available bandwidth, so it's bound to cause the problem.

narnie, I followed the hint about the .30 kernel. I don't recall all the packages that I had to manually install with dpkg, but the only ones apart from the recognizable kernel packages were virtualbox and nvidia modules. Everything else continued to work OK. I'm sorry to tell that the 2.6.30-10 kernel didn't help at all, either with standard /sys parameters or with the "iwconfig wlan0 power on" trick, on both 2.4 and 5.7 GHz APs.

I did notice though an improvement on speed on large file transfers (while the connection is on, of course:-)): from the usual appalling high 2s to low 3s MBps to 4--5 MBps, sometimes also up to 5--6 MBps. Another benefit of the new kernel, as it looks so far, is the robustness of suspend-to-ram. So far the machine (D830 with Nvidia Quadro NVS140) has always woken up from suspend, whereas with the original 9.04 kernel it wouldn't about 30--50% of the attempts. This alone might justify the hassle.

[Pierpaolo Follia (pfollia)]

@narnie: see the orevious comment from Paulo Lício de Geus.

@Paulo Lício de Geus: I'm sorry that the kernel upgrade didn't help you solving this problem. For me and a colleague worked very well.

I still invite to try an upgraded kernel, it might work.

[J! (joop-olb)]

The workaround of kernel upgrade was working for me. Not only with the suggested, but also with kernel 2.6.31-2

[Yope (f-j-stoffels)]

For those of you who are bothered by interference of other networks, why not look within the settings of the WRT160n v2? I enabled the AP Isolation within the Advanced Wireless Settings and since have a rather stable connection over a distance of about 10 mtr.

[Stancu Florin (niflostancu)]

I tried enabling AP Isolation - no solution.
I also tried the 2.6.30 kernel (from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/ ) but it doesn't work either.
The link from Pierpaolo Follia (the .30 kernel from karmic) is broken (404 Not Found). I tried the .31 kernel from there but X freezes at startup (black screen).
I will try later the .31 from mainline to see if that works...

[oskar (oskargibson)]

I too have this problem and have also noticed that the nm animation freezes then continues after the mouse if moved, and is easily reproducable.
this is extremely annoying and should definitely be considered a very critical bug.
I presume it has something to do with the Ubuntu kernel patches.

[Linuster (linuster)]

Confirmed on my laptop too.
With Kubuntu Karmic alpha2 kernel 2.6.31, the 3945 never works.
With Kubuntu Jaunty and kernel 2.6.28, it works for a while and would disconnect and can never reconnect again until reboot.

Can anybody confirm is it kernel issue or Intel driver problem?

I agree this bug should be critical. Many laptop users with 3945 are affected.

[travis.detert (travis-detert)]

What is the deal with all intel drivers just completely sucking these days? If you have intel chipset laptop you are so screwed with any debian at the moment. I'm about to throw this thing out the window. I've used Ubuntu for about 3-4 years solid now, and this recent experience really has been marred by this. I want GUTSY-level stability back. (Sorry for the rant)

But I can confirm that acer aspire 5610 (all intel chipset) is affected by this and I'm lucky if it stays connected long enough to even check for updates. Whoever is responsible for shipping this terrible code should be slapped.

This seriously got so bad I reinstalled Vista, just to make sure it wasn't my hardware. You have no idea how much pain that was.

[networkingnub (jiujitsulinux)]

I had a slow browsing and frequent disconnect issue. I switched to WP2 only. I then also added this earlier:

alias net-pf-10 ipv6 off
alias net-pf-10 off
alias ipv6 off
#alias net-pf-10 ipv6

in sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/aliases.

I changed my MTU to 1452. I added in my ISP's DNS servers in resolv.conf.

Here is an interesting bit of information that is not really presented in a technical manner. I notice that the 4 bars that show wireless connectivity only have 3/4 in blue even though I am 15 feet of the dlink router. The only time I really ever have a problem with disconnects or slow browsing is when it shows up as 4/4 blue bars indicating maximum wifi performance. I also changed my ipv6 to off in the firefox about:config options.

[Zach Dwiel (zdwiel)]

confirmed on my laptop too. It's been happening since 9.04. I am on a Dell Inspiron 1520.

+1 vote for considering bug critical

[Henry (hchang858)]

Agreed... simply because of this bug, I have had to install Windows on my laptop and now use Windows whenever I want to be able to use the wireless... yes I actually am prevented from using Ubuntu because of this one bug. Short of actually frying my hardware, this seems about as critical as bugs can get

[nat (n-miotti)]

yes. I had to install Windows too... and because this problem I'm not using ubuntu any more. It's critical for me.

[bakinbits (bakinbits)]

I'm experiencing the same issues, but unfortunately cannot really add anything that hasn't already been said. Using Lenovo T60 w/3945ABG card connecting to a Check Point Safe@ W500 wireless routing using WPA2.

[satoritsu (satoritsu)]

I am facing this problem too. My HP Pavilion dv7 with Intel Wireless Pro 5100 AGN loses the wireless connection every 5-7 minutes in Jaunty, even if the network manager icon indicates "connected".

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

same problem with a vaio vgn c2s /3945abg card .the problem usually shows up with high transfer speeds over wireless after 5-7min
i m triying to transfert some files on a local NAS via ftp

[poosterl (peter-oosterlynck)]

My configuration looks like this:
* a SMC Barricade 7804WBRA Wifi/ADSL router
* WEP encryption
* Dell D620 notebook with an Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG adapter
* jaunty (2.6.28-15)

... and I have the same problem : regular loss of wifi connection, apparently related to intense traffic.

I've been able to solve this albeit with a compromise.

My modem was configured to operate in mixed IEEE802.11b/IEEE802.11g mode.
After having it altered to IEEE802.11b only mode it all works fine.

This really only appears to be a compromise since I'm using an ADSL connection with a downstream bandwidth of 4Mbps, hence the IEEE802.11b 11Mbps limit doesn't bother me at all.

[specialblend (nickj21)]

I'm using a thinkpad x61 and have they same problem. Don't have much to add, just hoping for a bump to critical

[Pedro Villavicencio (pedro)]

problem seems to be on the driver not in networkmanager.

[akiestudio (akiestudio)]

Hi I have same problem with jaunty 2.6.29 , any ones could solved....
I am new in Linux and I do not have some much idea how to solve?

[kit (kitrule)]

does the issue continue after installing the latest drivers described here:

http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Download#Where_to_download_bleeding_edge ?

[akiestudio (akiestudio)]

Hi kit and thanks . Just installed the lastest drivers and it is works, but , now , when i start ubuntu, I am already conected but I do not have internet untill I reconected ....So everytime I start my laptop I have to disconect(because my internet is not works) and conect againg , after everything works 100% , anyone knows how to solve this issue?
Regards and sorry for my english.

