connection times out - but not under VirtualBox

[rebeltaz]

Last week, AT&T screwed up my internet by trying to install U-verse. I was lied to about the whole package and the technician couldn't even get half of it installed anyway. I had them cancel that and reinitialize the DSL connection. That has been the biggest hassle ever.

When they finally got the net back up (after a week) all of my other systems see it just fine, but my laptop is so slow that most of the time it times out before the pages ever load.

The weird thing is that I am in Firefox now under VirtualBox on the same machine and it works fine!

I have removed the connections from network-manager and let it find them again, I have removed/reinstalled network-manager, I have removed/reinstalled firefox... I don't know what else to do.

It's not just the internet that is affected, though. The laptop times out while trying to load the webpage interface for the modem/router as well. Like I said, none of my other systems (three ubuntu and one WIndows7) have a problem with this. And it fine on the same machine under VirtualBox. That is what gets me!

Oh, and accessing files on another computer over the local network from this laptop is fine as well...

This also seems to affect command line programs as well - ie. wget

[Kirk Schnable]

Unless AT&T gave you a new DSL router when reestablishing your connection, I doubt very much that this is a router or network problem, since it works under certain circumstances.

This sounds to me like a connectivity problem or a driver problem. How is this device connecting to your network? (Wired or wireless?)

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Unless AT&T gave you a new DSL router when reestablishing your connection, I doubt very much that this is a router or network problem, since it works under certain circumstances.

This sounds to me like a connectivity problem or a driver problem. How is this device connecting to your network? (Wired or wireless?)

Kirk

Yeah... I didn't think so either. This is a wireless connection. Other wireless connections to the same router are ok.

[Kirk Schnable]

Yeah... I didn't think so either. This is a wireless connection. Other wireless connections to the same router are ok.

Can you give me the output of:

ifconfig


iwconfig

If there are any signal strength problems or packets dropping those outputs will show them.

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Can you give me the output of:



derek@eMachines:~$ ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:1e:ec:c8:e5:90
UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:0 (0.0 B) TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)
Interrupt:27 Base address:0xc000

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
RX packets:10 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:10 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
RX bytes:580 (580.0 B) TX bytes:580 (580.0 B)

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:23:4d:8e:69:4d
inet addr:192.168.1.5 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::223:4dff:fe8e:694d/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:5159855 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:8190426 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:1215634240 (1.2 GB) TX bytes:2740743517 (2.7 GB)




derek@eMachines:~$ iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11bg ESSID:"home_server"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.442 GHz Access Point: 08:86:3B:31:10:D6
Bit Rate=54 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=46/70 Signal level=-64 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

[Kirk Schnable]

It looks like you have an IP, there were no dropped packets on your wireless interface, and your signal strength and signal quality are acceptable.

When you have difficulty getting to the Internet and your router page, how are your ping times to those IPs?

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

It looks like you have an IP, there were no dropped packets on your wireless interface, and your signal strength and signal quality are acceptable.

When you have difficulty getting to the Internet and your router page, how are your ping times to those IPs?

Kirk

The ping times themselves are about right. The problem is that either the ping command takes up to a minute to actually respond to the first ping request, or a portion of the packets are lost.



derek@eMachines:~$ ping www.google.com -c 10
PING www.l.google.com (74.125.134.104) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from gg-in-f104.1e100.net (74.125.134.104): icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=31.3 ms
64 bytes from gg-in-f104.1e100.net (74.125.134.104): icmp_seq=2 ttl=42 time=32.4 ms
64 bytes from gg-in-f104.1e100.net (74.125.134.104): icmp_seq=3 ttl=42 time=31.6 ms

--- www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 3 received, 70% packet loss, time 9052ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 31.328/31.822/32.442/0.463 ms




derek@eMachines:~$ ping www.google.com -c 10
PING www.l.google.com (74.125.130.105) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=31.6 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=2 ttl=42 time=31.3 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=3 ttl=42 time=32.0 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=5 ttl=42 time=31.6 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=7 ttl=42 time=31.8 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=9 ttl=42 time=34.4 ms
64 bytes from gh-in-f105.1e100.net (74.125.130.105): icmp_seq=10 ttl=42 time=31.6 ms

