12.10 with dell 1350 mini pci b43 installed but keeps disconnecting

[userqq]

Hi, I see a fair amount of posts and solutions for this and im pretty sure I tried most of them. After 3 days now I need to ask for help.
Computer is Dell inspiron 9100 with Dell wireless 1350 mini PCI. I have the b43 driver installed and it works but keeps disconnecting randomly , (maybe every 5 mins then 30 secs then 2 mins etc)

Looking at this page and following instructions there https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...Driver/bcm43xx

run command
lspci -vvnn | grep 14e4

the result is:
Subsystem: Broadcom Corporation Device [14e4:4d64]
02:00.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4401 100Base-T [14e4:4401] (rev 01)
02:03.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4306 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4320] (rev 03)

So the wireless chip is BCM4306 (rev 03)
the pci id is [14e4:4320]

I installed the b43 driver by

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer


Wireless works but keeps switching from only 36, 48 and occasionally 54 mnps and like I said it keeps disconnecting randomly.

Im thinking that if I could just access the detailed connection options for the card (like in windows) I might be able to fix it.
Also I wonder if some 'auto connect' background program connecting to connical?? might be causing the problem.

Im trying to have ununtu along with windows on this computer because it is for my 15 yr old niece and I want to have a backup os for when she breaks windows It wont be an emergency to fix it. She is patiently waiting but meanwhile im pulling my hair out :/

I think I tried almost everything except the wrapper.
I would like to use the existing card but at this point I am thinking of just replacing the mini PCI card.
any ideas?
Thanks!

[Hadaka]

hi, give this a try...

sudo apt-get remove --purge b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer
sudo modprobe -r b43

then reset it..

sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer
sudo modprobe b43

from your post, I wasnt sure if you had loaded
the b43-fwcutter, why im suggesting this reset.
post back the results please.
thanks.
edit: also, your wifi card is b/g
if your router is b/g/n,please login to the router
and disable the N feature..if possible.

[userqq]

Hi and thanks, During the b43 install i think I saw the word " cutter" flash by in the terminal window but unsure. I will give it a try now and post back.

[userqq]

first set of commands

administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get remove --purge b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer
[sudo] password for administrator:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
b43-fwcutter* firmware-b43-installer* firmware-b43legacy-installer*
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 3 to remove and 303 not upgraded.
After this operation, 145 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]? y
(Reading database ... 148285 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing firmware-b43legacy-installer ...
Deleting old extracted firmware...
Purging configuration files for firmware-b43legacy-installer ...
Removing firmware-b43-installer ...
Deleting old extracted firmware...
Purging configuration files for firmware-b43-installer ...
Removing b43-fwcutter ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
administrator@ubuntu:~$

administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo modprobe -r b43 (wireless disconnected at this point)

Second set of commands

administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installerReading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 303 not upgraded.
Need to get 0 B/22.5 kB of archives.
After this operation, 111 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Selecting previously unselected package b43-fwcutter.
(Reading database ... 148271 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking b43-fwcutter (from .../b43-fwcutter_1%3a015-14_i386.deb) ...
Selecting previously unselected package firmware-b43-installer.
Unpacking firmware-b43-installer (from .../firmware-b43-installer_1%3a015-14_all.deb) ...
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Setting up b43-fwcutter (1:015-14) ...
Setting up firmware-b43-installer (1:015-14) ...
No chroot environment found. Starting normal installation
Your card is BCM4306/3 [14e4:4320] (rev 03), firwmare 5.100.138 will be used
--2013-03-23 16:50:21-- http://www.lwfinger.com/b43-firmware...00.138.tar.bz2
Resolving www.lwfinger.com (www.lwfinger.com)... 173.254.28.119
Connecting to www.lwfinger.com (www.lwfinger.com)|173.254.28.119|:80... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 13514651 (13M) [application/x-bzip2]
Saving to: `broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2'

100%[======================================>] 13,514,651 1.77M/s in 8.1s

2013-03-23 16:50:29 (1.59 MB/s) - `broadcom-wl-5.100.138.tar.bz2' saved [13514651/13514651]

