Wifi drops out ramdomly (Atheros 9285 network card, Ubuntu 9.10)

How do I correct title and spell randomly correctly? lol

Jole - have you tried installing linux-backports-modules-generic? It contains the 2.6.32 kernel version of the wireless stack.

Hi Tim,

I have found some information on the backports, however my time schedule
does not permit me from working on the project right now, I will get back to
the project on Friday when I have some time. Thank you for the lead, and I
will let you know from there. Thanks again.

Joel

On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 7:23 AM, Tim Gardner <email address hidden>wrote:

> Jole - have you tried installing linux-backports-modules-generic? It
> contains the 2.6.32 kernel version of the wireless stack.
>
> ** Package changed: linux-firmware (Ubuntu) => linux-meta (Ubuntu)
>
> ** Changed in: linux-meta (Ubuntu)
> Importance: Undecided => Low
>
> ** Changed in: linux-meta (Ubuntu)
> Status: New => In Progress
>
> ** Changed in: linux-meta (Ubuntu)
> Assignee: (unassigned) => Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)
>
> ** Package changed: linux-meta (Ubuntu) => linux-backports-
> modules-2.6.31 (Ubuntu)
>
> --
> wifi will drop out at ramdomly, I am using a Toshiba NB205 with ubuntu 9.1
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/493342
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “linux-backports-modules-2.6.31” package in Ubuntu: In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: linux-firmware
>
> This were some of the entries that I found in my /etc/var/syslog file
> Dec 7 00:47:09 joey-laptop kernel: [ 4373.980063] wlan0: no probe response
> from AP 00:25:84:03:bf:f0 - disassociating
> Dec 7 00:47:09 joey-laptop NetworkManager: <info> (wlan0): supplicant
> connection state: completed -> disconnected
>
> This is what I found when running a lshw command:
> *-network
> description: Wireless interface
> product: AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express)
> vendor: Atheros Communications Inc.
> physical id: 0
> bus info: pci@0000:03:00.0
> logical name: wmaster0
> version: 01
> serial: 00:26:b6:1f:e1:8c
> width: 64 bits
> clock: 33MHz
> capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list logical
> ethernet physical wireless
> configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ath9k ip=172.20.200.103
> latency=0 multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bgn
> resources: irq:17 memory:f0100000-f010ffff
>
> Please note also I am about 10 feet away from the router when this happens.
> Any input on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
>
> Description: Ubuntu 9.10
> Release: 9.10
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this bug, go to:
>
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-backports-modules-2.6.31/+bug/493342/+subscribe
>

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I am on a Samsung NC130 anynet netbook which also uses the Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express). I have similar problems with WiFi dropping out randomly. I am occasionally able to reconnect, but usually only a reboot fixes the issue.

According to the Ubuntu hardware Wiki, the Asus EeePC 1005HA has the same network hardware (Atheros 9285) and suffers from the same problem. The Wiki says installing a backport would help: "Wireless (Atheros AR9285) works out of the box, but connection is flaky. To fix, open a terminal and type 'sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-karmic'"
I installed the backport half a week ago and my connection has been much better since then. Stability improved and I have a much better reception.

That fixed it, thanks.

Joel

Looks like I was a little too fast. The problem still persists, although it's not as bad as before. The connection still drops out frequently, but comes back after around 30-60 seconds. I'm not sure what is causing this, but it's definitively one of the most annoying problems I've had with Ubuntu so far and, as sad as it is, but I might ditch it for this reason. A computer without a stable Internet connection is only half as interesting.

Found a solution prescribed by a friend. Installed "wicd" through the synaptic package manager in place of the default network manager. Can't explain why, but my network performance is a lot better.

obsolete

I have this problem on a Realtek RTL8192SE.