[Jørgen Best (jorgen-voor-werk)]

I can confirm this bug on a Toshiba A110 using Kubuntu Jaunty with a 2.6.28-15-generic kernel.

The driver used is the iwl3945 version 1.2.26ks which loads the lbm-iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode, (standard the code ....-1.ucode is loaded but I used a backport from Ubuntu hoping it would improve the results using a newer driver). The router used is a Linksys WRV200 (firmeware 1.0.39).

Some remarks:
1. changing the channel in the router to minimize interference with other routers improved stability and speed a lot (making it workable).
2. in Windows XP the wireless connection without problems measured speed about 15 Mb/s (when connection is 54 Mb/s) via WPA2 connection. My Internet connection is practically about 28 Mb/s (using a PC with cabled networkconnection). Speedtests all via my provider from internet.
3. in Linux the connection direct near the router is about 12 Mb/s (best, sometimes only about 7 or 8 Mb/s), at a little distance behind a wall the connection speed drops 2,5 - 5 Mb/s while Windows still holds a 12 Mb/s (being connected still at 54 Mb/s). I also noticed a big performance drop (compared to Windows) with other routers on different locations.
4. when downloading a big iso-file via nfs the connection stops after one or a few minutes, sometimes the connection reestablishes and sometimes not. Message in syslog: kernel: wlan0: beacon loss from AP f60516b8 - sending probe request.
5. THE ROUTER REALLY GETS IN TROUBLE: when the connection between the router and laptop is broken sometimes also the connection between the router and PC (with a cable) is broken (a while or permanent). Sometimes the router has to be reseted by switching it on and off. This never occurs in Windows.
6. In the past (before Jaunty or even Hardy?) things worked in earlier versions well (or only had minor problems which I did not notice).

My suggestions:
1. I think, as others do, this is a driver problem, I think something quite low level.
2. It seems to me somehow the router is flooded when used intensely (with errors, fragments of maybe a corrupted WiFi protocol; but that's all beyond my knowledge). At least the router gets very busy or confused.
3. It seems to me that there is a connection between this problem and the intensity in which the WiFi is used by other WLAN's.
4. I think that disturbing the router is quite a bad thing.

Details about advanced settings of the router (I did not change them):
Beacon interval 100
DTIM interval 1
Fragmentation threshold 3446
RTS threshold 3447

[dream.coder (peter-wilson-uk)]

I also have this problem with latest kernel 2.6.31 x64 jaunty, on my connection if i download at full speed i get disconnected within a few minutes and have to restart the wifi, also if i am not downloadng the internet will cut out at any time it decides too.

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

went back to intrepid out-of-the box install and wireless is now rock solid.

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

fyi i'm on a dell inspiron 1720 - jaunty latest=flaky, disconnects on large file transfers, etc. intrepid=good, no problems with wireless.

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

so ,it seems that the new kernel will not solves the problem
it s a big issues for me ,i also have a problem with a slow internet
navigation du to IPV6
i need to update the kernel to desactivate ipv6
do we need to move back to intrepid isntead of karmic koala???

2009/9/28 Matthew In Randwick <email address hidden>

> fyi i'm on a dell inspiron 1720 - jaunty latest=flaky, disconnects on
> large file transfers, etc. intrepid=good, no problems with wireless.
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I frequently
> lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo
> /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
>

--
CHRISTOPHE

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

just to confirm: is this fixed in karmic? otherwise we should remove the "jaunty" part from the title.

[Jak (jakpenny)]

Can confirm same bug using dell inspiron 2200 on broadcom BCM4318 chip using b43-pci-bridge driver. Have greatly reduced problem by setting mtu quite high '1532' (router set at 1432) and adding "options b43-pci-bridge disable_hw_scan=1" to /etc/modprobe.conf. Problem seems worst using wep security, was less noticable on wpa2 but network is shared with a number of vista comps wich all refused to work with wpa2 so had to switch back. Have tried altering beacon rate from router default (100) but gets worse in both directions. Connection drops most often when streaming media, playing flash and downloading. dmesg shows this is definately a beacon problem. Am going to attemp to disable ipv6 but not convinced this relates to the issue.

[Stancu Florin (niflostancu)]

I finally upgraded to karmic and I can say it's fixed now.
I transfered >2GB files with a speed of ~2MB/s with no problem.
I still get "Microcode SW error" on dmesg sometimes, but the transfer worked flawlessly.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

I'll try what Jak said (increase MTU)

Also I have to try this (update firmware)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1145966&page=4#post7432085
(I also have an Inspiron 9400. This looks promising.)

If only the problem could be reduced to one drop per day; that would be practically perfect.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

(wow Stancu's message was not available when I posted. I will definitely try first wether if upgrading to karmic beta fixes the thing)

[another_sam (anothersam)]

ggrreat. just installed 9.10 beta. and karmic endured like a macho while downloading 321 MB of updates.

(and firefox 3.5 flies. and the ram consumption is friggin tight. and the installer was beautiful. omg i love this!)

[CarloBecchi (carlo-becchi-web)]

Hi there!
I've a Acer Aspire 5510 with a

           *-network:0
                description: Wireless interface
                product: PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection
                vendor: Intel Corporation
                physical id: 3
                bus info: pci@0000:06:03.0
                logical name: eth1
                version: 05
                serial: 00:13:ce:3c:d6:7d
                width: 32 bits
                clock: 33MHz
                capabilities: bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
                configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ipw2200 driverversion=1.2.2kmprq firmware=ABG:9.0.5.27 (Dec 12 2007) ip=192.168.0.3 latency=32 maxlatency=24 mingnt=3 multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11g
                resources: irq:17 memory:b0218000-b0218fff

and I can confirm I've this problem since Jaunty, and it's still present in Karmic beta with 2.6.31-13-generic:

(I know, this isn't the 3945ABG, but it seems to have identical issues)
I'm using WPA2-PSK only on a netgear router.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

my 3945ABG seems to work consistently right 12 days after. if other people can check also, we could name this bug as solved.

similar problems with other cards should be better filed in a more general bug or a bug with the name of the card it self, doesn't?

[8200 (8200)]

On my acer aspire 5610 with 3945ABG I can report that the bug remains steady in ubuntu 9.10 i386 with all updates.

When wlan is activated the notebook still pauses (when there is no keyboard/mouse input), the connection is still very slow and the whole system still crashes after some time (kernel panic).

:-(

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

not solve for me in 9.04 with all updates

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

Yep the question is whether karmic solves it -- we know jaunty is
still broken. Could everyone please try it in a few days when released
and report back their experience?