Creating new firmware directory...
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/wl_apsta.o
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/wl_ap.o
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/linux/wl_sta.o
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/README
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/wlconfig_lx_shared
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/wl.mk
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/wl_default
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/wl_hnd
broadcom-wl-5.100.138/config/wlconfig_nomimo
This file is recognised as:
filename : wl_apsta.o
version : 666.2
MD5 : e1b05e268bcdbfef3560c28fc161f30e
Extracting b43/lp0initvals14.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0bsinitvals25.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals25.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals17.fw
Extracting b43/ucode17_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/ucode16_lp.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn1initvals27.fw
Extracting b43/lp2bsinitvals19.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn3bsinitvals21.fw
Extracting b43/ucode16_sslpn.fw
ucode time: 01:15:07
Extracting b43/ucode25_lcn.fw
Extracting b43/ucode21_sslpn.fw
Extracting b43/lp0bsinitvals14.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0initvals9.fw
Extracting b43/ucode20_sslpn.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1bsinitvals9.fw
Extracting b43/lp1initvals20.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0bsinitvals13.fw
Extracting b43/lp2initvals19.fw
Extracting b43/n2bsinitvals19.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn4bsinitvals22.fw
Extracting b43/ucode16_sslpn_nobt.fw
ucode date: 2011-02-23
Extracting b43/n1bsinitvals20.fw
Extracting b43/n1initvals20.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0bsinitvals5.fw
Extracting b43/ucode22_sslpn.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0initvals13.fw
Extracting b43/ht0initvals26.fw
Extracting b43/ucode33_lcn40.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn1bsinitvals20.fw
Extracting b43/lcn400bsinitvals33.fw
Extracting b43/ucode14.fw
Extracting b43/a0g0initvals5.fw
Extracting b43/lp1bsinitvals22.fw
Extracting b43/n16initvals30.fw
Extracting b43/lp0bsinitvals16.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1bsinitvals25.fw
Extracting b43/lcn400initvals33.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals24.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2bsinitvals26.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1initvals26.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals22.fw
Extracting b43/n18initvals32.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2initvals26.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1bsinitvals5.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals11.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2initvals24.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0initvals26.fw
Extracting b43/n0absinitvals11.fw
Extracting b43/ucode21_sslpn_nobt.fw
ucode time: 01:15:07
Extracting b43/ucode26_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/n2initvals19.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn3initvals21.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1bsinitvals13.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn4initvals22.fw
Extracting b43/pcm5.fw
Extracting b43/ucode22_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/ucode9.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2initvals25.fw
Extracting b43/lp1initvals22.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn1bsinitvals27.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0initvals24.fw
Extracting b43/ucode32_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/a0g0bsinitvals9.fw
Extracting b43/n18bsinitvals32.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals24.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals25.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1initvals5.fw
Extracting b43/ucode24_lcn.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals17.fw
Extracting b43/n0bsinitvals16.fw
Extracting b43/lp0initvals15.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0initvals5.fw
Extracting b43/ucode20_sslpn_nobt.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1initvals24.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn0initvals16.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1initvals13.fw
Extracting b43/lp1bsinitvals20.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn2initvals19.fw
Extracting b43/a0g1initvals9.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1bsinitvals24.fw
Extracting b43/ucode5.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2bsinitvals24.fw
Extracting b43/lp0bsinitvals13.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals16.fw
Extracting b43/ucode19_sslpn_nobt.fw
Extracting b43/b0g0bsinitvals9.fw
Extracting b43/ucode11.fw
Extracting b43/lp0initvals16.fw
Extracting b43/ucode16_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0bsinitvals26.fw
Extracting b43/ht0initvals29.fw
Extracting b43/lcn2bsinitvals25.fw
Extracting b43/a0g0initvals9.fw
Extracting b43/ucode29_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0bsinitvals24.fw
Extracting b43/ucode19_sslpn.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1initvals25.fw
Extracting b43/ucode30_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/n16bsinitvals30.fw
Extracting b43/ucode25_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/ucode24_mimo.fw
Extracting b43/ucode27_sslpn.fw
Extracting b43/lp0initvals13.fw
Extracting b43/a0g0bsinitvals5.fw
Extracting b43/ht0bsinitvals26.fw
Extracting b43/ucode13.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn2bsinitvals19.fw
Extracting b43/ucode15.fw
Extracting b43/lp0bsinitvals15.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals11.fw
Extracting b43/lcn0initvals25.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn0bsinitvals16.fw
Extracting b43/sslpn1initvals20.fw
Extracting b43/lcn1bsinitvals26.fw
Extracting b43/n0initvals22.fw
Extracting b43/ht0bsinitvals29.fw
administrator@ubuntu:~$


administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo modprobe b43 (connection re=established)

closed terminal and unplugged wired connection
connected at 36 mbps
Restarting computer

