[SOLVED] RealTek RTL8188ce & Mageia2

[Canuck]

I installed kernel-firmware-nonfree 20120421-3.mga2.nonfree noarch.rpm on my Lenovo E520 with a RealTek RTL8188ce chipset

For a while I was able to connect to my wireless router. On several logins, I was able to immediately connect with my wireless router.

THEN, when I logged in, I was unable to connect. In fact, there was no connection, even though the dlink router was recognized.

I need help. Did I download the correct firmware package? What am I doing incorrectly?

AFTER POSTING THIS MESSAGE, I reinstalled kernel-firmware-nonfree 20120421-3.maa2.nonfree noarch.rpm NOW the wireless connects upon login. BUT for how long?
Do I have the right file? Why does my wireless work some times and then not work, when I boot again?

Help, please

[doktor5000]

Without more information, i can only ask my crystal ball.
Please show the output of

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lspcidrake -v | grep NET

and as root

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iwconfig

and

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iwlist wlan0 scan

[Canuck]

Here are the results of lspcidrake -v........:
lspcidrake -v \ grep NET
]$ lspcidrake -v |grep NET
rtl8192ce : Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.|RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter [NETWORK_OTHER] (vendor:10ec device:8176 subv:10ec subd:8195) (rev: 01)
r8169 : Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.|RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [NETWORK_ETHERNET] (vendor:10ec device:8168 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 06)

lo no wireless extensions.
iwconfig
wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:"dlink"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.462 GHz Access Point: 00:19:5B:4C:D2:D3
Bit Rate=54 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr=2347 B Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=70/70 Signal level=-40 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:3 Missed beacon:0

eth0 no wireless extensions.
iwlist wlan0 scan
wlan0 Scan completed :
Cell 01 - Address: 00:19:5B:4C:D2:D3
Channel:11
Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
Quality=70/70 Signal level=-40 dBm
Encryption key:off
ESSID:"dlink"
Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s
Bit Rates:9 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
Mode:Master
Extra:tsf=0000005dfe2102de
Extra: Last beacon: 22ms ago
IE: Unknown: 0005646C696E6B
IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C183048
IE: Unknown: 03010B
IE: Unknown: DD0600032F010001
IE: Unknown: 2A0100
IE: Unknown: 32041224606C
IE: Unknown: DD0900037F01010006FF7F
IE: Unknown: DD0C00037F020101020002A34000

[doktor5000]

Please edit your post and apply code-tags to those outputs: ftp://ftp.mandrivauser.de/rpm/rpm/extra ... e_tags.ogv

And as the connection works, you already have the right firmware.
Apart from that, which program are you using to connect, is it drakconnect/draknetcenter or maybe networkmanager?

[Canuck]

Sorry, but I do not know what 'code-tags' are, unless you mean the commands used to generate the output.

Also, I do not know if I am using drakconnect/draknetcenter or networkmanager. When working, the Mageia just connects.

[doktor5000]

Sorry, was a copy&paste error, here's the proper link with an explanation about code-tags and how to use them: ftp://ftp.mandrivauser.de/rpm/rpm/extra ... e_tags.ogv

Please post the output of

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ps faux | grep -i net

Another question: Are you aware that your wireless currently works unencrypted and transmits data for everybody to see?

[Canuck]

]$ ps faux | grep -i net

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root        20  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   11:52   0:00  \_ [netns]
root       636  0.0  0.2 890668  8192 ?        Ssl  11:53   0:01 /usr/sbin/NetworkManager --no-daemon
dale      5904  0.0  0.0   9680   900 pts/0    S+   12:23   0:00              |           \_ grep --color -i net
dale      2912  0.2  1.1 317888 46116 ?        Sl   11:53   0:04              \_ /usr/bin/perl /usr/bin/net_applet

[dale@localhost ~]$
[dale@localhost ~]$ su
Password:
[root@localhost dale]# iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

