can't get wireless networking going

This is my first attempt at Linux, you can probably tell.

OK, it appears the problem is that Debian Lenny thinks my wireless card is a wired card?

The wireless network extends to my computer, that is certain.

I have a Dell PIII desktop computer, with both a 3COM wired card, and a D-Link WD2320 wireless card. The install was completed using a wired connection to a Linksys router for internet access to run apt.

The installer recognized NIC: wlan0: Atheros AR5212/AR5213, atheros is the chipset for the D-Link card. does this mean that the card itself is working? From what I have read this card and/or chipset is supported by the kernel so installing a driver shouldn't be necessary.

From my Debian desktop I can go System/Administration/Network and get a dialog with title "Network Settings". The first thing I notice is that wlan0 shows as a wired connection with roaming mode enabled. There is another line called eth0 which shows the same. I tried to turn off roaming and configure for DHCP, but that configuration did not stick after reboot.

At the "taskbar" next to the time is a network connections icon that shows a red&white x with no connections.

when I look at dmesg I see the following, I am unable to copy the log to this post.

ath5k_pci 0000:01:0d.0: registered as 'phy0'
phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'pid'
ath5k phy0: Atheros AR2414 chip found (MAC: 0x79, PHY: 0x45)

then there was a few lines about PCI interrupt link at IRQ 11, but it did not specifical refer to the NIC.

a few lines later problems start with eth0: link not ready and wlan0: link not ready, but I can't tie this to the D-Link for sure.

The first problem line that specifically refers to the Atheros is ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC chip. after that a lot of failures realting to failure to set frequency and noise floor calibration failed.

are you using wpa/wpa2? what desktop environment did you install (Gnome, KDE, XFCE, LXDE)?
could you also post all the messages for the wireless card?
using the following command:

dmesg � grep phy0 >> wireless

you can open a text editor and open the file "wireless" and copy and paste the messages (or copy directly from xterm without rerouting the output)

OK, To make this easier, I'm gonna lug my computer downstairs later to plug directly into the router, as I haven't yet mastered writing to cd, and my Linux box is the only machine in the house with a floppy drive.

In the meantime, my desktop is Gnome Desktop 2.22.3.
WPA is a wireless encryption standard I believe? The answer is no, There is just a MAC filter for security right now.

Seeing as how i will be wire connected to the router for a while this evening, is there anything else you think I should do at that time?

p.s. my MAC address is programmed into the MAC filter, it worked when I was on Windows with this machine

---------- Post updated at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous update was at 06:41 PM ----------

ok, for what it's worth, I'm doing this using my Linux box and a wired connection to the router from my 3com card. it's about 9PM EST here in Toronto (GMT-5), I'll be online for a few hours yet.

selected segments from dmesg, this is from a previous boot when I did not have the wired connection going.