Matt
------

On 26/10/2009, at 21:26, totof1169 <email address hidden> wrote:

> not solve for me in 9.04 with all updates
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I
> frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager
> (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.

[Kuma (bjorn-herrstrom)]

Formated and made a fresh install on my laptop with the new release Karmic Koala! I installed some firefox addons and configured the network handler to give internet output to my ps3 with a cable.
Still using the wireless, it works like a charm. Been using it for 3 days now! Stressed it some by moving large files from and to the computer. And by creating similar wireless nearby networks to stress the connection signal.
My card is an: Intel 4965 ag or agn.

Summary: Card did not work in 9.04 but now works with 9.10 with the same and now updated program!

[nandayo (casier)]

seems to work great now, under karmic :)

[nat (n-miotti)]

No! All my hopes are just vanished today. After installing Koala, and during a download test of a file (koala iso)...also only writing this post, my wireless connection is gone down. My disappointment starts to become frustration.
I have a non-recent HP Pavilion zd7128ea, I've installed the "Broadcom B43 Wireless driver".
natmio

[mrchris (chris-glaister-test)]

I installed Ubuntu 9.10 last night and I can confirm that my Intel 3945 ABG wireless card worked straight away.

I have installed this on a Dell Vostro 1500 which previously had problems connecting to wireless networks. Also just for the record, the nVidia graphics drivers and sound all seem to work really well. If have a similar spec'd laptop and were put off by wireless/sound/graphics driver issues before try Ubuntu 9.10 its very good.

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

i have installed 9.10 and the problem seems to be solved too on my vaio laptop
(some other issues too)

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

I can confirm that I haven't had any dropouts out the intel wireless
card 3945 on karmic, running for a few days. Dell inspiron 1720.

As an aside some things unrelated to wireless were broken when I
upgraded from jaunty using update manager. A clean install of karmic
went much better.

Matt
------

On 04/11/2009, at 1:37, mrchris <email address hidden>
wrote:

> I installed Ubuntu 9.10 last night and I can confirm that my Intel
> 3945
> ABG wireless card worked straight away.
>
> I have installed this on a Dell Vostro 1500 which previously had
> problems connecting to wireless networks. Also just for the record,
> the
> nVidia graphics drivers and sound all seem to work really well. If
> have
> a similar spec'd laptop and were put off by wireless/sound/graphics
> driver issues before try Ubuntu 9.10 its very good.
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I
> frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager
> (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.

[Jørgen Best (jorgen-voor-werk)]

Problems stil remain (on vr 13th!) after an upgrade from KUbuntu 9.04 - 9,10 (Toshiba with 3945ABG-card).
I did not a fresh install but upgraded.

Does anyone know what drivers / modules are involved (to check version and installation)?

Jørgen

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

I can also confirm the problem still exists in karmic, after
previously thinking it was fixed. Watching streaming tv, the wireless
froze up. Sudo service networking restart failed with an error "no
such device" or similar. I did a clean install. My iPhone continued to
work with the wireless no problems during this time.

After reboot, networking worked again. (in contrast now 3 months with
no reboot on my iPhone!)

Matt
------

On 13/11/2009, at 22:38, Jørgen Best <email address hidden>
wrote:

> Problems stil remain (on vr 13th!) after an upgrade from KUbuntu
> 9.04 - 9,10 (Toshiba with 3945ABG-card).
> I did not a fresh install but upgraded.
>
> Does anyone know what drivers / modules are involved (to check version
> and installation)?
>
> Jørgen
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I
> frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager
> (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.

[gael (gael-dreher)]

After thinking this bug wasn't fixed in karmic (tested with a system upgraded from jaunty and with the live cd), the problem suddenly seems to be solved (same system, no fresh install!) (no drop outs since 3 days, the download rates are not as constant as with LAN but ok).
The wifi LED started blinking again though.

[Zach Dwiel (zdwiel)]

I did an upgrade from Jaunty to Karmic and am also still having problems. Reboot fixes it as before. If I run service network-manager restart, I still can not see any wireless networks, and the network manager says "device not ready" under Wireless Networks.

[gael (gael-dreher)]

After using karmic for several weeks now I have to revise my comment (#95): some days the Intel wireless 3945ABG works, some days it doesn't. So the bug is still there as originally described "Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently"

[I am Matt Jones (iammattjones)]

karmic with kernel 2.6.31 Intel 3945 abg. Problem still exists. Mine is much more severe. Computer hangs when trying to obtain an IP address from the AP. WICD and NM produce the same results. After a full system reboot WICD will connect to the AP but has no connectivity. When pinging a url or an IP I get about 90% packet loss. After a minute or so the connection will drop and will not connect again regardless of what I do. This was a problem in 8.04, went away in 8.10, now it has rendered my laptop useless again. When I boot from a live cd with an older kernel the wireless works properly. Every time this has happened I've removed Ubuntu and installed Windows waiting for the next release. I guess its time to break out the XP cd again.

[Daniele (daniele-levorato)]

I'm having the same problem too with Karmic. Tryed even to backport some packages like stated here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8879101#post8879101
Nothing to do! The wireless goes down!!! On my laptop it goes up again automatically, but on my server (another pc) using a wifi-usb-dongle, it doesn't... even if I restart network, the device doesn't work anymore... I have to unplug it and plug again and then it reconnects.
This BUG is very critical because I MUST use wireless... and so I can't use Ubuntu anymore!!! After so many year.. it's a pitty!!!

[kit (kitrule)]

If you've just recently upgraded, I'd assume your previous kernel (the
one that worked) is still on your computer. Can you boot the computer
with that kernel and confirm you don't have a problem? And if that's
the case can you post back what kernel version that was. Thanks.

On 25 February 2010 08:37, Daniele <email address hidden> wrote:
> I'm having the same problem too with Karmic. Tryed even to backport some packages like stated here:
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8879101#post8879101
> Nothing to do! The wireless goes down!!! On my laptop it goes up again automatically, but on my server (another pc) using a wifi-usb-dongle, it doesn't... even if I restart network, the device doesn't work anymore... I have to unplug it and plug again and then it reconnects.
> This BUG is very critical because I MUST use wireless... and so I can't use Ubuntu anymore!!! After so many year.. it's a pitty!!!
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/348204/+subscribe
>

[whirli (whirlii)]

lspci | grep -i net
01:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
07:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation PRO/100 VE Network Connection (rev 02)

I believe I have (have had this for a quite a while now actually) this same problem with ubuntu 9.10. It disconnects randomly and after that it refuses to reconnect. After I disable and enable wireless again from the network manager it says "device not ready." Only thing I can do (with these skills) is to restart and hope it would work a bit longer.
What can I do to help with this issue?

