[Kernel-packages] [Bug 1365844] Re: 0bda:8178 buggy driver rtl8192cu

2014-10-04 Thread paraquat
Hello Chris, I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. The
truth is that none of the hoped-for fixes in the upstream kernels
worked. I waited awhile to see if things would get better, but they have
not.

Here are my latest experiments, and the results...

I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 14.10-beta2 today, and after updating
it, the kernel (as identified by the output of uname -r) was
3.16.0-20-generic. That had the same bug, so no joy there.

I then went and downloaded the latest package for the latest upstream
kernel:

linux-
headers-3.17.0-031700rc7-generic_3.17.0-031700rc7.201409281835_amd64.deb

Installed this, rebooted, and confirmed that I was now running kernel
3.17.0-031700rc7-generic. But wireless was broken as before.

Removed the upstream kernel, ran update-grub just to be sure the system
would be bootable, and rebooted. Back in kernel 3.16.0-20-generic and
applied my workaround. A reboot later and I was OK, wireless fixed, but
not in a nice way.

I decided to give another distro a try, in particular, Linux Mint
Debian, which is based on Debian Testing. Same bug exists there, and
same workaround solves it. This is running kernel 3.11-2-amd64.

Well, at least it's not just a Ubuntu thing.

Let me know if you have any other experiments that you would like me to
try.

best regards,
Paraquat

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1365844

Title:
  0bda:8178 buggy driver rtl8192cu

Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  Ubuntu 14.04/14.10 driver rtl8192cu for a Realtek USB wireless card is
  buggy. I can connect to wifi, but soon the connection is dropped.

  WORKAROUND: 1. First check whether the buggy driver rtl8192cu is active in 
your operating system. Execute at a terminal window:
  lsmod | grep rtl

  2. Disconnect your wireless connection (unplug the USB adapter that
  contains the Realtek chipset), and temporarily connect to the internet
  by means of an ethernet cable (or by means of another wireless chipset
  that does function well).

  3. Now install some applications for building the right driver via a terminal:
  sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic build-essential dkms git

  4. Now download the source code of the driver via a terminal:
  git clone https://github.com/pvaret/rtl8192cu-fixes.git

  5. Set it up as a DKMS module via a terminal:
  sudo dkms add ./rtl8192cu-fixes

  6. Build and install the new driver via a terminal:
  sudo dkms install 8192cu/1.9

  7. Refresh the module list via a terminal:
  sudo depmod -a

  8. Blacklist the faulty driver via a terminal:
  sudo cp ./rtl8192cu-fixes/blacklist-native-rtl8192.conf /etc/modprobe.d/

  9. Reboot your computer. The problem should now be solved: disconnect the 
temporary ethernet cable and insert the Realtek device again. With the 
following terminal command you can check whether the right driver is active now 
(copy and paste it into the terminal):
  lsmod | grep 8192

  Note: a possibly surprising side effect might be, that the light on
  your wireless card is blinking constantly now. That's normal: the
  light is blinking whenever data are being sent or received.

  Source: https://github.com/pvaret/rtl8192cu-fixes

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
  Package: linux-headers-3.13.0-24 3.13.0-24.47
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-35.62-generic 3.13.11.6
  Uname: Linux 3.13.0-35-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.3
  Architecture: amd64
  AudioDevicesInUse:
   USERPID ACCESS COMMAND
   /dev/snd/controlC0:  bob1852 F pulseaudio
   /dev/snd/controlC1:  bob1852 F pulseaudio
  CurrentDesktop: LXDE
  Date: Fri Sep  5 14:02:05 2014
  HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=6d790ec4-ec3d-43a7-ab1a-c4b574e60673
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-20 (107 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr - Release amd64 (20140417)
  MachineType: ASUS All Series
  PackageArchitecture: all
  ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
  ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-35-generic 
root=UUID=37f58aeb-6419-4ca6-a667-002bb0791572 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-35-generic N/A
   linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-35-generic  N/A
   linux-firmware 1.127.5
  RfKill:

  SourcePackage: linux
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
  dmi.bios.date: 01/07/2014
  dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
  dmi.bios.version: 0803
  dmi.board.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
  dmi.board.name: H81I-PLUS
  dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
  dmi.board.version: Rev X.0x
  dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
  dmi.chassis.type: 3
  dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
  dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
  dmi.modalias: 
dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr0803:bd01/07/2014

[Kernel-packages] [Bug 1365844] [NEW] buggy driver rtl8192c

2014-09-05 Thread paraquat
Public bug reported:

Driver rtl8192c for a Realtek USB wireless card is buggy. I can connect
to wifi, but soon the connection is dropped.