I will be right back

[userqq]

Ok restarted the computer
connected at 54 mbps
Got an error on restart evolution-calebdar crashed with SIGABRT (took a pic
(I dont think it's related, In the end of the report it says "need to update.....xx.xx etc ,probably a new install" (which is true.)

I will go ahead and open update manager and update and reply back again

BTW: Stayed connected for 13 mins before disconnected for approx 10 secs.

Edit to add second pic of software updater 'additional drivers unknown device' maybe this is the wireless card??

200+ mb of updates now (disconnected for 5 secs 10 minutes on )
BRB

[Hadaka]

hi, looks good so far..and yes running
the updates from update mgr. is a good thing.
when that is done, please open a terminal
ctrl/alt/t and do..

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

the "update sometimes catches things
the update mgr. did not do.
the "upgrade"does not upgrade your
ubuntu release version, it upgrades
the kernel and your loaded ubuntu software.
also..36..to..54 is perfectly normal and acceptable
everyone would love a constant 54..or higher..but
reality is...not going to happen. be concerned if it
drops..to ...1..or 11

[userqq]

ok did update through updater and the last commands here is the output

administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get update
[sudo] password for administrator:
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security Release.gpg
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security Release
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates Release.gpg
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/main i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/main i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/main Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/universe Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/main Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/universe Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/main i386 Packages
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com quantal-security/universe Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/restricted i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/universe i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/multiverse i386 Packages
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/main Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/multiverse Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/restricted Translation-en
Hit http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/universe Translation-en
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://archive.ubuntu.com quantal-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Reading package lists... Done

administrator@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
administrator@ubuntu:~$

Well, thank you, I was concerned that I might have conflicting drivers so that isn't the case for sure now.
(just disconnected again for a few seconds and now as im typing it did it again this time for about 10 secs :/

I will restart the computer again and prepare to turn off the wireless 'N' ,
I will go ahead and do that now. it would be good to know if that is the issue.
Post back again shortly.

[userqq]

well I cant find a way in my router settings to turn off wireless 'n' but I dont think it's that anyway, it is using compatibility mode.
: Like I said it would be nice to know for the communitys sake but It wont make any differrence in my case because Im giving it to my niece and she will log in at differrent locations (with 'n' enabled.

What I think:
1: The card is maybe changing channels

It would really be nice if I could access the advanced settings for the card and just fix it on one channel.
There is also the possibility that the driver may not be a US (ch 1_11)..remote possibility but still..


2: Another background service is activating and disturbing the connection

Take a look at the screenshot where the computer has 4 libtorrent connections

libtorrent/0.16 at 192.168.1.3:52572
libtorrent/0.16 at 192.168.1.3:45275
libtorrent/0.16 at 192.168.1.3:6881
libtorrent/0.16 at 192.168.1.3:6881

Since I didnt install any torrent connections I can only this is a connical thing IDK????

Take a look at the screenshots. Im really NOT liking those 'libtorrent' connections.
Thank you and please let me know if any ideas come to mind.

oh yeah, that second shot says 1 mbps (as you can tell im done for today LOL)

[Hadaka]

Hi, try changing your router access password
and see if those drop.

[userqq]

I will do that (ps, back up to 36 to 54 mbps , I think the 1 mbps was a fluke that was just for a second, I added the pic for fun.
BTW, do you know if theres any way to keep card on one particular channel? Meaning I want to switch from automatic channel selection to just stay on channel 11. I want to prove OR rule out channel switching.

Thanks for your continued help

EDIT: I am once again connected at 1 mbps and holding, So not a fluke, Maybe something about the updates. I am going back to the original commands you gave me to uninstall and reinstall b43.