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

Don't think there is interest in fixing this bug. I don't have the issue anymore because my hardware was under warranty but not fixable, so received a completely different laptop with a different wireless chipset. Good luck all that continue to have this problem. Don't get your hope to high that they will fix this for Lucid. Each release seems to make it worse, not better.

:(

Narnie

[whirli (whirlii)]

@narnie
That might very well be. This problem has been occuring with my laptop since I installed ubuntu 7.04 to it but it varies how bad it is. Right now (just installed the updates [9.10]) its very frustrating as it simply doesnt work longer than 5 minutes. Ill give 10.04 beta1 a try but after that I guess Ill have to do something silly :F

[Zach Dwiel (zdwiel)]

I've been having the problem since 9.04 and finally broke down and bought a
cheap USB dongle which is kinda working - now I'm having trouble sometimes
getting the laptop to see the new dongle instead of the built-in card.

zach

On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 4:57 PM, whirli <email address hidden> wrote:

> @narnie
> That might very well be. This problem has been occuring with my laptop
> since I installed ubuntu 7.04 to it but it varies how bad it is. Right now
> (just installed the updates [9.10]) its very frustrating as it simply doesnt
> work longer than 5 minutes. Ill give 10.04 beta1 a try but after that I
> guess Ill have to do something silly :F
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

I have 8 to 10 laptops I manage at any one time all with linux with various wireless chipsets. I will say that I am very disappointed overall what the wireless state of things with Ubuntu. Started to look at other distros. GnomeMepis sounded pretty good built on Debian Lenny. Seems like the opposite is the case with wireless modems like 3G networks, etc. They have spent a lot of time on these, but seemed to miss the boat on how most of us connect most of the time. I don't understand why Ubuntu patches the kernel on these things instead of leaving it alone an ruining it. Surely they are in tune with how popular laptops/netbooks have become. On my new, new very late model Aspire one with wireless N with an atheros chipset, I only get one bar. 3 bars with Windows, and it will fail from time to time. Sometimes a reset fixes it, sometimes it need a reboot similar to this problem. Completely different chipset but the same type of frustration.

I want to stick with Ubuntu, but it may be on some machines I will be forced to look elsewhere. We may have to "vote" with our distro choice, but I'm not sure really how much of an impact this will make.

I'm thinking about trying Moblin on this particular netbook with the atheros chipset.

Kind Regards to you and even Ubuntu despite their lack of interest in this thread.

Narnie

[whirli (whirlii)]

Yeah, I did a 10.04 beta1 clean install and same thing. It actually need 4-6 restarts to work and even then it works 5mins or so. How could I help to get this bug fixed? Or is there nothing to do? I really need this to work.

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

I don't think there is anything to do. I've never read in the popular linux mags about these wireless issues with Ubuntu.

Perhaps if we all wrote to Linux Format, Linux Journal, Linux Mag, etc and one of them pics it up and gives these wireless issues voice, something can happen.

On my current machine (Intel Corporation Wireless WiFi Link 5100), it got to where it dropped once a day. Tried posting the prob on some forums. No takers. Did a fresh install, and it seems to have works so far except for much more rare occasions.

Wireless is a must-have to keep Ubuntu popular. These are critical (for us and Ubuntu's reputation) bugs.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

uff. 5100. I thought only we the 2006ers with a 3945ABG had problems.

current version of ubuntu not playing well with the current google
suggestion's most popular wireless card is, I think too, a critical
bug.

if only we could perform some acknowledged test. ... some script
gathering wifi activity or errors ... atop our driver in debug mode
perhaps ... "sometimes I loss wifi" is a symptom hard to explain but
probably more hard to diagnose.

with 9.10 I suffer less this effect than with 9.04. 9.04 lost
connection each 5 minutes. 9.10 instead, once per week. I turn off the
PC each night.

On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 11:33 PM, narnie <email address hidden> wrote:
> I don't think there is anything to do. I've never read in the popular
> linux mags about these wireless issues with Ubuntu.
>
> Perhaps if we all wrote to Linux Format, Linux Journal, Linux Mag, etc
> and one of them pics it up and gives these wireless issues voice,
> something can happen.
>
> On my current machine (Intel Corporation Wireless WiFi Link 5100), it
> got to where it dropped once a day. Tried posting the prob on some
> forums. No takers. Did a fresh install, and it seems to have works so
> far except for much more rare occasions.
>
> Wireless is a must-have to keep Ubuntu popular. These are critical (for
> us and Ubuntu's reputation) bugs.
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

--
"Make sure that Office documents very well depends on PROPRIETARY IE
capabilities."
    Bill Gates, 1998.

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

I repeat that this bug showed up in an old version (8.04 or thereabouts), was gone on 8.10, then showed up on 9.04 and has been solidly buggy ever since. Even a Sony TZ that I thought was immune to it turned out to be prone as well. I originally identified it on a Dell D830 with a 4965 chip.

The best test I have, one that rarely fails, is to transfer an 8 GB file from the suspected machine to locally wired server (rsync, nfs, anything will do). At best, the transfer will stall at around 5GB, when you then realize the wireless connection no longer works. To recover from that situation there are several approaches (from reselecting the given connection on NetworkManager to a full restart), that you will have to resort according to the phase of the moon or the spin of the electrons around.

Reviewing my previous posts I noticed that I already tried with two other distros and the bug is ubuntu-related only. Since I only use the D830 as a wired server now (switched to a Mac, where the wireless always works and the machine suspends and always wakes up when I open the lid:-)), it's a bit hard for me to do a perfect test to really blame the ubuntu kernel patch set. The test is to compile a vanilla kernel and see what happens with wireless, even if other things break, since this is supposed to be just a test...

Maybe I find sometime to test this approach on the Sony TZ, but who knows, this semester I'm swamped.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

"to transfer an 8 GB file from the suspected machine to locally wired server (rsync, nfs, anything will do). At best, the transfer will stall at around 5GB, when you then realize the wireless connection no longer works. To recover from that situation there are several approaches (from reselecting the given connection on NetworkManager to a full restart), that you will have to resort according to the phase of the moon or the spin of the electrons around."

I am testing this. 800 MB uploaded to the server so far.

I have System Log Viewer opened. When wifi die I'll check for new messages.