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wlan0     IEEE 802.11bgn  ESSID:off/any 
          Mode:Managed  Access Point: Not-Associated   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr=2347 B   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off

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eth0      no wireless extensions

]# iwlist wlan0 scan

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wlan0     Scan completed :
          Cell 01 - Address: 00:19:5B:4C:D2:D3
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=70/70  Signal level=-40 dBm 
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"dlink"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:9 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000623c6d8723
                    Extra: Last beacon: 106ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0005646C696E6B

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  IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C183048
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: DD0600032F010001
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32041224606C
                    IE: Unknown: DD0900037F01010006FF7F
                    IE: Unknown: DD0C00037F020101020002A34000

THE WIRELESS CONNECTION DID NOT CONNECT WITH THIS LOGIN However, I keep getting notification that the wireless is trying to connect and that it has failed. I am plugged in now with a cable to the router.

Yes, I am aware of my lack of encryption. I live on an acreage and there is no one around within transmission distance. However, I will encrypt if and when I can get this wireless issue solved.

[doktor5000]

Well, currently you have networkmanager and net_applet running, so they will race for the interfaces and conflict with each other, that's what you see currently.
You need to decide for one. I'd say just remove all networkmanager packages and then just reboot once or twice and observe if it's working.

[Canuck]

Seems to be working now. I removed the networkmanager packages 0.9.4.04.mga2 and networkmanager 0.9.4.1 1.mag2 chosing one involved the other for removal.
That did not work: as I could not even see any recognition that there was a wireless network. I reinstalled the two packages and then as instructed by a pop-up
used the command line

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 systemctl enable NetworkManager.service

Then my wireless worked and has done so through several reboots. So far, so good.

Will reply tomorrow before marking it solved.

Never did find net_applet I assume that it is still running. I do not know where it is and how to delete it.

[doktor5000]

Never did find net_applet I assume that it is still running. I do not know where it is and how to delete it.

net_applet should also be sitting in the system tray. It is auto-started by /etc/xdg/autostart/net_applet.desktop so just move that file somehwere else as root and it should not auto-start anymore.

When it's running, you can quit it via

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killall net_applet

[Canuck]

I moved net_applet.desktop by renaming it to net_applet.desktop.old

However, now I do not have any connection to wireless, although the router signal shows. "Connecting" runs for a while and then two popup statements appear in sequence
Connection failed: Activation of network failed
Disconnected: The network connection has been disconnected.

Even though I am using a wired connection to write this reply; the system (?) continues to attempt to connect and the 2 statements appear and reappear

[doktor5000]

Please now post again the output of

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ps faux | grep -i net

after a fresh boot.

[Canuck]

The problem has been solved. I deactivated

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/etc/xdg/autostart/net_applet.desktop

by renaming it to

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mv net_applet.desktop.old

.
Upon login the wireless is activated and connected.

Here is are the current results

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ps faux |grep -i net

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  @localhost ~]$ ps faux |grep -i net
root        20  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   14:31   0:00  \_ [netns]
root       664  0.0  0.1 316904  7108 ?        Ssl  14:32   0:00 /usr/sbin/NetworkManager --no-daemon
dale      2447  0.0  0.0   9680   900 pts/0    S+   14:37   0:00              |           \_ grep --color -i net


Thank you doktor5000 for the attentive help. I am curious, why are there two 'programs' for the wireless connection, which in my situation conflicted with each other?
I do not recall installing either program. Just curious. Is this a possible bug that should be reported?

[Canuck]

The success lasted one day. The wireless fails to connect now, began yesterday and continues.

I just disabled the HP Printer desktop applet which kept popping up (always urging that a Plug-in was needed. When I consent, the whole procedure to secure the plug-in always failed). The HP applet seemed to be interferring with its constant popping up and last night seemed to be interferring with the wireless. Since disabling the applet, I once again (it would appear) can login and connect to my wireless router.