...
[ 0.175361] system 00:0b: iomem range 0x0-0x9ffff could not be reserved
[ 0.175372] system 00:0b: iomem range 0xe0000-0xfffff could not be reserved
[ 0.175381] system 00:0b: iomem range 0x100000-0x1fffffff could not be reserved
...
[ 5.563511] 0000:01:0c.0: 3Com PCI 3c905C Tornado at e0840c00.
...
[ 16.177623] ath5k_pci 0000:01:0d.0: registered as 'phy0'
[ 17.011611] phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'pid'
[ 17.688166] ath5k phy0: Atheros AR2414 chip found (MAC: 0x79, PHY: 0x45)
[ 17.689630] ACPI: PCI Interrupt Link [LNKH] enabled at IRQ 11
[ 17.689642] PCI: setting IRQ 11 as level-triggered
[ 17.689650] ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:01:0b.0[A] -> Link [LNKH] -> GSI 11 (level, low) -> IRQ 11
...
[ 22.829619] eth0: setting half-duplex.
[ 26.243381] NET: Registered protocol family 10
[ 26.244920] lo: Disabled Privacy Extensions
[ 26.246586] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): eth0: link is not ready
...
[ 31.329128] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
[ 152.525481] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 152.525502] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2417 Mhz)
[ 152.525511] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2417 MHz for scan
[ 152.890292] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 152.890301] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2422 Mhz)
[ 152.890309] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2422 MHz for scan
[ 153.274793] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 153.274802] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2427 Mhz)
[ 153.274809] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2427 MHz for scan
[ 153.622271] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 153.622279] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2432 Mhz)
[ 153.622287] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2432 MHz for scan
[ 153.990580] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 153.990589] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2437 Mhz)
[ 153.990597] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2437 MHz for scan
[ 154.330758] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2442 MHz for scan
[ 154.663339] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2447 MHz for scan
[ 154.996024] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2452 MHz for scan
[ 155.360609] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2457 MHz for scan
[ 155.689486] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2462 MHz for scan
[ 156.042847] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2467 MHz for scan
[ 156.434894] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2472 MHz for scan
[ 156.779613] wlan0: failed to restore operational channel after scan
[ 161.844027] __ratelimit: 16 messages suppressed
[ 161.844027] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 171.844012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 181.841849] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 191.839876] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 201.844013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 211.844013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 221.844013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 231.844014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 241.844014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 251.844013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 261.844014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 271.836964] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 281.844012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 282.549882] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 282.549902] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2417 Mhz)
[ 282.549911] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2417 MHz for scan
[ 282.902370] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 282.902378] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2422 Mhz)
[ 282.902386] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2422 MHz for scan
[ 283.250545] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 283.250554] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2427 Mhz)
[ 283.250562] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2427 MHz for scan
[ 283.594038] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 283.594047] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2432 Mhz)
[ 283.594055] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2432 MHz for scan
[ 283.934598] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 283.934607] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2437 MHz for scan
[ 284.275354] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2442 MHz for scan
[ 284.614411] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2447 MHz for scan
[ 284.947026] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2452 MHz for scan
[ 285.303711] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2457 MHz for scan
[ 285.636544] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2462 MHz for scan
[ 285.973862] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2467 MHz for scan
[ 286.314460] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2472 MHz for scan
[ 286.647321] wlan0: failed to restore operational channel after scan
[ 291.844013] __ratelimit: 17 messages suppressed
[ 291.844013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 301.868014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 312.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 322.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 332.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 342.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 352.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 362.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 372.031771] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 382.004013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 392.028011] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 402.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 412.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 412.522262] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 412.522283] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2417 Mhz)
[ 412.522292] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2417 MHz for scan
[ 412.858891] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 412.858900] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2422 Mhz)
[ 412.858908] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2422 MHz for scan
[ 413.229306] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 413.229314] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2427 Mhz)
[ 413.229322] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2427 MHz for scan
[ 413.570758] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 413.570767] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2432 Mhz)
[ 413.570775] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2432 MHz for scan
[ 413.910369] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 413.910378] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2437 MHz for scan
[ 414.246041] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2442 MHz for scan
[ 414.582668] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2447 MHz for scan
[ 414.920414] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2452 MHz for scan
[ 415.279094] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2457 MHz for scan
[ 415.615890] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2462 MHz for scan
[ 415.966127] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2467 MHz for scan
[ 416.302769] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2472 MHz for scan
[ 416.636625] wlan0: failed to restore operational channel after scan
[ 422.028013] __ratelimit: 17 messages suppressed
[ 422.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 432.028012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 442.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 452.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 462.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 472.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 482.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 492.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 502.028024] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 512.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 522.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 532.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 542.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 542.581827] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 542.581848] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2417 Mhz)
[ 542.581857] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2417 MHz for scan
[ 542.934299] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 542.934308] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2422 Mhz)
[ 542.934316] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2422 MHz for scan
[ 543.282140] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 543.282149] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2427 Mhz)
[ 543.282157] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2427 MHz for scan
[ 543.627058] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 543.627067] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2432 Mhz)
[ 543.627075] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2432 MHz for scan
[ 543.959268] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 543.959277] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2437 MHz for scan
[ 544.299796] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2442 MHz for scan
[ 544.632362] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2447 MHz for scan
[ 544.977034] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2452 MHz for scan
[ 545.325778] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2457 MHz for scan
[ 545.662590] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2462 MHz for scan
[ 545.999712] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2467 MHz for scan
[ 546.344446] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2472 MHz for scan
[ 546.673388] wlan0: failed to restore operational channel after scan
[ 552.028014] __ratelimit: 17 messages suppressed
[ 552.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 562.024932] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 572.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 582.028019] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 592.027832] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 602.022931] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 612.028017] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 622.004022] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 632.024024] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 642.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 652.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 662.028012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 672.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 672.583031] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 672.583051] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2417 Mhz)
[ 672.583060] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2417 MHz for scan
[ 672.921610] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 672.921619] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2422 Mhz)
[ 672.921627] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2422 MHz for scan
[ 673.285151] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 673.285160] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2427 Mhz)
[ 673.285168] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2427 MHz for scan
[ 673.665546] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 673.665555] ath5k phy0: ath5k_chan_set: unable to reset channel (2432 Mhz)
[ 673.665563] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2432 MHz for scan
[ 674.041830] ath5k phy0: failed to reset the MAC Chip
[ 674.041839] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2437 MHz for scan
[ 674.422010] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2442 MHz for scan
[ 674.758561] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2447 MHz for scan
[ 675.099110] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2452 MHz for scan
[ 675.447819] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2457 MHz for scan
[ 675.780690] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2462 MHz for scan
[ 676.125746] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2467 MHz for scan
[ 676.462574] wlan0: failed to set freq to 2472 MHz for scan
[ 676.835143] wlan0: failed to restore operational channel after scan
[ 682.028013] __ratelimit: 17 messages suppressed
[ 682.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 692.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 702.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 712.004014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 722.027812] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 732.028014] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 742.028012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 752.028013] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 762.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 772.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 782.004011] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 792.004012] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
[ 802.004011] ath5k phy0: noise floor calibration failed (2412MHz)
...