So far it seems some issues have appeared:

syslog:
Mar 29 12:31:13 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1157]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6136.955976] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Microcode SW error detected. Restarting 0x82000008.
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6136.955987] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Error Reply type 0x00000005 cmd REPLY_TX (0x1C) seq 0x02EC ser 0x00740000
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6137.032741] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::radio
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6137.032765] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::assoc
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6137.032825] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::RX
Mar 29 12:31:27 flik-laptop kernel: [ 6137.032846] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::TX
Mar 29 12:33:13 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1157]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS

[another_sam (anothersam)]

At irregular intervals there are short (2 seconds or so) drops of transfer bandwidth. During some of these drops, not all, this appears at syslog at a time:

 kernel: [ 7484.309510] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Microcode SW error detected. Restarting 0x82000008.
 kernel: [ 7484.309527] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Error Reply type 0x00000005 cmd REPLY_TX (0x1C) seq 0x02F1 ser 0x00740000
 kernel: [ 7484.381623] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::radio
 kernel: [ 7484.381648] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::assoc
 kernel: [ 7484.381707] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::RX
 kernel: [ 7484.381727] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::TX

[another_sam (anothersam)]

Got it. (the effect, not the cause)

Secuence:
13:16:00 Full bandwidth drop
13:16:18 "Microcode SW error detected" appears on syslog
13:16:32 Bandwidth up again
13:17:25 Bandwidth down again, now forever
13:29:35 Ubuntu notifies me "Disconnected from wireless network"
13:30:30 Ubuntu shows "Wireless Network Authentication Required". Then I put the password but neither works.

I attach:
1. a screenshot of the moment when all the s*hit was starting to emerge
2. my syslog from startup this morning (11:03:11) to 13:37:32

[another_sam (anothersam)]

my syslog including while wifi crash (aprox from 13:16:00 to 13:30:30)

[another_sam (anothersam)]

I tested the same with
linux-image-2.6.31-02063112-generic_2.6.31-02063112_i386.deb
from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.31.12/

Transfer died after uploading only 618 MB, on 15:47:50 aprox. This is what syslog was showing then and short after:

Mar 29 15:42:17 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[970]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 29 15:44:17 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[970]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 29 15:46:17 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[970]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 29 15:48:12 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[970]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 29 15:48:12 flik-laptop kernel: [ 1104.008161] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Error sending REPLY_SCAN_CMD: time out after 500ms.
Mar 29 15:48:13 flik-laptop kernel: [ 1104.508156] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Error sending REPLY_TX_PWR_TABLE_CMD: time out after 500ms.

By the way, does it have value to test with kernels from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline
?

If so, I could go ahead and put my life at risk by testing with
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.32.9/
and
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.33/
for the sake of humankind freedom.

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

Trying Ubuntu-generated, i.e. Ubuntu patched kernels won't cut it. Those patches are the culprit, I know because I tested other distros with the same kernel version. You need to try a vanilla kernel, anyone. Most probably Ubuntu/Canonical don't make one available, so you'll have to compile your own. Adding the *build-essentials* package should be enough if you have compiled a Linux kernel in the past. After all, it's just for a single test, so if anything else breaks you just ignore it during the test and afterwards reboot the machine with the standard kernel.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

I wil try tonight and tomorrow.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

by "vanilla kernel" i understand all defaults. is that ok?

(it is how i am compiling it right now. ... and i am following this http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/compiling-linux-kernel-26.html )

[Pete Graner (pgraner)]

@Paulo, The Ubuntu Kernel Team does make vanilla kernel packages available [1] just for that reason. They are called Mainline Builds. They are vanilla kernel source (no Ubuntu Patches) with the Ubuntu Config Options set.

@another_sam, PLEASE do not compile your own kernel for testing. In order to troubleshoot we need a consistent set of variables so please use the kernel ppa listed below. Instructions are at [2]. Also if you ever need to compile please do not follow instructions for <insert random web forum|site here>. Please use the info on the Ubuntu Kernel Team Knowledge Base pages [3], those pages are actively maintained by the kernel team.

Thanks

[1] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

[2] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/MainlineBuilds

[3] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KnowledgeBase

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

Pete is right, sorry, I didn't know about the vanilla kernel being available. And another_sam, what I meant was not the kernel compilation options (default or not), but the patch set each distribution uses to get the kernel the way they like it (or consider more robust, faster, more [something]...).

However, I don't agree with Pete when he insists on not using any other kernel apart from ppa. I think everyone here is well clear on why I proposed the test, so another_sam will not complain to ubuntu-devs that his new spanking kernel has wireless 100% but something else won't work, "so have it fixed for those new bugs". Don't worry about that.

A test is only a test. If the ppa kernel is indeed vanilla with all the options the ubuntu team normally sets, then that's the best bet for the test. If, however, by any chance the ppa kernel shows the same bug, then another_sam should really try the vanilla kernel from kernel.org, just to be sure. This is a simple testing procedure that everyone does nowadays, since it's the less time-consuming approach available.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

With
linux-image-2.6.32-02063209-generic_2.6.32-02063209_i386.deb
from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.32.9/

1. Start upload
2. After 97MB, bandwidth falls for a minute or two
3. Bandwidth up and transfers another 182 MB
4. Bandwidth falls forever

On the log, ubuntu asks for password on 10:00:02 and I cancel on 10:00:04.

It seems this goes worse on each kernel version. Now I'll try 2.6.33 from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.33/

[another_sam (anothersam)]

With
linux-image-2.6.33-020633-generic_2.6.33-020633_i386.deb
from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.33/

The video signal arrives to the external monitor earlier in the start-up. i have ati R500. ok focus.

first attempt:
14:53:.. start upload
14:54:50 bandwidth drop
14:55:52 connection self-healed but transfer was lost

second attempt:
14:58:30 start upload
14:58:43 bandwidth drop
14:59:48 bandwidth up
15:01:53 bandwidth drop
15:02:56 transfer lost (this is windows server saying "can't copy the-file: The specified network name is no more available")
15:04:33 the connection is working. due to earlier self-healing.

third attempt:
15:05:52 start upload
16:02:50 still uploading. 3.1 GB so far. best result so far.

i have to leave. i will repeat this same test tonight to see if the third time's the charm again or what. (thank you wordreference)

[another_sam (anothersam)]

The transfer of the previous test finished successfully. It probably finished around 17:30 - 18:00. I attach now the log from 16:03 to 18:00. FYI is the same until 20:00 when I arrived home.

Now I restarted and started a new test with the same kernel and the same file from 20:39:53. So far 600 MB have been transferred with this log:

Mar 30 20:40:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:41:31 flik-laptop kernel: [ 653.784679] gvfsd-metadata[2047]: segfault at 8 ip 0804d2ea sp bfb06070 error 4 in gvfsd-metadata[8048000+c000]
Mar 30 20:42:24 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:44:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:46:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:48:24 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:50:23 flik-laptop kernel: [ 1186.177155] CE: hpet increasing min_delta_ns to 22500 nsec
Mar 30 20:50:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:52:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:54:24 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:56:25 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS
Mar 30 20:58:24 flik-laptop wpa_supplicant[1173]: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-RESULTS

I am starting to believe mainline kernel 2.6.33 is able to converge in a state where this bug takes place no more.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

sorry I forgot the attachment.