--- www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 7 received, 30% packet loss, time 9030ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 31.340/32.098/34.493/1.011 ms




derek@eMachines:~$ ping www.google.com -c 10
PING www.l.google.com (74.125.137.99) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=30.7 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=2 ttl=42 time=31.4 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=3 ttl=42 time=30.7 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=4 ttl=42 time=31.0 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=5 ttl=42 time=31.8 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=6 ttl=42 time=32.5 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=7 ttl=42 time=31.4 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=8 ttl=42 time=32.3 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=9 ttl=42 time=30.3 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=10 ttl=42 time=30.7 ms

--- www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 10 received, 0% packet loss, time 9013ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 30.396/31.346/32.564/0.712 ms




derek@eMachines:~$ ping 192.168.1.254
PING 192.168.1.254 (192.168.1.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=6 ttl=255 time=0.931 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=8 ttl=255 time=0.929 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=10 ttl=255 time=1.02 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=13 ttl=255 time=0.879 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=14 ttl=255 time=0.913 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=15 ttl=255 time=0.889 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=16 ttl=255 time=0.885 ms
^C
--- 192.168.1.254 ping statistics ---
16 packets transmitted, 7 received, 56% packet loss, time 15090ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.879/0.921/1.023/0.051 ms




derek@eMachines:~$ ping 192.168.1.254 -c 10
PING 192.168.1.254 (192.168.1.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.970 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.873 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=0.917 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=0.893 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=0.875 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=6 ttl=255 time=0.861 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=7 ttl=255 time=0.850 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=8 ttl=255 time=1.14 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=9 ttl=255 time=0.858 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.254: icmp_seq=10 ttl=255 time=1.09 ms

--- 192.168.1.254 ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 10 received, 0% packet loss, time 9001ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.850/0.933/1.140/0.104 ms

[Kirk Schnable]

The ping times look OK but you have tons of packet loss.

Could you keep an eye on your iwconfig while this problem is happening? Look for drops in signal strength and quality.


watch iwconfig

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

The ping times look OK but you have tons of packet loss.

Could you keep an eye on your iwconfig while this problem is happening? Look for drops in signal strength and quality.


watch iwconfig

Kirk

Signal strength and quality look ok. It doesn't vary much from this - maybe point or two either way.



derek@eMachines:~$ ping www.google.com
PING www.l.google.com (74.125.137.99) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=30.5 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=2 ttl=42 time=31.3 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=3 ttl=42 time=30.6 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=4 ttl=42 time=32.5 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=5 ttl=42 time=32.6 ms
^C
--- www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
31 packets transmitted, 5 received, 83% packet loss, time 30165ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 30.539/31.546/32.693/0.950 ms




wlan0 IEEE 802.11bg ESSID:"home_server"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.442 GHz Access Point: 08:86:3B:31:10:D6
Bit Rate=54 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=51/70 Signal level=-59 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0

[Kirk Schnable]

Signal strength and quality look ok. It doesn't vary much from this - maybe point or two either way.



derek@eMachines:~$ ping www.google.com
PING www.l.google.com (74.125.137.99) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=1 ttl=42 time=30.5 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=2 ttl=42 time=31.3 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=3 ttl=42 time=30.6 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=4 ttl=42 time=32.5 ms
64 bytes from yh-in-f99.1e100.net (74.125.137.99): icmp_seq=5 ttl=42 time=32.6 ms
^C
--- www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
31 packets transmitted, 5 received, 83% packet loss, time 30165ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 30.539/31.546/32.693/0.950 ms




wlan0 IEEE 802.11bg ESSID:"home_server"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.442 GHz Access Point: 08:86:3B:31:10:D6
Bit Rate=54 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=51/70 Signal level=-59 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:0 Missed beacon:0


Hmm, -59dBm is well within acceptable ranges for WiFi connections, and I'd consider a quality of 51/70 to be acceptable too.

I'm not sure I have an explanation for your problem yet. Are you certain that you haven't done any software updates on your Ubuntu machine since AT&T was there working on your connection? This seems like it could be a driver issue with your wireless card to me, but if you haven't updated it lately, there's not much reasson for it to break like this.

I know you said other wireless clients are working fine, but it might be worthwhile to run continuous pings side-by-side and see if you can find any pattern of packet loss on both clients. Some devices and protocols handle dropped packets better than others.

There's something else that this looks like to me. Wireless is a token-ring style topology, with the AP doing a certain interval of polling. This could happen due to incorrect polling taking place. I've seen issues like this in wireless point to multipoint links such as Motorola Canopy networks, when the GPS sync module goes bad and the device can't do accurate timing anymore. Obviously it is different with WiFi, but I suppose it's possible to have a problem like that on WiFi. When there's a polling problem on a Canopy network, the problem can sometimes be bandaged by pushing tons of data through the connection, to give your client higher polling priority.