---------- Post updated 08-24-09 at 02:55 PM ---------- Previous update was 08-23-09 at 08:55 PM ----------

ok, I pulled out my wired card, and was able to get wireless to work, so the heat is off. However, I can't say for sure that it was the act of removing my 3com card that made the difference, or if it was just something I did differently in one of the Linux network utilities. So later I will pop my 3com card back in and try again so that I can pin down exactly what solved the problem. I'll post back in this thread with the results.

save a copy of dmesg so you can compare it with its output after putting back in the 3com card.

Have tried using Madwifi? Works awesome with atheros-based chipset.

MadWifi.net

No bud, haven't had time to check it out, I'm just getting my feet wet with the bare bones installation. but my initial research has certainly made me aware of its prominence. I'll be sure to look into it. right now wireless is working with only the atheros card in the box, I guess I'll find out if it still works when I pop my wired card back in as well.

If I do manage to get things working with both cards in the box do you see any value in installing the Madwifi anyway?

right now my priority is to get some basic services up and running on the home network, such as ssh and some file and print sharing services.

The driver itself allows for far greater capabilities than NDIS wrapping or even native drivers. Allows you to run in higher modes: Master mode (act as a wireless access point), or Monitor mode (allows for wireless packet sniffing).

Really depends if you need this type of capability as to whether you would install it.

That's useful to know. That kind of stuff is not a requirement, but at some point I might want to experiment with stuff like that for learning purposes, so I'll keep MadWiFi on my list of possibilities for the future. thanks for the tips. cheers.