(i am quite bloating this thread but i think i am providing valuable information to other users and developers. if i am wrong please let me now.)

[another_sam (anothersam)]

This afternoon Ubuntu notified me on 14:52:38 that I it was disconnected. This was while using internet as usual; without previous or ongoing big upload.

(mainline kernel 2.6.33)

I attach the surrounding syslog.

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

I again having daily dropouts on my current wireless (Intel 5100).

Very frustrating the state of Intel Wireless on several cards in Ubuntu.

here is the location of that bug.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/352228

[kit (kitrule)]

Seeing as people are chiming in with "me-toos", I know I subscribed to
this bug after having a slightly different problem, but the iwl3945abg
in my Ubuntu laptop has been working fine for several months -
although I do keep it within the same room as the router. I'm on Lucid
now. Here's the driver and firmware information that is working for
me.

kit@lenovo:~$ dmesg | grep iwl
[ 18.034987] iwl3945: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/BG Network
Connection driver for Linux, 1.2.26ks
...
[ 27.206385] iwl3945 0000:04:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode
[ 27.543042] iwl3945 0000:04:00.0: loaded firmware version 15.32.2.9

Perhaps that combination would work for other people.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

this is my "dmesg | grep iwl"
[ 15.102256] iwl3945: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/BG Network Connection driver for Linux, 2.6.33-020633-generic-ks
[ 15.102262] iwl3945: Copyright(c) 2003-2009 Intel Corporation
[ 15.102395] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
[ 15.102411] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 15.156622] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Tunable channels: 13 802.11bg, 23 802.11a channels
[ 15.156627] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Detected Intel Wireless WiFi Link 3945ABG
[ 15.156782] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: irq 28 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 15.218878] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'iwl-3945-rs'
[ 21.603973] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: firmware: requesting iwlwifi-3945-2.ucode
[ 21.644158] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: loaded firmware version 15.32.2.9

And just had a connection drop on 14:29:36 followed by a total system freeze (even ctrl+alt+f1..6 not working) short after 14:32:16. Perhaps I'll try mainline 2.6.34rc1 deb.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

what is iwlwifi? does it have anything to do with this bug? I see a lot of "iwlwifi" work in
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.33/CHANGES
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.34-rc1/CHANGES

just tried 2.6.34rc1 but it does not start. some messages appear before X being initialized.

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

I've been off the circuit since I bought a Mac, but if nothing changed iwlwifi is the current open source effort to supply drivers for intel wireless chips. Other efforts have stopped by now, I believe. If memory serves, it has support from the Intel development team.

Not having X is bad because then you don't have NetworkManager, or do you? Does anyone know if you can control it from the command line? If you can work with the machine from the text consoles or from another machine via ssh, then you could try invoking wpa_assistant from the command line and issue the appropriate commands to get an association, then run dhclient to get an IP address.

Let me see if I dig those from my help files... There you are:

ifconfig wlan0 up
wpa_supplicant -Dwext -iwlan0 -c/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf -dd

Substitute your real wireless iterface for wlan0, and wext is the usual argument for -D. If all goes well, then you run dhclient <your_wireless_interface> and check afterwards through ifconfig whether you've been assigned an IP address.

Then you can transfer several big files to /dev/null just to be sure the thing really is able to sustain a long transfer.

Cheers,

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

Mine completely dropped out a few weeks ago. I've been having better success
by disabling N mode on my router and forcing it to protocol G.

Haven't done a soak test so I'm sure this hasn't fixed the problem, merely
mitigated it. But if you are trying the mainline kernels, might be
interesting to try that in conjunction with disabling N mode on the router
if that's relevant for you.

Cheers,
Matthew

2010/4/3 Paulo Lício de Geus <email address hidden>

> I've been off the circuit since I bought a Mac, but if nothing changed
> iwlwifi is the current open source effort to supply drivers for intel
>

[Victorpictor (victorpictor)]

Problem still present with the new Beta 2 Lucid release.
Strange thing that with my previous SMC router, I had no problem, only after I switched to Linksys 160N.

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

Try disabling n mode on your router. Improved my iPhone wireless and
got my 3945abg working stable for the past few weeks. Was completely
borked before that.

Matt
------

On 10/04/2010, at 5:31, Victorpictor <email address hidden> wrote:

> Problem still present with the new Beta 2 Lucid release.
> Strange thing that with my previous SMC router, I had no problem,
> only after I switched to Linksys 160N.
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I
> frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager
> (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/348204/+subscribe

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

My router doesn't have an N mode. It is an older b/g model. Hence, this wouldn't have fixed it for me.

Narnie

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

i have a linksys 160N too
i hane 2 vaio laptops with karmic ,one doesn t have any problem with this router and doesnt have any deconnection
the second with the 3945abg card was a problem ,bigger on jaunty than karmic (but still a problem)
i had good result after making this (i find it on a fotrum)

   1. sudo modprobe -r iwl3945
   2. create a file named iwl3945 in /etc/modprobe.d
   3. in that file enter the following entries
   alias wlan0 iwl3945
   options iwl3945 disable_hw_scan=1
   4. sudo modprobe iwl3945
   5. sudo ifconfig wlan0 up

christophe

[Victorpictor (victorpictor)]

Toto, I tried that and achieved a slight improvement, but for example a live Skype chat won't tolerate a 30 sec reconnection.

[Stancu Florin (niflostancu)]

great... the bug returns to me on lucid :(
I have dmesg full of:
[ 3251.707195] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: No space for Tx
[ 3251.707202] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error sending REPLY_RXON: enqueue_hcmd failed: -28
[ 3251.707210] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error setting new configuration (-28).
[ 3251.707217] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: No space for Tx
[ 3251.707224] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error sending REPLY_RXON: enqueue_hcmd failed: -28
[ 3251.707230] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error setting new configuration (-28).
[ 3251.707243] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: No space for Tx
[ 3251.707249] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error sending REPLY_TX_PWR_TABLE_CMD: enqueue_hcmd failed: -28

at the end I get the usual
[ 3627.485883] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Microcode SW error detected. Restarting 0x82000008.
[ 3627.485905] iwl3945 0000:10:00.0: Error Reply type 0x00000005 cmd REPLY_TX (0x1C) seq 0x0209 ser 0x00740000
[ 3627.557266] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::radio
[ 3627.557958] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::assoc
[ 3627.558144] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::RX
[ 3627.559098] Registered led device: iwl-phy0::TX

Sometimes after transfering large ammounts of data (~1GB) over wifi, my connections breaks... I have to connect again...
On karmic I still got those Microcode SW errors, but the connection didn't drop... Now I have some new messages and the connection is unstable...
Again, I have "10:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)"

Nice job, kernel team!