The disabled applet is located:

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/etc/xdg/autostart/hplip-systray.desktop

IS IT POSSIBLE that the HP applet was interferring with my wireless connection?

[Canuck]

The wireless connection is not working. I have tried rebooting three times. Help needed.

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[dale@localhost ~]$ lspcidrake -v \ grep NET
rtl8192ce       : Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.|RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter [NETWORK_OTHER] (vendor:10ec device:8176 subv:10ec subd:8195) (rev: 01)
sdhci_pci       : Ricoh Co Ltd|Device e823 [SYSTEM_OTHER] (vendor:1180 device:e823 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 07)
r8169           : Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.|RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller [NETWORK_ETHERNET] (vendor:10ec device:8168 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 06)
i2c_i801        : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller [SERIAL_SMBUS] (vendor:8086 device:1c22 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
ahci            : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family 6 port SATA AHCI Controller [STORAGE_SATA] (vendor:8086 device:1c03 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
iTCO_wdt        : Intel Corporation|HM65 Express Chipset Family LPC Controller [BRIDGE_ISA] (vendor:8086 device:1c49 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c26 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 8 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c1e) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 4 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c16) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 3 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c14) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c12) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c10) (rev: b4)
snd_hda_intel   : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller (vendor:8086 device:1c20 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c2d subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
mei             : Intel Corporation|6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 [COMMUNICATION_OTHER] (vendor:8086 device:1c3a subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 04)
Card:Intel 810 and later: Intel Corporation|2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller [DISPLAY_VGA] (vendor:8086 device:0116 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 09)
unknown         : Intel Corporation|2nd Generation Core Processor Family DRAM Controller [BRIDGE_HOST] (vendor:8086 device:0104 subv:17aa subd:21e2) (rev: 09)
hub             : Linux 3.3.6-desktop-2.mga2 ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
hub             : Linux 3.3.6-desktop-2.mga2 ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
[dale@localhost ~]$ su
Password:
[root@localhost dale]# iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11bgn  ESSID:off/any 
          Mode:Managed  Access Point: Not-Associated   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr=2347 B   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
         
eth0      no wireless extensions.

[root@localhost dale]# iwlist wlan0 scan
wlan0     Scan completed :
          Cell 01 - Address: 00:19:5B:4C:D2:D3
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=68/70  Signal level=-42 dBm 
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"dlink"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:9 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=00000089f43dd181
                    Extra: Last beacon: 129ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0005646C696E6B
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C183048
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: DD0600032F010001
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32041224606C
                    IE: Unknown: DD0900037F01010006FF7F
                    IE: Unknown: DD0C00037F0201010C0002A34000

[root@localhost dale]#


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[root@localhost dale]# ps faux | grep -i net
root        20  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   11:43   0:00  \_ [netns]
root       669  0.2  0.1 595560  7488 ?        Ssl  11:43   0:01 /usr/sbin/NetworkManager --no-daemon
root      4607  0.0  0.0   9680   900 pts/0    S+   11:54   0:00              |                   \_ grep --color -i net


[doktor5000]

No, HP applet has nothing to do with wireless. And there are two programs for wireless as both alone don't support all hardware. networkmanager f.ex. can be used for many broadband (umts/edge/lte) modems, which won't work with the default tools. But i can't tell you why you got both of them. And they have always been conflicting, most people already know to use only one of those, or there are problems guaranteed.

As you still seem to have problems, i suggest to wipe out the whole wireless configs, remove networkmanager and then re-setup your wireless connection. Do the following:

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killall NetworkManager
urpme -a networkmanager
rm -f /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wlan0
rm -f /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/wireless.d/*

If something doesn't work, or you'e unsure, just ask.

Then you need to clean up your wireless keys from /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf with an editor as root, everything below the following lines should be removed

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# Wildcard match for SSID (plaintext APs only). This example select any
# open AP regardless of its SSID.
# network={
#       key_mgmt=NONE
# }

Then as root run drakconnect to setup your wireless connection, end in the summary, with all the checkboxes, as safety measure untick "interface can be controlled from networkmanager" or something along those lines.