---------- Post updated 08-25-09 at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous update was 08-24-09 at 10:42 PM ----------

OK, I managed to get it wireless working with both cards in the box. without extra effort. As far as I can see, Linux did not automatically connect to the wireless network, I had to select it first time through, after that it connected automatically on boot. The fact that the neighbor also has a wireless network that intrudes into my space may have played a role. I can still post the the new dmesg if you want to see it.

But now I have created a new problem. It seems that in re-inserting my wired NIC I managed to blow out my video driver? I was configured for 1024x768 with 85 hz refresh, but upon booting with the 2nd NIC inserted I reverted to 800x600 60hz. Furthermore, In the screen resolution applet of System Preferences, I have lost all my choices, there is just 640x480 and 800x600, with 60 and 54 hz refresh. Removing the 3com nic again (heavy sigh) did not remedy that situation.

So I guess I have new unintended research to do, unless anyone has a suggestion. Maybe I'll just say f*** it and re-install, since I haven't really done anything with my system yet.

What type of video card is it?

Off the top of my head, It's an older NVidia TNT something or other. 32 MB. I can't remember the exact model. It came with my Dell Dimension PIII.

p.s. when I unplugged the video cable before re-inserting the NIC, I forgot to power off the monitor first, and the monitor does "notice" those circumstances. But I've done that before, and it hasn't caused a problem.

Well you could try to recompile the driver for your kernel, might work.

If you want to try something really weird, try leaving your monitor off until the entire system boots up. I have a weird issue with my Suse box, with dual monitors. If the second monitor is on when it loads the graphics drivers, the font is super tiny. But if I leave the monitor off until after it loads the nvidia drivers it works just dream.

OK bud, no clue how to recompile a driver, but I'll do the research, it can't be that hard. One thing I have noticed is that there is usually excellent documentation available for this sort of thing, so it'll be a good learning experience.

nvidia drivers (like ati drivers) are a bit of a problem child.
try the following:

# apt-get install module-assistant nvidia-kernel-common  ##this will prep the system and install the module assistant
#m-a auto-install nvidia-kernel-source   ##this will start the module assistant, if not selected select the nvidia drivers

otherwise have a look at this page.

ATI video cards are way more problematic than nvidia cards in a *nix environment imo. I've always found that at least nvidia tries to take the initiative and offer drivers that are usually available via a repository depending on your distro.

@fguy - Don't forget, you more than likely will have to reinstall any custom drivers for devices if you upgrade your kernel

Thanks, duly noted for the future. I ended up re-installing anyways, not so much that I didn't want to deal with the video driver, but I wanted to revisit the install, and try to see if the install would work with wireless. As far as I could tell, it wasn't so much recognizing the wireless that was the problem, rather it did not recognize the existence of a dhcp server on the linksys box. But I was able to manually configure a fixed ip/subnet/gateway etc., after adjusting the ip range on the router so as not to cause a conflict. Right now I'm working without a GUI, I'll stick with that for a while and see how far I can take it. At the moment I can ping to the outside world using a domain name, but I couldn't connect to a mirror during the install. So right now I am focusing on basic TCP/IP

Lots of fun, I needed something new to play with and stay out of the bar. :slight_smile:

If some protocols work but not others on the same connection that still makes me suspect driver issues here.

When you say some protocols are you referring to the fact that DHCP didn't work but fixed IP did? hmm, I could see that, but I can tell you that I have been through a couple of installs, and at one point with the first install I had DHCP working on wireless after installing with a wired connection. It was only during the second install (the only wireless install) that DHCP on wireless didn't work. So I did a fixed ip and haven't bothered to change it.

So I guess you could say I never proved a cause for any of my problems, I just ended up going with one solution that worked without nailing down the other issues, which is unfortunate but I wanted to move on.

Perhaps, but wireless drivers that aren't completely mature can be ridiculously finicky. I've seen tutorials to get wireless working that included steps like "load this graphical wifi manager, quit it, and load it again, remove the module, reload it, and then it might work". Granted that was for broadcom and ndiswrapper. but out of everything I've tried I haven't found a wireless driver that works reliably and portably yet.