Dell precision M4700: Wireless failed after ubuntu 12.04 updating

[chili555]

May we see:

sudo dpkg -s bcmwl-kernel-source | head -n5
lsmod | grep -e b43 -e brcm -e wl
dmesg | grep -e b43 -e wl

[rbaena]

Hi, here you are:

sudo dpkg -s bcmwl-kernel-source | head -n5
Package: bcmwl-kernel-source
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: admin
Installed-Size: 4174

lsmod | grep -e b43 -e brcm -e wl
wl 3074895 0
cfg80211 205774 1 wl
lib80211 14381 2 lib80211_crypt_tkip,wl

dmesg | grep -e b43 -e wl | more
[170049.077022] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170049.077026] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170049.077174] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170049.077179] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170051.073213] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170051.073216] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170053.068357] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170053.068365] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170055.063480] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170055.063483] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170055.063531] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170055.063533] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170057.058588] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170057.058595] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170059.053488] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170059.053491] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170061.050182] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170061.050190] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170061.050307] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170061.050311] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170063.043156] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170063.043159] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170065.037855] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170065.037858] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170067.034091] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170067.034094] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
etc etc until 2 or 3 pages more

[chili555]

I also post some useful information:

kernel: 3.2.0-37-generic
desktop KDE
ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS

Conratulations! You are the proud owner of an official bug! You lucky guy/gal/cyborg! https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...r/+bug/1114281

Since update to 3.2.0-37 wireless is broken.

A patch is referred to and, frankly, I am not at all sure how to apply it.

We could try building bcmwl-kernel-source from Broadcom's own package and amend it slightly here: http://forums.fedoraforum.org/archiv.../t-280821.html

You could also boot into a previous version, 3.2.0-36-generic, for example, remove the linux-image for -37 and wait until a fix is implemented.

I will be glad to assist you in any way I can. What do you prefer?

[rbaena]

Aaaah! Yes, I feel happy and proud of myself!!

I would be even more happy if I had not updated the kernel. Anyway, yes, I think the best option for me now is to come back to version 3.2.0-36-generic and wait until this is fix.

Can you tell me how to go on now? I hope it is enough an apt-get remove.

Should I need to be connected to internet? In that case I will have to wait until tomorrow to have a cable at work.

Thanks for your help =D>

[chili555]

Can you tell me how to go on now?

Yes. Reboot and in the first few moments of the boot process, press and hold Shift. The GRUB menu will appear. It may take a quick hand and a couple of tries. Please see attached.

Select the -36 version, or any version older than the faulty -37, with the arrow keys. Boot into it. Then open Synaptic Package Manager and look for linux-image-3.2.0-37-generic. Right-click it and select 'Mark for Complete Removal.' Do the same for linux-image-generic. Click 'Apply' and you should be all set.

When Update Manager pops up a few days from now and wants to install updates, no linux-image should be offered and won't until you re-install linux-image-generic, the 'always update' package. However, I'd check carefully and decline the updates if linux-image is included. If so, post back and we'll sort it out.

You might bookmark the bug I linked and check back to see when a fix is released.

[rbaena]

OK thanks.

Just to be sure I am not going to do anything wrong. Once I boot with -36 version I have to remove the following two packages:

linux-image-3.2.0-37-generic
linux-image-generic

In future, can I still do apt-get update/upgrade on my own?

Cheers

[chili555]

OK thanks.

Just to be sure I am not going to do anything wrong. Once I boot with -36 version I have to remove the following two packages:

linux-image-3.2.0-37-generic
linux-image-generic

In future, can I still do apt-get update/upgrade on my own?

Cheers

Yes, exactly. Watch carefully for updates to linux-image and decline if there should be any, although the removal of linux-image-generic should prevent it.

[rbaena]

Hi, before proceeding with the removal of these two packages I have two more doubts.

A) I have booted with the previous linux version, i.e. 3.2.0-35. The wireless connection is not working either. I had expected to be able to make the connection with this kernel.

B) If I try to mark any of these two packages, Synaptic also asks for the removal of the package linux-generic. Is this really safe? I mean, will the system go back to the previous version automatically?

Best

[chili555]

I thought the trouble started on upgrade and that the wireless was working as expected prior to 3.2.0-37. No? Before we proceed, let's get the wireless working reliably. Is bcmwl-kernel-source installed?

sudo dpkg -s bcmwl-kernel-source | head -n5

Is the message the same as here?

dmesg | grep wl

[170049.077022] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170049.077026] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[170049.077174] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[170049.077179] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)

Synaptic also asks for the removal of the package linux-generic. Is this really safe?

I am sure it is. linux-generic is not installed on my system at all. Is that all that is proposed to remove?

[rbaena]

>I thought the trouble started on upgrade and that the wireless was working as >expected prior to 3.2.0-37. No?

Indeed it was!

From the previous version I get

rbaena@fajnmp2:~$ uname -a
Linux fajnmp2 3.2.0-35-generic #55-Ubuntu SMP Wed Dec 5 17:42:16 UTC 2012 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

rbaena@fajnmp2:~$ sudo dpkg -s bcmwl-kernel-source | head -n5
[sudo] password for rbaena:
Package: bcmwl-kernel-source
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: admin
Installed-Size: 4174

rbaena@fajnmp2:~$ dmesg | grep wl
[ 8.980341] wl: module license 'MIXED/Proprietary' taints kernel.
[ 9.004502] wl 0000:03:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
[ 9.004517] wl 0000:03:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 9.035433] INFO @wl_cfg80211_attach : Registered CFG80211 phy

Now I try to connect to the wireless and...

rbaena@fajnmp2:~$ dmesg | grep wl
[ 8.980341] wl: module license 'MIXED/Proprietary' taints kernel.
[ 9.004502] wl 0000:03:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17
[ 9.004517] wl 0000:03:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 9.035433] INFO @wl_cfg80211_attach : Registered CFG80211 phy
[ 249.043394] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[ 249.043397] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[ 280.996639] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[ 280.996647] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[ 280.996779] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[ 280.996784] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[ 282.989797] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[ 282.989805] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[ 284.986043] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)
[ 284.986051] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rssi (-1)
[ 286.981931] ERROR @wl_cfg80211_get_station : Could not get rate (-1)

etc, etc...

The same window as I mentioned at the beginning of this thread (the one with a "key" as a symbol) has appeared asking for a password.

Cheers