[another_sam (anothersam)]

@totof1168
step 4 returns me:
WARNING: All config files need .conf: /etc/modprobe.d/iwl3945, it will be ignored in a future release.
is this OK?

@Stancu
same here. the effect is a much more unstable connection.

I'll post if totof steps made any improvement on my machine.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

12 Mbps internet connection downloading a 4.4 GB iso.

After totof's steps I have regular speed drops each 100 seconds aprox, but in effect no connection drops.

Speed takes aprox 30 seconds to achieve 12Mbps, so there is aprox 70 seconds of full speed before each drop.

On syslog I can see a periodic round of "Failed to get channel info for channel ..." messages each 120 seconds .

Log:
...
May 2 11:31:30 me kernel: [ 1276.388104] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 136 [0]
May 2 11:31:31 me kernel: [ 1276.812100] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 140 [0]
May 2 11:33:27 me kernel: [ 1392.612082] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 100 [0]
May 2 11:33:27 me kernel: [ 1393.036083] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 104 [0]
May 2 11:33:27 me kernel: [ 1393.464036] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 108 [0]
May 2 11:33:28 me kernel: [ 1393.888134] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 112 [0]
May 2 11:33:28 me kernel: [ 1394.312101] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 116 [0]
May 2 11:33:29 me kernel: [ 1394.736050] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 120 [0]
May 2 11:33:29 me kernel: [ 1395.163633] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 124 [0]
May 2 11:33:30 me kernel: [ 1395.592104] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 128 [0]
May 2 11:33:30 me kernel: [ 1396.016109] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 132 [0]
May 2 11:33:30 me kernel: [ 1396.440074] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 136 [0]
May 2 11:33:31 me kernel: [ 1396.864094] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 140 [0]
May 2 11:35:27 me kernel: [ 1512.568041] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 100 [0]
May 2 11:35:27 me kernel: [ 1512.996076] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 104 [0]
May 2 11:35:27 me kernel: [ 1513.421052] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 108 [0]
May 2 11:35:28 me kernel: [ 1513.845066] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 112 [0]
May 2 11:35:28 me kernel: [ 1514.273073] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 116 [0]
May 2 11:35:29 me kernel: [ 1514.696076] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 120 [0]
May 2 11:35:29 me kernel: [ 1515.120100] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 124 [0]
May 2 11:35:29 me kernel: [ 1515.545738] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 128 [0]
May 2 11:35:30 me kernel: [ 1515.973115] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 132 [0]
May 2 11:35:30 me kernel: [ 1516.397086] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 136 [0]
May 2 11:35:31 me kernel: [ 1516.821727] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 140 [0]
May 2 11:37:27 me kernel: [ 1632.572127] iwl3945 0000:0c:00.0: Failed to get channel info for channel 100 [0]
May 2 11:37:27 me kernel: [ 1...

[HidingGeryan (john-nevill)]

This one is a no-go in the Lucid release too. I gave totof's wlan0 switcharoo a try and was able to download a big honkin file. Things were looking hopeful, but right after it completed I dropped and had to reset network manager (or turn off wireless with the hardware switch). I have a Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/BG running on Lucid with 2.6.32-21-generic. Frustrating that there aren't some wifi ninjas out in ubuntu land that have whooped this well known bug.

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

i have just made a fresh installation of lucid ,my problem is still here
the solution that i used before is not solving the problem ,on my case the connection drop every 10min and reconnect
this is ok to download any torrent files ,but not for live chat ,and for example tranferring large file on a nas

[narnie (signupnarnie)]

Folks,

I really hate to say it, but your choices are these because Canonical doesn't seem interested in maintaining wireless reliability:

1) Get new hardware
    a) Either a new computer or
    b) A wireless USB or PCMCIA or ExpressCard
2) Revert back to where Ubuntu comes from, Debian as this driver is working in Debian (or use another distro as so many seem good and more user friendly than in the past these days (eg Mandriva, OpenSUSE, Fedora, etc)

I really feel this pain, but after over a year and no fix, including the next LTS, I fear that there is no fix for this other than the above.

Shame on Ubuntu/Canonical for not paying any real attention to this bug.

Narnie

[another_sam (anothersam)]

@totof
Is working sufficiently (speed drops but connection endures) for me with mainline ppa kernel 2.6.34rc6.
Try:
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.34-rc6-lucid/

[Stephan Müller (megandy)]

The same bug exists in lucid lynx on my T60 Lenovo machine. Especially this happens more often when traffic is high.

[Barry Gaunt (barry-gaunt)]

I've worked around this problem on my thinkpad T60 by simply pluging in an Atheros PCMCIA card. Lot less agro than 3945 debugging.

[8200 (8200)]

The bug also still persist on my acer aspire 5610 with 3945ABG.

:-(

[vipek (vipek)]

How is it possible that so critical bug is still not solved, after over two years? It's not even assigned to anyone! And off course not marked as citical!
In such moments, I think opensource sucks. Sorry for my honesty, but this is true. I really like Ubuntu, but I cannot recommend it to any of my not-linux-guru friends, because WiFi simply doesn't work. Doesn't is critical bug???

My laptop:
HP Compaq nx7300, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, Ubuntu 10.04

For me the only solution that works is:
sudo apt-get remove network-manager
sudo apt-get install wicd

[zob (zob)]

This one is the same bug don't you think?
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/317728

[Laurent Schoupi (schoupi)]

I used to have this bug. Now with a clean install of 10.10 beta (2.6.35-20-generic kernel) i don't have this bug anymore. Before upgrading to Maverick, i managed to overcome this bug by switching off the 802.11n and kept only b/g. After the upgrade, i could use again the 802.11n and surf fast.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

I'm using 10.10 beta since 5 days ago and during these days I believe I have had no issues but I'm not sure. I'll keep observing. In my case I was and I am using b/g.

[Wadelius (wadelius)]

I was finally able to fix this

I've had this problem for a long time and have tried a lot of fixes, none of them have worked. I finally gave up and ordered a new network card with another chip. It has not arrived yet, so naturally I find a solution that works when trying to take care of another problem :-). In my case the cause of the connection dropping was tcp window scaling. I found it here:
http://wheel.troxo.com/2008/06/05/tcp-window-scaling-conundrum/
and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_AzSOJbKlI

Some network cards have problems with tcp window scaling, which means changing the size of the packets on demand. You can either change the max min boundaries of the packets, or disable scaling altogether. What worked for me was disabling it.

