Atheros AR9285 wireless problems, Ubuntu 9.10

[MCorreia]

I have the same problema, same wireless card...

I have been reading some threads about related issues, specifically the flaky connection Karmic has with wpa/wpa2 and hidden connections...

After reading a bit, it seems that there is something wrong with the Atheros drivers on Karmic's default 2.6.31 kernel. Many people recommended this fix:

sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-karmic-generic
sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-wireless-karmic-generic

Installing these packages should bring back backported drivers from the 2.6.32 kernel.

Most of them also recommended installing WICD, but i skipped that...

This solved my hidden connection problems and boosted up the connectivity a bit - not ideal yet...

My problem is only with WPA connections because WEP works fine. I only tried one of the packages - didn't know about the other - and the connection remained flaky. I have know installed both packages, but can't test it because i can't access/configure my connection to WPA. As soon as i can configure or access a WPA connection i'll try to say something...

In the meanwhile, i would apreciate feedback on if the packages work on AR9285...

[allsaythat]

Thanks, it worked beautifully.
It's probably a good idea not to use wicd, because when I installed it after using this fix it disabled all my wireless until I re-installed the gnome network manager.

[srailsback]

Thanks MCorreia - your solution worked perfectly!

[wesd3fer]

Thank you MCorreia! My network connection is so much better now. I have been getting aggravated with it's speed since I installed Ubuntu on my system a week ago. Those two installs worked beautifully.

-Wesd3fer

[bama7474]

Hey guys I've been reading alot about the AR9285 fix for weak wireless signals and the backports install got me up from 30% to 75% sitting in the exact same spot after a reboot. I appriciate everyones post, they definately help noobs like me. Just incase others are experiancing the same problem, this fix work for UNR 9.10 on a Toshiba NB305-N410BL with AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter...Thanks again!!!

[tdskate]

Worked like butter for me as well.

[silvari]

I used MCorreia's backports fix on my Toshiba NB205 running UNR 9.10 (I was experiencing weak-signal problems) and this worked like a charm.

[ninjaaron]

Worked. I have the same machine as the OP, Compaq Presario CQ61. Thanks.

[sudanmas]

I'm running Karmic Koala 9.10 on a Gateway netbook w/ an Atheros AR9285. Wireless throughput would drop from 75% down to 51% a few seconds after logging in.

Ran the first of the two commands mentioned on page 1

sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-karmic-generic

and I'm now able to get at least 85% signal strength - enough sit on the back deck in the sun with my nettop / lapbook and enjoy the weather.

And I agree that this post should be stickied. A simple fix to a difficult problem.

Rob

[deedsofhaphazzard]

This solution worked perfectly on my HP G62 144DX with the Atheros AR 9285. I now have a significantly stronger WiFi signal and am not experiencing disconnects anymore. Thanks a lot...