^ Long story short. Try downloading a large file, maybe a Ubuntu ISO, and see if the packet loss improves while the connection is pushing a lot of data.

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Hmm, -59dBm is well within acceptable ranges for WiFi connections, and I'd consider a quality of 51/70 to be acceptable too.

I'm not sure I have an explanation for your problem yet. Are you certain that you haven't done any software updates on your Ubuntu machine since AT&T was there working on your connection? This seems like it could be a driver issue with your wireless card to me, but if you haven't updated it lately, there's not much reasson for it to break like this.

I know you said other wireless clients are working fine, but it might be worthwhile to run continuous pings side-by-side and see if you can find any pattern of packet loss on both clients. Some devices and protocols handle dropped packets better than others.

There's something else that this looks like to me. Wireless is a token-ring style topology, with the AP doing a certain interval of polling. This could happen due to incorrect polling taking place. I've seen issues like this in wireless point to multipoint links such as Motorola Canopy networks, when the GPS sync module goes bad and the device can't do accurate timing anymore. Obviously it is different with WiFi, but I suppose it's possible to have a problem like that on WiFi. When there's a polling problem on a Canopy network, the problem can sometimes be bandaged by pushing tons of data through the connection, to give your client higher polling priority.

^ Long story short. Try downloading a large file, maybe a Ubuntu ISO, and see if the packet loss improves while the connection is pushing a lot of data.

Kirk

I actually did download the Ubuntu 10.04 ISO last night in case I had to reinstall this system. I tried once through Firefox/Ubuntu, but it kept dropping the download speed to a point where it reported that it was going to take over two days to finish. I downloaded the same file through Firefox/WindowsXP in VirtualBox on the same machine and it finished in under 30 minutes.

I have done the side-by-side ping tests against anther laptop running Windows 7 over the same wireless connection and there is absolutely no packet loss on that computer.

And I haven't updated any files since I didn't have a network connection. Update Manager did try to update IceTea after I got the connection back, but what with the timeouts and lost packets, the update was unable to complete.

I'm telling you... when I have problems - they're doozies!

[Kirk Schnable]

Can you give me the output of:

lspci -v

I'd like to see if there might be driver related issues.

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Can you give me the output of:

lspci -v

I'd like to see if there might be driver related issues.

Kirk



derek@eMachines:~$ sudo lspci -v
[sudo] password for derek:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Memory Controller Hub (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information <?>
Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
Kernel modules: intel-agp

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 29
Memory at 90000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4M]
Memory at 80000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
I/O ports at 5110 [size=8]
Capabilities: [90] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3
Kernel driver in use: i915
Kernel modules: i915

00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at 93500000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1M]
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3

00:1a.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 20
I/O ports at 50e0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1a.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #5 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 21
I/O ports at 50c0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1a.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #2 (rev 03) (prog-if 20)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 21
Memory at 96705c00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] Debug port: BAR=1 offset=00a0
Capabilities: [98] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 22
Memory at 96700000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [60] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit+ Queue=0/0 Enable-
Capabilities: [70] Express Root Complex Integrated Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [130] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: HDA Intel
Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel

00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00004000-00004fff
Memory behind bridge: 95700000-966fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000090400000-00000000913fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=04, subordinate=04, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00003000-00003fff
Memory behind bridge: 94600000-956fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000091400000-00000000923fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=05, subordinate=05, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00001000-00002fff
Memory behind bridge: 93600000-945fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000092400000-00000000934fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
I/O ports at 50a0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at 5080 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 20
I/O ports at 5060 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #6 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
I/O ports at 5040 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1 (rev 03) (prog-if 20)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
Memory at 96705800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] Debug port: BAR=1 offset=00a0
Capabilities: [98] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 93) (prog-if 01)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=06, subordinate=06, sec-latency=32
Capabilities: [50] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation ICH9M LPC Interface Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information <?>
Kernel modules: iTCO_wdt

00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation ICH9M/M-E SATA AHCI Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 01)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 28
I/O ports at 5108 [size=8]
I/O ports at 511c [size=4]
I/O ports at 5100 [size=8]
I/O ports at 5118 [size=4]
I/O ports at 5020 [size=32]
Memory at 96705000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/4 Enable+
Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [a8] SATA HBA <?>
Capabilities: [b0] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ahci
Kernel modules: ahci