[Canuck]

Performed all of the steps in last posting.
1) killall NetworkManager
to
rm -f /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/wireless.d/*

2) In gedit I removed all of the lines AFTER the ending of the segment which begins # Wildcard match for SSID...... and ending with # }

3) Ran drakconnect to setup wireless connection. Tried 3 times Response:
"Problems occurred during the network connectivity test"

What should I try next? Would a fresh install of Mageia 2 be a choice? If so, would I have to also install 'kernel-firmware-nonfree 20120421-3.mga2.nonfree noarch.rpm'?
or does Drakconnect install the needed files for my router?

[doktor5000]

3) Ran drakconnect to setup wireless connection. Tried 3 times Response:
"Problems occurred during the network connectivity test"

No more firmware needed, otherwise the device wouldn't be able to scan for and see your wireless network (ssid dlink)

For the test, this fails quite often, as the timeout for the test is really low, but for some connections to come up it takes more time.
Did you try if you have internet access, or if you can access your router's configuration page or something on your local network?

Please show the output of iwconfig

[Canuck]

EMBARRASSED
In frustration, this morning I did another fresh install, only this time a Slackware distribution (Vector) which I know (from the live version) recognizes the Realtex chipset. Worked fine, but then lost connection. Rebooting helped, but not for long. A few minutes ago to eliminate the Router as the problem, I booted up a netbook that has wireless. Connected to my router. Simultaneously, I ran my Lenovo laptap with Vector. Bingo, problem solved. In a few minutes the Lenovo wireless disconnected and could not be reconnected w/o a reboot. The netbook remains connected.
Conclusion: My Lenovo laptop is the source of the problem! Not Mageia (or for that matter, Vector). Time for a new laptop???

Thank you for all of your efforts. The having a connection and then after a while, losing it should have been my first clue. Mark this SOLVED???

[isadora]

Marking it solved, and saving for a new laptop.

[doktor5000]

Well, depends on whether you want to buy a new laptop or not
You can try to troubleshoot this further, but it's quite complicated and rather difficult to do only via remote guidance...

[Canuck]

Performed an acid test. Ran two laptops with wireless connected to the same router. The Lenovo failed three times (using another distribution) just as it had using Mageia.

Good news is that the Lenovo is still under warranty and will be repaired with a new wireless card.

Thanks for all of the effort and help to this point.

[doktor5000]

Good news is that the Lenovo is still under warranty and will be repaired with a new wireless card.

That might not help, i'm afraid the card isn't really broken. It's malfunctioning, but not defective.
Seems this is only a compatibilty problem. One user over at the german Mageia forums for example already
has two different wireless access points, who don't want to comunicate properly with his lenove laptops nor with his Ipods.

If it's a standard issue mini-pci wireless card, that is easily replacable and costs something like 25$ or so.
But you may as well first try to getit repaired, maybe it's really a hardware problem with the wireless card.

[Canuck]

Success!

The RealTex wireless card was replaced. As predicted in this thread, the card was likely not the problem. My solution, which is working fine (so far ?) was to do a clean install using Mageia 2 Live CD 64 bit. Using it as a live CD, my router wireless signal was easily detected and remained connected. I chose, the option to install from the Live CD. My wireless connects flawlessly and stays connected. I have added a few programs from the additional repositories and now my Lenovo laptop E520 is working the way I had hoped.

It would appear (I am certainly not an expert) that my original install using the DVD Mageia2 and my subsequent efforts to add the needed driver for the wireless card, RealTex RTL8188ce, contributed to the problems I was having with connecting and with sustaining the connection.

I would appreciate any other comments that might help me understand why this solution works. I am pleased to be back; to having Mageia 2 on my laptop with a working wireless connection. I will soon mark this thread as being solved.