This particular bug has probably been around awhile. Others have
reported it, though I cannot find such reports here in Launchpad even
with a search.

A solution for this bug has already been found and published by
programmers. I used this solution - it works. I will post it below in
its entirety.

I am running Ubuntu 14.04. When I discovered this problem, I downloaded
and tried Ubuntu 14.10-beta_1 and was surprised to see that it still has
this bug. So I am reporting it now in the hopes that it will be fixed
before the final 14.10 release.

OK, no more talk from me. Below is the info I found online, raw and
uncut...

=

Wireless Realtek chipsets that are running on the default rtl8192cu
driver, often loses connection and run below their proper speed. That's
because of a bug in the rtl8192cu driver.

For instance, this Realtek chipset is present in the Medion MD 86498 USB
wireless dongle. The chipsets involved, are the RTL8192CU and the
RTL8188CU.

Luckily there's a solution that'll make such a chipset run stable and fast, 
namely replacing the defective driver by a better one. This solution is 
necessary for the following operating systems:
- Ubuntu 12.04
- Linux Mint 13
- Ubuntu 14.04
- Linux Mint 17

This is how to do it:


1. First check whether the buggy driver rtl8192cu is active in your operating 
system.

Open a terminal window:

Click on the grey Ubuntu logo (Dash home). Query: terminal. 
Click on Terminal.

Use copy/paste to transfer the following line into the terminal:

lsmod | grep rtl

Press Enter.

When you see one or more times rtl8192cu in the terminal output, then
it's active. In that case proceed with step 2.


2. Disconnect your wireless connection (unplug the USB adapter that contains 
the Realtek chipset), and temporarily connect to the internet by means of an 
ethernet cable (or by means of another wireless chipset that does function 
well).


3. Now install some applications for building the right driver. 

Open a terminal window:

Click on the grey Ubuntu logo (Dash home). Query: terminal. 
Click on Terminal.

Type (use copy/paste):

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic build-essential dkms git

Press Enter and submit your password. Please note that the password will
remain invisible, not even asterisks will show, which is normal.

Wait until the installation has completed.


4. Now download the source code of the right driver as follows. Copy and paste 
the following command line into the terminal:

git clone https://github.com/pvaret/rtl8192cu-fixes.git

Press Enter.


5. Set it up as a DKMS module: 

Copy and paste into the terminal:

sudo dkms add ./rtl8192cu-fixes

Press Enter and if prompted, submit your password. Please note that the
password will remain invisible, not even asterisks will show, which is
normal.


6. Build and install the new driver: 

Copy and paste into the terminal:

sudo dkms install 8192cu/1.9

Press Enter.


7. Refresh the module list:

Copy and paste into the terminal:

sudo depmod -a

Press Enter.


8. Blacklist the faulty driver:

Copy and paste into the terminal:

sudo cp ./rtl8192cu-fixes/blacklist-native-rtl8192.conf /etc/modprobe.d/

Press Enter.


9. Reboot your computer.


10. The problem should now be solved: disconnect the temporary ethernet cable 
and insert the Realtek device again.

With the following terminal command you can check whether the right
driver is active now (copy and paste it into the terminal):

lsmod | grep 8192

Press Enter.

In the terminal output you should see that the new driver 8192cu is
active. You should see no mention anymore of the old driver rtl8192cu.

Note: a possibly surprising side effect might be, that the light on your
wireless card is blinking constantly now. That's normal: the light is
blinking whenever data are being sent or received.


Source: https://github.com/pvaret/rtl8192cu-fixes

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: linux-headers-3.13.0-24 3.13.0-24.47
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-35.62-generic 3.13.11.6
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-35-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.3
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USERPID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0:  bob1852 F pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1:  bob1852 F pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: LXDE
Date: Fri Sep  5 14:02:05 2014
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=6d790ec4-ec3d-43a7-ab1a-c4b574e60673
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-20 (107 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr - Release amd64 (20140417)
MachineType: ASUS All Series
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-35-generic 
root=UUID=37f58aeb-6419-4ca6-a667-002bb0791572 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-35-generic N/A