00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 11
Memory at 96706000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
I/O ports at 5000 [size=32]
Kernel modules: i2c-i801

00:1f.6 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) Thermal Subsystem (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: fast devsel, IRQ 11
Memory at 96704000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3

04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR5001 Wireless Network Adapter (rev 01)
Subsystem: AMBIT Microsystem Corp. Device 0428
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
Memory at 94600000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [50] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable-
Capabilities: [60] Express Legacy Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [90] MSI-X: Enable- Mask- TabSize=1
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting <?>
Capabilities: [140] Virtual Channel <?>
Kernel driver in use: ath5k
Kernel modules: ath5k

05:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 27
I/O ports at 1000 [size=256]
Memory at 92410000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=4K]
Memory at 92400000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=64K]
Expansion ROM at 92420000 [disabled] [size=64K]
Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [50] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit+ Queue=0/1 Enable+
Capabilities: [70] Express Endpoint, MSI 01
Capabilities: [b0] MSI-X: Enable- Mask- TabSize=2
Capabilities: [d0] Vital Product Data <?>
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting <?>
Capabilities: [140] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [160] Device Serial Number 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
Kernel driver in use: r8169
Kernel modules: r8169

[Kirk Schnable]

Alright, it looks like you're using [B]ath5k[/CODE] kernel module for your wireless.

Can you get me:

modinfo ath5k

And


uname -r

I'm still puzzled as to why it works in VirtualBox, as that should still go through the Ubuntu driver to get out to the WiFi. But let's look at your module version and go from there.

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Alright, it looks like you're using [B]ath5k[/CODE] kernel module for your wireless.

Can you get me:

modinfo ath5k

And


uname -r

I'm still puzzled as to why it works in VirtualBox, as that should still go through the Ubuntu driver to get out to the WiFi. But let's look at your module version and go from there.

Kirk



derek@eMachines:~$ modinfo ath5k
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.32-41-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/ath5k.ko
version: 0.6.0 (EXPERIMENTAL)
license: Dual BSD/GPL
description: Support for 5xxx series of Atheros 802.11 wireless LAN cards.
author: Nick Kossifidis
author: Jiri Slaby
srcversion: E4844FBE7F1B69B18941233
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Csv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Bsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000019sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000018sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000017sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000016sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000015sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000014sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00001014sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010B7d00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000A727d00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000012sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000011sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000007sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000207sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends: mac80211,led-class,cfg80211,ath
vermagic: 2.6.32-41-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 586
parm: nohwcrypt:Disable hardware encryption. (bool)
parm: all_channels:Expose all channels the device can use. (bool)




derek@eMachines:~$ uname -r
2.6.32-41-generic


The fact that it works under VirtualBox is confusing me as well. I assumed that it still relied on the native linux connection for access.

[Kirk Schnable]

Check this information out, you might find something of use here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Atheros

Also, would you be willing to try a 12.04 Live CD and see if the issue is fixed on the new kernel? That might give us a point of reference in regard of what to do next.

Kirk

[rebeltaz]

Check this information out, you might find something of use here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Atheros

Also, would you be willing to try a 12.04 Live CD and see if the issue is fixed on the new kernel? That might give us a point of reference in regard of what to do next.

Kirk

I tried the suggestions on the link you provided, but they didn't help.

Since I already had the image for the 10.04 (and I really don't like the new interface of 11+) I booted with that. I am using it right now to type this and it is the fastest I have ever seen!

I thought maybe running the same commands now (under the live disc) might help?



ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ sudo lspci -v
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Memory Controller Hub (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information <?>
Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
Kernel modules: intel-agp

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 29
Memory at 90000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4M]
Memory at 80000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
I/O ports at 5110 [size=8]
Capabilities: [90] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3
Kernel driver in use: i915
Kernel modules: i915

00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at 93500000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1M]
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3

00:1a.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 20
I/O ports at 50e0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1a.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #5 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 21
I/O ports at 50c0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1a.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #2 (rev 03) (prog-if 20)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 21
Memory at 96705c00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] Debug port: BAR=1 offset=00a0
Capabilities: [98] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 22
Memory at 96700000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [60] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit+ Queue=0/0 Enable-
Capabilities: [70] Express Root Complex Integrated Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [130] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: HDA Intel
Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel

00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00004000-00004fff
Memory behind bridge: 95700000-966fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000090400000-00000000913fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=04, subordinate=04, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00003000-00003fff
Memory behind bridge: 94600000-956fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000091400000-00000000923fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 03)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=05, subordinate=05, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00001000-00002fff
Memory behind bridge: 93600000-945fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000092400000-00000000934fffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable+
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link <?>
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
I/O ports at 50a0 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at 5080 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 20
I/O ports at 5060 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB UHCI Controller #6 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
I/O ports at 5040 [size=32]
Capabilities: [50] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1 (rev 03) (prog-if 20)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
Memory at 96705800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] Debug port: BAR=1 offset=00a0
Capabilities: [98] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 93) (prog-if 01)
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=06, subordinate=06, sec-latency=32
Capabilities: [50] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation ICH9M LPC Interface Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information <?>
Kernel modules: iTCO_wdt

00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation ICH9M/M-E SATA AHCI Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 01)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 28
I/O ports at 5108 [size=8]
I/O ports at 511c [size=4]
I/O ports at 5100 [size=8]
I/O ports at 5118 [size=4]
I/O ports at 5020 [size=32]
Memory at 96705000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
Capabilities: [80] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/4 Enable+
Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [a8] SATA HBA <?>
Capabilities: [b0] PCIe advanced features <?>
Kernel driver in use: ahci
Kernel modules: ahci

00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 11
Memory at 96706000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
I/O ports at 5000 [size=32]
Kernel modules: i2c-i801

00:1f.6 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 82801I (ICH9 Family) Thermal Subsystem (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: fast devsel, IRQ 11
Memory at 96704000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3

04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR5001 Wireless Network Adapter (rev 01)
Subsystem: AMBIT Microsystem Corp. Device 0428
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
Memory at 94600000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=64K]
Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [50] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit- Queue=0/0 Enable-
Capabilities: [60] Express Legacy Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [90] MSI-X: Enable- Mask- TabSize=1
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting <?>
Capabilities: [140] Virtual Channel <?>
Kernel driver in use: ath5k
Kernel modules: ath5k

05:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 016d
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 27
I/O ports at 1000 [size=256]
Memory at 92410000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=4K]
Memory at 92400000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=64K]
Expansion ROM at 92420000 [disabled] [size=64K]
Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [50] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit+ Queue=0/1 Enable+
Capabilities: [70] Express Endpoint, MSI 01
Capabilities: [b0] MSI-X: Enable- Mask- TabSize=2
Capabilities: [d0] Vital Product Data <?>
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting <?>
Capabilities: [140] Virtual Channel <?>
Capabilities: [160] Device Serial Number 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-00
Kernel driver in use: r8169
Kernel modules: r8169




ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ modinfo ath5k
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.32-38-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/ath5k.ko
version: 0.6.0 (EXPERIMENTAL)
license: Dual BSD/GPL
description: Support for 5xxx series of Atheros 802.11 wireless LAN cards.
author: Nick Kossifidis
author: Jiri Slaby
srcversion: E4844FBE7F1B69B18941233
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Csv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Bsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd0000001Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000019sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000018sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000017sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000016sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000015sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000014sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00001014sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v000010B7d00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000A727d00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000013sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000012sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000011sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000007sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v0000168Cd00000207sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends: mac80211,led-class,cfg80211,ath
vermagic: 2.6.32-38-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 586
parm: nohwcrypt:Disable hardware encryption. (bool)
parm: all_channels:Expose all channels the device can use. (bool)




ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ uname -r
2.6.32-38-generic

[rebeltaz]

So... I think I have this fixed. Let me start by saying that I have a Belkin N150 router set up as an Access Point for the Motorola Netopia DSL modem/router. When the u-verse "technician" came out to install u-verse, absolutely nothing was changed in either the Netopia or the Belkin router configurations. The "technician" did connect the set-top TV box to the Belkin though, which is, somehow, where all my troubles began.

Since one of my Roku devices was also having connections issues, just for the heck of it, I did a factory reset on the Belkin router and reconfigured it as an access point - just like it was.

As soon as I did that, this laptop has a steady connection, little to no dropped packets and a speedy response time.

I do not know what connecting the u-verse box to the Belkin did, but whatever it did, it screwed up something!

[rebeltaz]

In case anyone is curious about my trials and tribulations at the hands of AT&T U-Verse these past weeks, you can read my review/diatribe here:

http://www.robotsandcomputers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=419