To disables tcp window scaling you need to add the line below to your /etc/sysctl.conf.
net.ipv4.tcp_window_scaling=0

To reset run
sudo sysctl -p

[Wadelius (wadelius)]

Oh, forgot. I'm running Ubuntu 10.04 with kernel 2.6.34.

[8200 (8200)]

Today I have tried Ubuntu 10.10 beta1 i386 on my acer Aspire 5610.

The bug still persist :-(((

I have also tried the Wadelius-workaround (disable tcp window scaling) - didn't work.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

17 days with Ubuntu 10.10 beta and 0 disconnections observed. I guess this is fixed at least for Dell Inspiron 9400 (E1705).

[Stas Sușcov (sushkov)]

Please fix the Maverick (upstream kernel) for T400 thinkpads, this is my 3rd bug report after suspend and video issues!!!

---
Oct 28 23:09:44 rivalry kernel: [14225.304073] No probe response from AP 00:19:5b:00:ef:77 after 500ms, disconnecting.
---

My wlan card:
---
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection
---

[Jørgen Best (jorgen-voor-werk)]

Disabling tcp window scaling seems to solve my problems also (tested with copiing iso-files).

as instructed, add: net.ipv4.tcp_window_scaling=0 to /etc/sysctl.conf.

If problems return I'll report here that it's not a complete solution.

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

disabling tcp windows scaling doesn t solve the problem for me ,i m still on lucid

i have tried on maverick ,still the problem , (i had to come back on lucid du to a video bug )
i have this problem since jaunty ,and don t see any way to solve this problem !!!!!

[Matthew In Randwick (matthewinrandwick)]

Did you check if your router is trying to negotiate b or n mode wireless? Mine got better when I forced it to G only.

Matt
------

On 07/11/2010, at 7:52, totof1169 <email address hidden> wrote:

> disabling tcp windows scaling doesn t solve the problem for me ,i m
> still on lucid
>
> i have tried on maverick ,still the problem , (i had to come back on lucid du to a video bug )
> i have this problem since jaunty ,and don t see any way to solve this problem !!!!!
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/348204/+subscribe

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

yes ,i already check it ,no difference with or without the b or n mode

2010/11/7 Matthew In Randwick <email address hidden>

> Did you check if your router is trying to negotiate b or n mode
> wireless? Mine got better when I forced it to G only.
>
> Matt
> ------
>
>
> On 07/11/2010, at 7:52, totof1169 <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> > disabling tcp windows scaling doesn t solve the problem for me ,i m
> > still on lucid
> >
> > i have tried on maverick ,still the problem , (i had to come back on
> lucid du to a video bug )
> > i have this problem since jaunty ,and don t see any way to solve this
> problem !!!!!
> >
> > --
> > [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> > https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> > You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> > of the bug.
> >
> > Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> > Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
> >
> > Bug description:
> > I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
> >
> > The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I
> frequently lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo
> /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
> >
> > It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
> >
> > If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> > https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/348204/+subscribe
>
> --
> [Jaunty] Intel wireless 3945ABG is unstable and disconnects frequently
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348204
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed
> Status in “network-manager” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
>
> Bug description:
> I use Jaunty alpha 6 with kernel 2.6.28-11
>
> The wireless connection is realy unstable with intel 3945ABG. I frequently
> lost the connection and i have to restart NetworkManager (sudo
> /etc/init.d/NetworkManager restart) to connect again.
>
> It seems going worst and worst since the fifth alpha.
>
> If you need some informations, feel free to contact me.
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/348204/+subscribe
>

--
CHRISTOPHE

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

i ve tried with maverick ,still the same ,i give up!!
i bought anoyher computer no probleme on wifi (but video and sound problem ,all with intel)!!!!!!!!!

[AaronELBorg (elmastero74)]

I'm seeing it in Lucid as well.

The /etc/sysctl.conf trick doesn't seem to be working as I still drop the connection.

Never had this problem in Hardy.

[Antti P Miettinen (apm)]

Hmm.. the title seems a bit off as the reports include e.g. lucid and Intel 5100AGN. I have Dell Latitude E4300 with Intel 5100AGN, I'm running lucid and sometimes my connection to a Zyxel 11g AP just keeps disconnecting. I do not know whether it is related to using sshfs over IPv6 or just the amount of traffic. When there is a disconnection, dmesg contains:

No probe response from AP xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx after 500ms, disconnecting.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

4 months after #153 I can assure the bug is fixed for me in Ubuntu 10.10. I have an 3945abg.

@Antti, have you tried with 10.10?

[totof1169 (bourgeotc)]

i change my computer and let this one for my soon with edubuntu 10.10 ,no desconection for the moment

[Antti P Miettinen (apm)]

@another_sam, for be the problem is so rare it is difficult to arrange robust comparison. For example, I have not seen the problem after I posted my comment even though my usage pattern has not changed. Still running lucid.

[Marc Goujon (markitoxs)]

This is interesting,

I have been experiencing the same issue with pretty much every single version since Karmic. And today I have tried to connect to the network without logging in gnome. I have gone to a virtual console (CTRL+ALT+F1 instead of typing the user and pass in GDM) and set up everything a la old school (iwconfig, dhclient,) after booting up and my connection is rock solid for the last hour. Usually it' d take 3 min to disconnect.

I though it might help people to track down where the issue is coming from.

m

[Marc Goujon (markitoxs)]

16 hours so far....

[Marc Goujon (markitoxs)]

Great, I have no idea what happened, but since a couple hours ago, its back to the same behaviour.

[another_sam (anothersam)]

this bug is back. not only in 11.04 but also with updated 10.10. i'm so disappointed.

[Oleg German (oleg-german)]

still present in my clean Natty instalation

[Paulo Lício de Geus (paulo-las)]

It's pointless to continue with this thread, since no one at Ubuntu cares. Do yourself a favour, get rid of the network-manager applet and install something else. I installed wicd long ago; the interface is not as nice, but at least wireless works as expected.

Long ago I traced the problem to the network-manager applet, even on another Linux installation (gentoo).

[another_sam (anothersam)]

Actually I feel this thread is useless, at 99%. For the remaining 1%, I'm going to say that today my wifi is working. Apparently, yesterday updates included some change that fixed my wifi (and today, after restarting, is when I'm enjoying the effects).

I don't discard at all that today's updates break my wifi again for tomorrow.

[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.

[DimitryPolivaev (dpolivaev)]

For me the problem seems to be solved since I updated to Ubuntu 11.04.